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MENASource

Oct 21, 2015

Top News: US General Wins Assurance Iraq Will Not Seek Russia Air Strikes

By MENASource

The United States won assurances from Iraq on Tuesday that it would not seek Russian air strikes against ISIS, said US Marine General Joseph Dunford. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, under pressure to show progress in his war against the extremist group, said on October 1 that he would welcome Russian air strikes in his […]

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2015

Battle to End Pharma Corruption Makes Progress, Needs Push

By Josh Cohen

As the ceasefire in the Donbas takes hold, Ukraine can now face its other existential threat: the endemic corruption that threatens the country’s long-term stability and prosperity. While graft within the Ukrainian government is widespread, corruption is perhaps most threatening in the area of government procurement. Public procurement corruption costs Kyiv billions, with as much […]

Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Oct 21, 2015

Polish-German Ties: A Return to the Past?

By Adam Twardowski

In late August, three weeks after assuming office, Poland’s President, Andrzej Duda, embarked on a well-received official visit to Berlin. It allayed concerns in some quarters that his presidency would resurrect the combative foreign policy his right-wing party, Law and Justice, practiced toward Germany from 2005 to 2007. At that time, prickly ties between Warsaw […]

Germany Poland

UkraineAlert

Oct 21, 2015

Ukrainians Face Another Election Headache

By Irena Chalupa

People are more important than political interests. This party will never betray you. Fair wages and pensions. People, not politicians. Let’s unite for Ukraine! Order and justice. These are just a few of the messages blaring at Kyiv residents from billboards. Ukraine’s capital is awash with campaign tents manned by students and retirees wearing smocks […]

Ukraine

MENASource

Oct 21, 2015

EconSource: IMF says Low Oil Prices, Regional Turmoil Will Keep Mideast Growth Subdued

By EconSource

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says a fall in oil prices and deepening turmoil in parts of the Middle East will keep real gross domestic product (GDP) growth subdued this year at 2.5 percent.

EconoGraphics

Oct 21, 2015

TTIP in Europe

By Global Business and Economics

On October 10th, hundreds of thousands of concerned German citizens marched in Berlin to protest the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). TTIP's critics argue it benefits corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens, while its proponents argue it provides significant economic growth.

Economy & Business European Union

SyriaSource

Oct 21, 2015

Europe, not the United States, Pays the Price of Failure in Syria

By Bassma Kodmani

Russian President Putin has decided that Syria is part of Russia’s near abroad, no less than Ukraine it seems, a territory where some vital national interests are at stake. He has predicted the fecklessness of Western powers well. Whether he is deploying his arsenal in Syria to fight Daesh or to bolster Assad, by moving […]

Syria

MENASource

Oct 21, 2015

Everything You Need to Know About the First Phase of Elections: Day Two

By Elissa Miller

Egypt’s parliamentary elections continued on Monday. Turnout remained low, the vote again dominated by women and elderly voters. Reports of electoral violations, in particular vote buying, were widespread.

Elections North Africa

MENASource

Oct 21, 2015

Everything You Need to Know About the First Phase of Elections: Day One

By Elissa Miller

On the eve of Egypt’s first parliamentary elections in three years, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called on Egyptians to vote. “Line up in front of polling stations and plant with your votes the hope for a bright tomorrow for our new Egypt,” Sisi said.

Elections North Africa

New Atlanticist

Oct 20, 2015

In Afghanistan, an Opportunity for the United States to Work with China and Iran

By Ashish Kumar Sen

EU Special Representative says Islamic State’s rise has created common ground for Washington, Tehran, and Beijing Franz-Michael Mellbin is the European Union’s Special Representative in Afghanistan. In a wide-ranging interview with the New Atlanticist’s Ashish Kumar Sen on Oct. 20, Mellbin discussed the need for a sustained US and NATO troop commitment in Afghanistan, the […]

Afghanistan China