Category: Blogs

Content

SyriaSource

Aug 2, 2016

The Evolution of Global Jihadist Ideology

By Mona Alami

On Thursday last week, the Nusra Front seceded from its parent organization al-Qaeda and rebranded under the name Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, a move many experts labeled as merely a name change. However, the change, sparked by the organization facing growing external and internal pressure, indicates the preeminence of local interests over global ideology as the […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Aug 1, 2016

US Airstrikes in Libya Seen as First Step Along Long Path to Defeat ISIS

By Mitch Hulse

The Libyan government must ensure that it can secure, stabilize, and unify the country, even if ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, is defeated with the help of US and Europe-backed airstrikes in the North African country, according to the Atlantic Council’s Karim Mezran. “If they succeed in defeating ISIS, but the government […]

International Organizations Libya

MENASource

Aug 1, 2016

An IMF Program for Egypt – Third Time Lucky?

By Mohsin Khan and Elissa Miller

Egyptian and IMF officials are starting negotiations this week in Cairo to finalize a 3-year program worth $12 billion. These negotiations will last about two weeks, after which the IMF will return to Washington with a “Letter-of-Intent” specifying the policies that the government of Egypt will undertake over the course of the program. If the […]

Economy & Business North Africa

MENASource

Aug 1, 2016

Why Did Tunisia’s Parliament Oust Prime Minister Habib Essid?

By Fatim-Zohra El Malki

In what was an anticipated result, Tunisia’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to oust Prime Minister Habib Essid on July 30. The vote came in the midst of intra-party divisions and questions over Essid’s capacity to lead the country successfully just 17 months after his nomination to the post. Although expected, the result and the uncertainty over […]

North Africa
Donald Trump, Jan. 9, 2016 (photo: Evan Guest)

NATOSource

Aug 1, 2016

The Logic Behind Our Alliances

By Charles Lane, Washington Post

Perhaps it would help, given recent events in U.S. politics, to review the rationale for U.S. security commitments to allies in Europe and the Far East.

NATO Russia

UkraineAlert

Aug 1, 2016

Trump Embraces Putin and Alienates Rust Belt Voters with Eastern European Roots

By Diane Francis

Hillary Clinton’s campaign bus rattles over potholes and bumps in the US Rust Belt while Donald Trump flits around on his private jet. Such optics never seem to hurt Trump or, conversely, to help Hillary, but much depends on voters in the Rust Belt, notably in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Trump may be a master of […]

Russia Ukraine

SyriaSource

Aug 1, 2016

How the Microcosm of the Syrian War Was Encircled

By Faysal Itani

Some four years after rebels captured much of Syria’s largest city, the regime and its allies finally encircled their territory in Aleppo. Through the final week of July 2016, these forces severed the last remaining opposition supply line, Castello Road, and likely intend to besiege rebel-held parts of the city and their estimated 300,000 inhabitants. […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Aug 1, 2016

Finding Ground Truth in Syria: Bringing Light to a Confused Information Environment

By Eric Wolterstorff

The situation in Syria is far more complex than what people have been describing. Unfortunately, the people who are responsible for understanding Syria strongly disagree with each other about who the prime actors are, who influences the country, the influence of actors relative to each other, and the overall state of the country. The current […]

Syria
Donald Trump, Dec. 16, 2015 (photo: Gage Skidmore)

NATOSource

Aug 1, 2016

Mr. Trump, NATO is an Alliance, Not a Protection Racket

By Michael McFaul, Washington Post

The United States’ greatest “return on investment” from our alliances does not come from increases in their military spending.

NATO Russia

MENASource

Jul 29, 2016

Turkish-Western Relations After the Attempted Coup

By H.A. Hellyer

As different capitals in the West form and inform their policies on Turkey in the aftermath of the attempted coup of July 15, three guiding analytical frames ought to clarify Turkey’s relationship with the West. The first relates to Turkey’s position within the international system; the second relates to the attempt at political change in […]

Turkey
Load More