Content

SyriaSource

Oct 28, 2015

Iran and the Syrian Political Transition

By Frederic C. Hof

Whether or not Iran will accept an invitation to Syria-related discussions in Vienna this Friday with the United States, Russia, and others remains unknown, at least to the Department of State spokesman. Clearly Iran is a “stakeholder” in the Syrian conflict and a party vitally interested in that conflict’s outcome. Given its deep and abiding […]

Syria

MENASource

Oct 27, 2015

Libya: Pessimism of the Intellect, Optimism of the Will

By Karim Mezran

This old saying by the Italian political philosopher Antonio Gramsci may best summarize the most accurate perspective on the situation in Libya today.

Libya

MENASource

Oct 27, 2015

Run-offs in Egypt’s Parliamentary Race: A New First Phase?

By Omar Halawa

Last week, the High Elections Committee (HEC) announced the results of the first phase of Egypt’s parliamentary elections. With only four candidates securing their seats, another 436 candidates are contesting the remaining 222 seats in a runoff round which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday. 224 of those candidates are affiliated with twelve political […]

Elections North Africa

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2015

US Trade Representative Froman Confident Congress Will Back TPP

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A trade deal negotiated by the Obama administration and eleven other Pacific Rim countries, while not perfect, will eventually win bipartisan support from members of Congress, US Trade Representative Michael Froman said at the Atlantic Council on Oct. 27. “We are heading into a critical period for this effort,” Froman said. “At the end of […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs
Former Prime Minister of Sweden Carl Bildt, Feb. 13, 2015

NATOSource

Oct 27, 2015

Carl Bildt Warns of Continuous Cyber Conflict

By Carl Bildt, Project Syndicate

In a way, we are already in a low-level continuous conflict in cyberspace.

China Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2015

Poland’s Right Turn

By Michał Kobosko

Poland’s domestic political scene experienced a major shake-up after the main opposition party, Law and Justice (PiS), crushed the ruling Civic Platform (PO)-led coalition in the parliamentary election on Oct. 25. According to late exit polls, PiS will gain no less than 37 percent of the vote, while PO will get just 23 percent. A […]

Poland

MENASource

Oct 27, 2015

Top News: FJP Secretary General, Leading Member Detained

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s state-run news agency says security forces arrested the secretary general of the Freedom and Justice Party, the Muslim Brotherhood’s political wing, and another high-ranking Brotherhood member.

New Atlanticist

Oct 27, 2015

Engaging Youth for Pakistan’s Future

By Alejandro Alvarez

“Yes, Pakistan is facing lots of challenges. Yes, there are flaws in our system,” said Fakiha Ali, one of the Atlantic Council’s 2015 Emerging Leaders of Pakistan. “But if we are positive and try to build something good out of all those negatives, Pakistan would definitely have a great future very soon.” On Oct. 26, […]

Pakistan

SyriaSource

Oct 27, 2015

Top News: October 27, 2015

By SyriaSource

– Obama weighs moving US troops closer to front lines in Syria, Iraq– Russians, Iranians killed in Syria– ISIS blows up columns in Syria’s Palmyra while executing three captives– France hosts Syria talks on Tuesday– UN says 120,000 displaced in Syria in October– Oman minister meets Assad to discuss conflict– Turkey fires at Kurdish forces […]

Syria

MENASource

Oct 27, 2015

Top News: Turkey Fires at Kurdish Forces in Northern Syria

By MENASource

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu confirmed that the military targeted People’s Protection Units (YPG) Kurdish forces in northern Syria in an interview with Turkey’s ATV television late Monday.