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SyriaSource

Mar 18, 2016

Russia’s Withdrawal from Syria is not a Defeat

By Faysal Itani

Shortly after Russia announced it would withdraw most of its forces from Syria, the first Russian military aircraft left Hmeimim air base. This was quite abrupt and unexpected but it was not shocking, nor did it indicate that Russian fortunes and commitment in Syria have collapsed. More likely, the withdrawal shows Russia’s sufficient if incomplete […]

Syria

SyriaSource

Mar 18, 2016

Behind the Russian Withdrawal

By Daniel R. DePetris

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that he would begin a withdrawal of military assets from Syria caught nearly every observer of the conflict by surprise—even close military advisers in the Kremlin. After six months of bombing, over 9,000 strike sorties, and the deployment of approximately 4,000 Russian personnel, Putin’s declaration of “mission accomplished” is a […]

Syria

MENASource

Mar 18, 2016

Top News: White House says ready to help ICC genocide probe in Syria, Iraq

By MENASource

The White House on Thursday said it was ready to support an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into alleged genocide carried out by ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

MENASource

Mar 18, 2016

Top News: Judicial Committee Freezes Assets of Four Rights Activists in 2011 NGO Case

By EgyptSource

A judicial committee overseeing a five-year-old investigation into illegal foreign funding allegations ordered on Thursday the freezing of assets of four Egyptian human rights activists and their families. Egypt’s state-news agency MENA reported on Thursday that Cairo Criminal Court will review the commission’s decision on Saturday. It added that Hossam Bahgat, Gamal Eid and two […]

MENASource

Mar 18, 2016

EconSource: Egypt Central bank Raises Key Interest Rates

By EconSource

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) raised its key interest rates on Thursday by 150 basis points to curb inflationary pressures. The bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised the overnight deposit rate to 10.75 percent from 9.25 percent and the overnight lending rate to 11.75 percent from 10.25 percent.

UkraineAlert

Mar 18, 2016

Fighting Back: New Bill Aims to Counter Russian Disinformation

By Amanda Abrams

Russia’s attempts to win over hearts and minds in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and beyond are succeeding—in large part because of the United States’ disengagement in the information arena, say experts. In response, Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) introduced a bill on March 16 that would significantly beef up the United States’ counter-propaganda […]

Europe & Eurasia Russia

SyriaSource

Mar 17, 2016

Putin and Assad: Is There a Split?

By Frederic C. Hof

Speculation abounds on the relationship between Moscow’s military drawdown announcement and the state of bilateral relations between Russia and Syria’s Assad regime. Does the Russian move indicate a split between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad? If there is a split, is it strategic or tactical? If these parties are diverging, what are the implications […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2016

Human Rights, Democratic Reform at the Top of Obama’s Agenda in Cuba, says Susan Rice

By Ashish Kumar Sen

President will make historic visit to Havana on March 20 Human rights and democratic reform will be at the top of US President Barack Obama’s agenda when he visits Cuba next week and meets with Cuban President Raúl Castro as well as civil society leaders of his choosing, and not those handpicked by Havana, according […]

Brazil Colombia
Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski, March 2, 2016

NATOSource

Mar 17, 2016

Foreign Minister: Poland Wants to be ‘Protected Right Now’

By Judy Dempsey, Strategic Europe

Excerpts from interview of Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski by Judy Dempsey, Senior Associate at Carnegie Europe and editor in chief of “Strategic Europe.”

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Mar 17, 2016

Japan Looks to Seize Opportunity Created by Iran Nuke Deal

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with Yasuyuki Matsunaga of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Tehran this summer will send a strong signal that Japan is ready to ramp up its engagement with Iran, according to Yasuyuki Matsunaga of the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Japan, which imports most of its energy, […]

Iran Japan
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