Category: Blogs

The Art of Burial During War

By Hikmat al-Habbal

In Syria, another tragedy begins after death. People who went out on the streets to change the status quo are surprised at how burial methods have changed and Syrians’ rituals around death are disappearing.

Paul Manafort’s Ukrainian Legacy

By Sergii Leshchenko

I have seen Paul Manafort twice in my life. The first time was in 2007 during a Ukrainian lunch at Morosani Hotel in Davos, Switzerland, where Viktor Yanukovych came to speak. The second time was at a solemn reception in honor of Yanukovych’s 2010 inauguration at the Ukrainian House in Kyiv; Manfort arrived with oligarch […]

Sanctions as a Viable Action in a Complicated Environment

By Susan Waltz & Hossam Abouzahr

When the US Congress returns from its summer recess, the House of Representatives is slated to consider the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2016. The legislation—intended to expand the existing Syrian sanctions regime—is named after “Caesar,” the pseudonym of a military defector who smuggled some 53,000 photographs out of Syria in 2013 documenting the […]

Members of Congress: US Must Stand Strong for Allies and Principles

By Chris Coons and Charlie Dent, Philadelphia Inquirer

As a Republican representative from Pennsylvania and a Democratic senator from Delaware, we disagree on our fair share of issues.

Anti-Corruption Cases Are Finally Moving Forward in Ukraine

By Adrian Karatnycky

Something is stirring in Ukraine’s war on corruption. Since the Maidan protests of 2013-14 toppled the regime of former President Viktor Yanukovych and revealed the details of the criminality and venality of his inner circle, attacking corruption has been a focal point of public expectations. Important progress has been made on key reforms. Under the […]

Russia and Turkey: Rapprochement and Its Implications

By John E. Herbst

The rapprochement between Russia and Turkey is a significant geopolitical development that increases the leverage of each nation. Where the interests of Moscow and Ankara do not conflict, their new relationship will be useful to both. Yet their different interests limit the significance of the new amity.

Future Tense: Karimov’s Bitter Legacy in Uzbekistan

By Sabine Freizer

On September 1, Uzbekistan will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary of independence, but for the first time without its long-time president, Islam Abduganievich Karimov leading the dancing and music-filled celebrations in the capital Tashkent. Karimov suffered a stroke on August 27 and it is most likely that the seventy-eight-year-old, who was already in poor health, has […]

France, Germany, and Poland Call for a European Security Council

By Germany's Federal Office

We want to strengthen the European Union and the foundations of European integration by proving its ability to act….

Vershbow: Russia’s Snap Military Exercises Straining Relations With NATO

By AP

Russia is increasingly conducting unannounced military exercises, straining its relationship with NATO, the alliance’s No. 2 official said Monday.

TTIP&TRADE in Action – September 1, 2016

By Global Business & Economics Program