Category: Blogs

The Effects of Suspending American Aid to Moderate Syrian Opposition Groups

By Hosam al-Jablawi

Multiple sources within moderate Syrian opposition groups have confirmed that the CIA has stopped supervising the distribution of logistical and military assistance to groups within the Free Army in northern Syria. According to these sources, fighters in these Syrian opposition groups who oppose Assad’s rule, and who receive salaries from the operations room known as […]

Reject Populists’ Slogans and Work Hard to Make Things Better, Gontareva Urges

By Melinda Haring

The governor of the National Bank of Ukraine may be diminutive, but she speaks powerfully. “For the previous two decades we were not brave enough,” Valeria Gontareva, 52, said in a March 8 interview. “The real transition from post-USSR to [a] modern competitive economy did not happen when Ukraine gained its independence.” Instead, Ukraine continued […]

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