Category: Blogs

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SyriaSource

Feb 2, 2018

The Destruction and Looting of Idlib’s Ancient Heritage by Extremists

By Saleem al-Omar

Volunteer teams are desperately attempting to preserve what remains of the archaeological heritage of Idlib, a city in north-western Syria. Most of these efforts have been unsuccessful because most of the city is under the control of jihadists. Any area with archaeological artifacts is at risk of looting by jihadist organizations known to operate in […]

Syria

Trade in Action

Feb 1, 2018

TRADE IN ACTION January 18

By Global Business & Economics Program

HEADLINESOn the EU side: Theresa May held the first of three cabinet meetings on Brexit just yesterday, ahead of EU trade negotiations.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

Trade in Action

Feb 1, 2018

TRADE IN ACTION January 12

By Global Business & Economics Program

HAPPY NEW YEAR- WE ARE BACK AND LOOK FORWARD TO AN INTERESTING 2018On the EU Side: After the end of Estonia’s term, Bulgaria has taken up the rotating six-month EU Council presidency.

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

UkraineAlert

Feb 1, 2018

Documentary Reveals All that Glitters in Russia Is Not Gold

By Diane Francis

Russian corruption will cast its shadow over South Korea’s Winter Olympics that will be held between February 9 and 25. For decades, the Games, notably the winter ones, have handed Russia its greatest public relations coups. Unable to deliver decent living standards or democracy to its people, the Kremlin has concentrated instead on gold medals […]

Russia

UkraineAlert

Feb 1, 2018

Ministry of Health Gets Major Shot in the Arm

By Josh Cohen

Seven years ago Olga Stefanyshyna took a leap of faith. Pregnant with her second child, she left a secure job and—along with Dmitry Sherembei and Inna Boiko—established a new NGO called Patients of Ukraine. The organization strives to ensure that all Ukrainians receive the high-quality medications they deserve. Without offices, funds or salaries, Stefanyshyna and […]

Ukraine

MENASource

Feb 1, 2018

Baghdad and KRG locked in a standoff

By Dr. Nussaibah Younis

Both Iran and the United States have been pushing Iraq and the KRG to normalize their relationship, but Baghdad’s maximalist approach means the KRG is likely to hold out until after the May 2018 elections to make a deal. Baghdad is demanding the return of Khurmala oil field from the Kurdistan Regional Government, and is […]

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

MENASource

Jan 31, 2018

Big trouble in little Aden

By Sama'a Al-Hamdani

The city of Aden was ostensibly the only part of Yemen where post-conflict reconstruction was viable, especially since the area of the conflict has been declared a Houthi-free zone since July 22, 2015.  Subsequently, the residents of the city were seemingly united in that the majority are southern, Sunni, and anti-Houthi/Saleh. But now the conflict […]

Yemen

New Atlanticist

Jan 31, 2018

Trump’s ‘unity’ speech draws political battle lines for the year ahead

By John T. Watts

Touted as a speech of unity, US President Donald J. Trump’s first State of the Union address is likely to do little to mend the divisions and gridlock in Washington. The speech on January 30 did reflect the maturation of Trump in the role of president along with that of his administration. It was a […]

UkraineAlert

Jan 31, 2018

Can Ukraine Survive Without the IMF?

By Sergey Fursa

Many were insulted by a letter from the International Monetary Fund to Ukraine’s presidential administration critical of the president’s bill on the High Anticorruption Court. Ukrainian VIPs proved to be touchy. Considering how they take offense at critical newspaper articles, imagine what they think when clerks, whom they find inferior, start writing to them directly. […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jan 31, 2018

Another Missed Opportunity: Russia Evades Designation for Religious Repression

By Clifford D. May and Thomas J. Reese, S.J.

In 2017, for the first time ever, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that Russia be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for the religious repression occurring there and for its exportation of such repression to Ukraine. USCIRF’s primary role is to monitor countries engaging in or tolerating “systematic, ongoing, egregious […]

Russia Ukraine
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