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EconoGraphics

Nov 29, 2016

The United States Needs China and Vice-Versa

By Filippos Letsas

Over the last decade, China’s large holdings of US debt have helped the Bank of China keep the value of the renminbi artificially low. This strengthened China’s competitive position in the global markets, allowing for cheaper Chinese exports and contributed significantly to China’s large trade surplus, which now accounts for about half of the total US trade deficit.

China Economy & Business

MENASource

Nov 29, 2016

Every Street Corner is the Front Line in Mosul

By Mustafa Habib, NIQASH

Wisam al-Zubaidi is a member of one of Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism troops. But right now he isn’t fighting, he is in a Baghdad hospital nursing a bullet wound in his foot. At a battle east of Mosul, he and his battalion were ambushed by the extremist group known as the Islamic State, which Iraqi forces […]

Iraq

UkraineAlert

Nov 29, 2016

Is It Prudent or Paranoid to Worry about Russia’s Influence in the Baltics?

By Jakub Janda

Russia has been busy spreading its influence in Europe and Eurasia. Alexander J. Motyl worries that the Baltic states are “the most vulnerable to a complete [Russian] takeover,” and security expert Paul D. Miller predicts that World War III could break out in Latvia. Last month Lithuania issued a manual on what to do if […]

Northern Europe Russia

SyriaSource

Nov 28, 2016

The Loss of Syria’s Children, and with Them, the Loss of Syria’s Future

By Saleem al-Omar

In the Gulf countries, we hear about people who do not possess citizenship, like the Bedoon of the Emirates. Because the country’s government does not recognize them as citizens, they do not grant them personal identity, travel documents, or citizenship. While this subject has been studied in the Gulf, there is a comparable situation in […]

Syria

UkraineAlert

Nov 28, 2016

Has Putin Finally Stepped on His Own Rake in Syria?

By Stephen Blank

In October 2016 the Russian government made a significant announcement about its Syria policy that Western sources overlooked. Moscow announced that it supported the restoration of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s power throughout the country, something it had not stressed previously. This statement and its consequences merit serious scrutiny by the West because its implications are […]

Russia Turkey

New Atlanticist

Nov 28, 2016

Mr. Trump, Don’t Be Too Hasty About Lifting Russia Sanctions

By David Mortlock

The US approach to Russia, specifically the future of sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2014, is one of the many US foreign policies thrown into question by Donald Trump’s election as the next president of the United States. Quickly lifting these sanctions may simplify compliance efforts for the private sector […]

Russia

SyriaSource

Nov 28, 2016

Syrians’ Opinions about President-Elect Trump

By Hosam al-Jablawi

The recent American presidential election attracted a big following among Syrians of all different political orientations. Most Syrians considered the outcome of the election critical to the future of their country; as such, Syrians chose to root for a candidate based on his or her statements on the Syrian crisis. Overall, loyalists of the Syrian […]

Syria
Turkish and Ukrainian generals at NATO headquarters, May 21, 2014

NATOSource

Nov 25, 2016

Report: At Least Two Turkish Military Officials Seeking Asylum in Belgium

By Robin Emmott, Reuters

At least two Turkish military officials, who were at NATO until they were fired by Ankara in September, are seeking asylum in Belgium, where the alliance has its headquarters.

Germany NATO
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Nov. 18, 2016

NATOSource

Nov 25, 2016

Secretary General: Turkey has Changed A Number of Personnel in NATO’s Command Structure

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

Turkey has the right to prosecute those behind the failed coup, but of course it is important that this is done in accordance with the rule of law

NATO Security & Defense
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, June 15, 2016

NATOSource

Nov 23, 2016

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter: US Policies on NATO and Russia

By Ash Carter, Survival

[T]he United States is preparing for a longer-term situation of tension and military competition with Russia.

NATO Russia