Category: Blogs

Discussion with Amb. Frederic Hof on the Anniversary of the Syrian War

By Frederic C. Hof and Faysal Itani

March 15 marks the anniversary of Syria’s war—a war that has changed the world. In light of this, Rafik Hariri Center senior fellow Faysal Itani conducts an interview with former Ambassador Frederic C. Hof on how the war has impacted the region and broader international community, with a specific look at how the United States’ […]

While All Eyes On Mosul, Extremists Return To Other Iraqi Provinces

By Mustafa Habib

In the town of Baiji in central-northern Iraq, a senior police commander has been recording attacks by extremists – almost every day. “Before, extremist attacks were more rare,” the police chief, Saad al-Azzawi, told NIQASH. “But over the past few weeks, the numbers have increased in a very frightening way.

When Political Realities Get in the Way of Transatlantic Growth

Political realities on both sides of the Atlantic have a significant impact on economic opportunity, and policymakers must address this dynamic in order to begin the process of stimulating European economic growth, José Manuel Barroso, a former president of the European Commission and former prime minister of Portugal, said at the Atlantic Council on March […]

Egypt Appoints Ambassador to NATO

By NATO, State Information Service

From Jens Stoltenberg, NATO:  I welcome very much that Egypt is establishing a mission to NATO and will appoint an ambassador to NATO.

Secretary General: NATO’s Operation in the Aegean Sea ‘Has Been a Success’

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

NATO’s presence in the Aegean Sea has been a success and has been important for different reasons.

Secretary General on ‘How NATO Can Step Up Its Efforts to Fight Terrorism’

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

Julian Barnes, Wall Street Journal: President Trump has said in addition to more defence spending he wants more of a focus on counter terrorism from NATO.

Secretary General: NATO Allies Making Progress on Defense Spending

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

At the Warsaw Summit last year we reaffirmed our pledge to invest more in defence

Will Ukraine Get Its Biggest Test in the Fight Against Corruption Right?

By Anastasia Krasnosilska

On March 2, Roman Nasirov, the head of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, was arrested on abuse of office charges. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has accused Nasirov of fraud and embezzlement amounting to $74 million. The Nasirov case is Ukraine’s biggest test in the fight against corruption so far, and it’s […]

Haste Makes Waste: Why President Trump’s Executive Actions May Delay Oil Pipelines and Permits

By David L. Goldwyn and Keith J. Benes

US President Donald J. Trump’s new actions intended to expedite approval of energy and infrastructure projects were hailed by industry groups and decried by environmentalists.   If those actions are implemented in ways that cut regulatory or procedural corners, they likely will slow down infrastructure development by increasing the risk of successful court challenges and trade […]