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IranSource

Jul 26, 2016

Sand Storms Turn Some Regions in Iran into “Hell”

By Fatemeh Aman

Iran is facing a series of environmental disasters this summer, including forest fires, record heat indexes in some provinces and sandstorms threatening the capital, Tehran. Namak (Persian Salt) Lake in Qom province, which once measured 200,000 hectares, has completely dried up because of climate change, the ill-considered construction of tens of dams and depleted underground […]

SyriaSource

Jul 25, 2016

Besieged Syrians Defy Hunger and Death with Makeshift Innovations

By Hosam al-Jablawi

Thousands of Syrians in besieged areas across the country from all sides of the conflict fight daily to secure a livelihood and fulfill their basic needs using makeshift means, some which stand out for their spirit of innovation. Whereas some fortunate areas have been able to overcome the blockade through autonomous production initiatives and establishing […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Jul 25, 2016

Sowing Hope and Weeding Out Siege Profiteers

By Annia Ciezadlo

BEIRUT – In Madaya, a mountain village nestled between Damascus and the Syrian-Lebanese border, windowsills used to blossom with roses, jasmine, and the scented geraniums that people might once have used to flavor a delicate syrup for sweets. But now, instead of flowers, the windows are overflowing with cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchini.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jul 22, 2016

Brexit Highlights Growth Obstacles in the Eurozone

By Meghan Rowley

The United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union will have a negative impact on the European economy because it creates uncertainty and decreases business confidence for the foreseeable future, according to the International Monetary Fund’s recently updated World Economic Outlook. Beyond uncertainty, experts contend that the outcome of the June 23 vote on a […]

British General James Everard, March 12, 2015 (photo: Sgt. Lauren Buctha/US Army)

NATOSource

Jul 22, 2016

British General Appointed New Deputy Military Commander of NATO

By UK Ministry of Defense

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon today announced that Lieutenant General Sir James Everard KCB CBE has been appointed NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR).

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 21, 2016

Putting Turkey’s Crackdown in Context

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The Turkish government’s crackdown on its opponents must be seen in the context of the trauma inflicted on the country as a result of the failed coup, but it must not come at the cost of the viability of democratic institutions, according to the Atlantic Council’s Aaron Stein. “In the West, there is this tendency […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jul 21, 2016

India and the NSG: Unfinished Business

By Rakesh Sood

This article is part of a series. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) plenary meeting in Seoul ended on June 24 without resolving India’s request to join the group. The final statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting lacked an explicit reference to India’s application to join or an outline for a future course of […]

China India
US Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute, Dec. 9, 2014 (photo: NATO)

NATOSource

Jul 21, 2016

Time for a New EU Military HQ? The U.S. Says No

By Julian Barnes, Wall Street Journal

A new strategy paper by Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy chief, discussed the need for an autonomous defense capability

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Jul 20, 2016

The GCC Response to Turkey’s Failed Coup

By Giorgio Cafiero

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states hailed Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s triumph over last week’s failed coup attempt. The Council’s powerhouse Saudi Arabia expressed support for Turkey’s “elected government” with “constitutional legitimacy.” By detaining Turkey’s military attaché to Kuwait on Sunday at Dammam Airport, at Ankara’s request, the Saudis also demonstrated their willingness to collaborate […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

UkraineAlert

Jul 20, 2016

How the GOP Abandons Ukraine

By Jeffrey Gedmin

When asked recently why he turned up in Moscow last December to help celebrate the tenth anniversary of RT, Michael Flynn rambled about wanting to deliver stern lectures to the Russians. The retired US Lt. Gen.—who now serves as foreign policy adviser to Republican nominee Donald J. Trump—was seated at a gala dinner next to […]

Russia Ukraine
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