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UkraineAlert

Dec 1, 2015

Mykolayiv Makes a Surprising Turn Toward the West

By Hannah Thoburn

Built on a series of spits and peninsulas, the Ukrainian city of Mykolayiv feels surrounded by water. It is here that in 1789, Russian Prince Gregory Potemkin built the shipyards that would repair Russian Empire ships fighting the Ottoman Empire, shipyards that remained of such importance that the city was closed to foreigners for most […]

Ukraine

SyriaSource

Dec 1, 2015

The Opposition Remains Resilient as the Regime Adopts New Tactics

By Saleem al-Omar

Aided by Russian air support, the regime has made substantial progress in Aleppo’s southern countryside, and rural areas surrounding Latakia, dealing a blow to the opposition’s resolve. In one recent battle, seven Russian warplanes flew in formation, in contrast to the regime planes that usually fly solo, and pummeled opposition fighters. Once the planes finished, […]

Syria

New Atlanticist

Dec 1, 2015

Clinton to Maduro: Respect Vote’s Outcome

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Democratic presidential frontrunner says Venezuelan government doing ‘all it can to rig’ parliamentary elections The Venezuelan government must respect the outcome of parliamentary elections scheduled for Dec. 6, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said at the Atlantic Council on Nov. 30. “As the people of Venezuela go the ballot box this weekend, it […]

Venezuela
Montenegro's Deputy Prime Minister Igor Luksic and Defense Minister Milica Pejanovic-Djurisic, with Secretary General Jens Stoltenber, Nov. 25, 2015

NATOSource

Nov 30, 2015

In Less Than Forty Eight Hours, NATO Foreign Ministers Vote on Montenegro Joining the Alliance

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

Excerpts from Pre-ministerial press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, November 30, 2015.

NATO Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Nov 30, 2015

US Response to Migrant Crisis an ‘Existential Issue’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Former State Department official, R. Nicholas Burns, says United States needs to do more to help Syrian war refugees Americans need to repudiate the “deeply offensive” anti-migrant rhetoric coming from Republican presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Ben Carson that runs contrary to the founding principles of the United States of America, said R. Nicholas Burns, […]

European Union Germany

SyriaSource

Nov 30, 2015

The Churches of Deir Ezzor

By Fikram

Once home to a bustling community of Christians, church bells have not tolled in Deir Ezzor for three and a half years. Whether intentionally or collaterally, regime, the Islamic State (ISIS), and the Nusra Front have destroyed Deir Ezzor’s churches. Now, only memories remain of the city’s four churches and those that attended them.

Syria

UkraineAlert

Nov 30, 2015

“The human rights situation in Crimea today is deplorable,” German MP Says

By Christoph Bergner

Editor’s Note: This piece is adapted from a speech Dr. Christoph Bergner, a member of Germany’s Bundestag, gave at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation on October 21, 2015. I would like to thank the organizers of this event for making human rights issues in Crimea the main topic. Even if other news is currently making headlines, we […]

Russia Ukraine

MENASource

Nov 30, 2015

EconSource: Russia Bans Imports From Turkey, Egypt Offers Replacement Goods

By MENASource

Russia’s government announced sanctions against Turkey on Monday, banning imports of fruit and vegetables, but warned that the scale of restrictions may increase. In the wake of the downing of a Russian jet that violated Turkish air space—Russia, one of Turkey’s largest markets for exports after Germany—has already halted most tourism to Turkey, which is […]

MENASource

Nov 30, 2015

Top News: Germany Considers Sending up to 1,200 Troops on Syria Mission

By MENASource

The German government is planning to send up to 1,200 troops to help in the fight against ISIS. Defense Ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff said Monday that the figure would be an “upper limit” for the number of troops needed to provide support for and operate reconnaissance aircraft, tanker planes, and a warship.

SyriaSource

Nov 30, 2015

Top News: November 30, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Negotiations seek Syria rebel exit from Homs city– Clashes erupt between Syria Islamists, Kurds– Assad says his enemies boosting support for terrorists– Germany considers sending up to 1,200 troops on Syria mission– Russia-Turkey relations under greater strain as sanctions against Turkey announced– EU, Turkey seek better relations at emergency refugee summit– Iraqi military tells […]

Syria