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New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2016

Rallying the Transatlantic Community Toward a Greater Purpose

By Damon Wilson

A new era of US leadership can lead an effort to help adapt, revitalize, and defend an international order that advances security, democratic governance, and prosperity, says Atlantic Council’s Damon Wilson Europe is in crisis. The continent today faces a confluence of crises far more profound than most realize. As a result, the United States […]

European Union France

UkraineAlert

Feb 3, 2016

Why Do Ukraine’s Reform Ministers Keep Quitting?

By Anders Åslund

On February 3, Ukraine’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade Aivaras Abromavicius announced his resignation at a press briefing with a big bang that may unleash a political crisis and shake the country’s fragile finances. Abromavicius, a 40-year-old investment banker of Lithuanian origin who has lived in Kyiv for many years as a fund manager, […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Feb 3, 2016

Only Presidential Leadership Can Avert Ukraine’s Perfect Storm

By Adrian Karatnycky

The February 3 resignation of Ukraine’s Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius is a signal that the country’s efforts to dramatically reduce corruption and rent-seeking are meeting with serious resistance. The resignation also exposes how Ukraine’s political system works. Just as in established democracies, technocrats and experts have to make common cause with politicians and ideologues. And […]

Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Feb 3, 2016

Americans and Iranians Grappled Long Before the Nuclear Talks

By Mitch Hulse

‘Sports diplomacy’ laid the groundwork for detente, says US official Decades before the United States and Iran agreed on the historic nuclear deal, international sports federations were working together to break down diplomatic barriers and prejudices between the two countries. Since 1998, wrestling rings and volleyball courts in Tehran and California—not Washington conference rooms—have been […]

Iran

MENASource

Feb 3, 2016

The Regimen of Sisi’s Non-Regime

By H.A. Hellyer

It has been almost five years since the head of the Mubarak regime, Hosni Mubarak himself, was removed from office—a moment many heralded as the end of the Egyptian state regime. Today, a new political reality exists. Is it appropriate  to speak of a new, singular, cohesive, Egyptian regime? Or is the picture actually far […]

North Africa

MENASource

Feb 3, 2016

Top News: New offensive by Assad’s forces overshadows Syria peace talks

By MENASource

Rebels said the new assault on Aleppo, backed by heavy Russian air strikes, was unprecedented and that the divided northern city might soon be encircled. Russia will not stop its air strikes on Syria until armed groups are defeated, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday.

UkraineAlert

Feb 3, 2016

Russian Propaganda in Ukraine: Fighting Phantoms

By Roman Shutov

For Ukrainians, the war in eastern Ukraine has become an everyday reality. Only two years ago, though, no one in the country believed war was possible—and certainly no one expected that propaganda would be one of its main weapons. Since Ukraine’s independence in 1991, little attention was paid to building a system that would ensure […]

Russia Ukraine

SyriaSource

Feb 3, 2016

Top News: February 3, 2016

By SyriaSource

– New offensive by Assad’s forces overshadows Syria peace talks– Jordanians ‘at boiling point’ over Syria refugees– Donors face record request of $9 billion to aid Syrians– Turkey-Syria border nearly ISIS-free, says Kerry

Syria

MENASource

Feb 3, 2016

Top News: Rights Group Says Violations Against Journalists Doubled in Second Half of 2015

By EgyptSource

Violations against the press and media personnel in Egypt doubled over the second half of 2015 compared to the first half, according to the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE).

MENASource

Feb 3, 2016

EconSource: Minister Says UAE GDP Growth Seen at 3.5 Percent in 2016

By EconSource

The economy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to grow about 3.5 percent in 2016 as the country moves forward with strategic projects despite the global drop in oil prices, Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed al-Mansouri said.

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