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IranSource

Apr 28, 2017

Qalibaf and Raisi Run Populist Campaigns in Iran Elections

By Sina Azodi

As Iran’s May 19 presidential elections approach, incumbent President Hassan Rouhani is still favored to win. But he faces five opponents, including two conservatives who have the potential to pose a real challenge to him – Tehran mayor Mohamad-Baqer Qalibaf and Ibrahim Raisi, the custodian of Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad.

SyriaSource

Apr 27, 2017

Syrians in Lebanon Turned Away

By Hasan Arfeh

At the onset of Syria’s uprisings in 2011, Lebanon was the first stop for Syrians fleeing Bashar al-Assad’s regime and military service in the army. Lebanon and Syria share similarities in customs and traditions which has provided a sense of home to those fleeing nearby Damascus province and other Syrian towns. Yet, shifting conditions are now […]

Syria
https://www.flickr.com/photos/roryrory/8251837673/in/photolist-dzbPRk-5MWvsp-633Myw-62YwYF-633MEN-633NcL-62YxQa-62YyoZ-62Yx76-62Yy5M-633MqN-duwVQr-633NHf-doDGN8-85b5eg-633MjN-7R25DN-sw3Awf-7QXQrV-FAL1G1-Fqo4wf-62Yybz-7QXQug-9ZNRTN-7QXLB2-GuUNrt-7QXLJk-7QXL9z-sqxRp-7R24ib-7QXKCF-7R24bA-7R26n9-7QXMFn-7R24S9-qQ9iFH-7QXKrZ-7R277y-H77UBF-7R26Jq-DJtGFw-7R24rN-7QXLXk-7R271W-7QXN4V-7R25eu-7QXQev-7QXQjr-7QXMrn-7R22Lj

NATOSource

Apr 27, 2017

Brexit Puts European Security Cooperation at Risk

By By Giulia Paravicini, Politico Europe

Brussels is calling Theresa May’s bluff on security.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Apr 27, 2017

Ukrainian Officials Tout Banking Sector Reforms

By Jack Gloss

When considering the state of Ukraine’s banking reforms, it is important to consider not only what remains to be done, but how much the country has achieved, according to an economic adviser to the Ukrainian government. “The fact that Ukraine is even alive, and surviving, and growing today, is quite amazing given where it was […]

Ukraine

SyriaSource

Apr 27, 2017

Giving Diplomacy in Syria a Chance

By Frederic C. Hof

During the first six years of conflict in Syria, American diplomats tried to bring order to chaos but found themselves disabled by a White House determined not to alienate Iran. Consciously or not, the Trump administration has resurrected American diplomacy as a potential player in the Syrian crisis. It did so by using military force […]

Syria

MENASource

Apr 26, 2017

The Endless Battle in Taiz

By Maysaa Shuja al Deen

Taiz is the site of the longest-running battle ground in the Yemen war, which began when Houthi forces took over the city on March 25, 2015. Initially, the Houthis were confronted by peaceful demonstrations which they repressed heavily, killing six demonstrators in the process. The situation rapidly developed into armed conflict when the war erupted […]

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2017

A Decade After “Web War 1,” Former Estonian President Blasts EU Cyber Inertia

By Teri Schultz

Even as the pervasive and destructive capacity of cyberattacks becomes ever more evident with the alleged Russian meddling in European and American politics, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, a former president of Estonia, marvels at the European Union’s under-performance in dealing with the threat—and he’s pointed in his criticism.  “I think the [European] Commission, in particular the […]

Cybersecurity Northern Europe

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2017

Curb Your Enthusiasm. The Road Ahead for Macron is Hard

By Jeff Lightfoot

Observers of France’s elections can breathe a sigh of relief. The first round on April 23 resulted in centrist, liberal Emmanuel Macron of the En Marche! movement taking first place. He will face far-right National Front candidate Marine Le Pen, whose anti-EU, protectionist platform terrifies markets, in the runoff on May 7. The mere avoidance […]

France
http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/50714/photos/42502

NATOSource

Apr 26, 2017

Responding to Russia’s ‘Hybrid’ Threat

By Franklin D. Kramer and Lauren M. Speranza, U.S. News and World Report

Since its takeover of Crimea in 2014, Russia has become increasingly emboldened

Cybersecurity European Union

SyriaSource

Apr 26, 2017

Shia Pakistani Fighters in Syria

By Ali Alfoneh

Among Tehran’s Shia proxies participating in the Syrian civil war in defense of the Assad regime, the Pakistani Zeinabiyoun Brigade remains the most understudied. This may in part be due to the militia’s small size and limited contribution to the war, and because of the militia’s attempt to remain invisible to the prying eyes of […]

Syria