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MENASource

Aug 10, 2016

Can Riyadh Make the Case for Stronger Partnership?

By Frederic C. Hof

The leaders of the Saudi Kingdom worry that the foundation undergirding a 70-year partnership with the United States is eroding. A pro-Iran narrative assigning the fatherhood of jihadist extremism to Saudi Arabia picks up steam, while White House denizens make no secret of their displeasure with the Kingdom. Even the President of the United States […]

Iran Saudi Arabia
General Denis Mercier, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, May 18, 2016 (photo: NATO)

NATOSource

Aug 9, 2016

Top NATO Commander Urges Political Leaders to be as Ready as Soldiers

By Sam Jones

[W]hile Nato’s troops are ready for a rapid reaction on home turf, the heads of government in its member states are not, warns its top military commander….

Intelligence NATO

MENASource

Aug 9, 2016

Calculating the Cost of Egypt’s IMF Deal

By H.A. Hellyer

In the past five years, Cairo’s rulers have been involved in discussions with the IMF for a program three times. It has never been closer than it is now to signing off on one – but that does not mean that the challenges have suddenly disappeared. On the contrary – they are potentially larger than […]

Economy & Business North Africa

IranSource

Aug 9, 2016

Aggressive Saudi Policies Toward Iran Unlikely to Succeed

By Shahir Shahidsaless

Iranian-Saudi hostilities peaked during the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war when Saudi Arabia poured billions of dollars into financing Saddam Hussein with the aim of toppling the Iranian government, which had promoted the export of its revolution.

New Atlanticist

Aug 9, 2016

Was de Gaulle Right on Britain’s Role in Europe?

By Stanley Sloan

French President Charles de Gaulle in 1963 vetoed the British application to join the European Community (EC)—the precursor of today’s European Union (EU). The British decision to leave the EU in a so-called Brexit referendum would not have surprised the great de Gaulle at all. After many years of British refusal to consider membership in […]

European Union France

UkraineAlert

Aug 9, 2016

Memo to Ukrainian Government: Privatization Can Succeed if You Get Out of the Way

By Basil Kalymon

On July 18, Ukraine’s most recent attempt at privatization came to a disappointing conclusion. Odesa’s petrochemical plant, OPZ, was placed up for auction, but after the government set a minimum price of $520 million, no qualified bidders came forward. As a consequence, the state still owns the enterprise, which continues to impose losses on the […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Aug 9, 2016

In Ukraine, Two Steps Forward and One Step Back: Procurement Reform Advances, Slowly

By Josh Cohen

Many changes have occurred in Ukraine since the Euromaidan, but the country still struggles mightily with corruption. Those efforts are symbolized in the ongoing fight to reform Ukraine’s corrupt procurement practices. For years, links between government officials and Ukraine’s “pharma mafia” resulted in the theft of approximately $100 million of the Ministry of Health’s $250 […]

Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Aug 9, 2016

India’s Membership to Nuclear Supplier Group Will Bolster Civil Nuclear Efforts

By Pramit Pal Chaudhuri

This article is part of a series. India’s recent drive to become a full member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is part of a two-pronged attempt by New Delhi to revive a moribund Indian civilian nuclear industry. Many, especially in India, have portrayed it as a quixotic act of diplomacy by New Delhi because […]

China Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Aug 8, 2016

South African Municipal Elections Illuminate Wavering Position for Ruling Party

By Mitch Hulse

The African National Congress’ (ANC) defeat in critical municipalities during the local elections held on August 3 has revealed cracks in South Africa’s ruling political party and has highlighted the diminishing influence of President Jacob Zuma, according to the Atlantic Council’s Chloë McGrath. “The results of this municipal election have certainly created significant shockwaves for […]

Elections Politics & Diplomacy

SyriaSource

Aug 8, 2016

Breaking the Siege of Aleppo Improves Jaish al-Fateh’s Standing with Syrians

By Saleem al-Omar

On Saturday, opposition forces broke the regime’s siege on Aleppo. Though the situation is critical, Syrians in opposition territories are rejoicing at the news. The opposition’s advance came as the opposition coalition known as Jaish al-Fateh, which is dominated by Islamist groups, showed unprecedented unity among groups that are normally fragmented and operating individually. The […]

Syria
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