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SyriaSource

Jan 30, 2016

Geneva: Pulling in the Same Direction

By Frederic C. Hof

If talks in Geneva under UN auspices between Syrian opposition and regime delegations are to be productive, the United States and its partners simply cannot act as even-handed, disinterested mediators and purveyors of diplomatic good offices, urging—as Secretary of State John Kerry does repeatedly—both sides to negotiate in good faith. This is not the time […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Jan 29, 2016

In Putin’s Russia, Intellectuals Trapped in a ‘Zone of Silence’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Writers debate ‘shrinking’ space for independent media Intellectuals in Russia today suffer a fate that they consider to be worse than death—being forced to remain silent. “Instead of killing us they offer to move us to the zone of complete silence,” said Ilya Danishevsky, Chief Editor of the Vremena Publishing House. While some may view this […]

Russia Ukraine

SyriaSource

Jan 29, 2016

Top News: January 29, 2016

By SyriaSource

Syrian opposition not in Geneva on the day of peace talksStarvation spreads before Syria peace talksIran coerces Afghans to fight in Syria, according to HRWSyrian Kurds plan attack to seal Turkish border

Syria

MENASource

Jan 29, 2016

Top News: Syrian opposition not in Geneva on the day of peace talks

By MENASource

UN officials said Syrian peace talks will begin in Geneva as planned Friday, despite an ongoing boycott by the main Syrian opposition group, which continues to stay away pending assurances from the UN chief on the implementation of Security Council resolutions related to humanitarian issues.

MENASource

Jan 29, 2016

A US War Resolution Against ISIS, Revisited

By Daniel R. DePetris

On December 6, 2015 President Barack Obama spoke to millions of Americans in a nationally televised address on the progress that has been made in the war against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in both Iraq and Syria.

Iraq Syria

MENASource

Jan 29, 2016

EconSource: Morocco Suspends Contacts with EU Delegation Over Trade Row

By EconSource

Morocco has suspended contacts with the European Union (EU) delegation in Rabat over a trade dispute, a move that could slow multi-million dollar development projects.

MENASource

Jan 29, 2016

Five Years On: Egypt’s Minorities

By Elissa Miller

The climate for Egypt’s religious minorities has improved little since the 2011 revolution. Coptic Christians, Shias, Baha’is, and atheists have been subject to discrimination, hate-speech, arrests, and violence under successive governments.

North Africa

MENASource

Jan 29, 2016

Top News: Reuters Says EgyptAir Mechanic Suspected in Russian Plane Crash; Russia, EgyptAir Deny

By EgyptSource

In a report Friday Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter, said an EgyptAir mechanic whose cousin joined the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in Syria is suspected of planting a bomb that brought down a Russian passenger plane in Egypt late October. A senior security official at the airline denied that any of its […]

Trade in Action

Jan 28, 2016

TTIP&TRADEinAction – January 28, 2016

By Global Business & Economics Program

New Zealand announced this week that it will host the signing of the TPP in Auckland on Thursday, February 4. (New Zealand Government)

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

SyriaSource

Jan 28, 2016

Geneva: Is That All There Is?

By Frederic C. Hof

Without doubt the High Negotiations Committee of the Syrian opposition will authorize and direct its delegation to go to Geneva to engage in indirect “proximity talks” under the supervision of UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. Whatever burdens have been borne by this opposition for the better part of five years, it simply cannot risk […]

Syria
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