Category: Blogs

Yemen’s Geneva Epitaph

By Adam Simpson and Jordan Lesser-Roy

The failure of Yemen’s UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva that began on June 15 is an unfortunate—but expected—result. Given the scope of the looming humanitarian crisis, understanding the recent derailment is critical to preventing Yemen from becoming a disaster that overtakes even the carnage in Syria.

EconSource: Iraqi Kurds Seek to Attract Investors Through Bond Sale

By EconSource

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is planning to raise cash through its first ever bond sale. The bond seeks to fill a gaping hole in the KRG’s finances due to weaker oil-sale revenues amid an increasingly costly battle with the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL).

Time for Sweden to Join NATO

By Erik Brattberg & Henrik Breitenbauch, American Interest

For Sweden, NATO’s recent reinforcements in the Baltic Sea region are of course a welcome development, as they contribute to regional stability.

US Missile Defense Systems Must Adapt to Emerging High-Tech Threats

New dangers abound, from Russia to Iran to Asia-Pacific, warns Gen. James Cartwright Growing technological sophistication by countries and terrorist groups hostile to the United States are forcing the Pentagon to change long-held views about missile defense, said Gen. James E. Cartwright, Former Vice Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. “The landscape has […]

TTIP Action | June 25

By Global Business & Economics Program

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R, WI) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi (R, OH) joined House Speaker John Boehner (R, OH) for the enrollment of trade promotion authority legislation. Pictured along with them are Reps. Pete Sessions (R, TX), Ron Kind (D, WI), Jim Costa (D, CA), and Mike Quigley (D, […]

US General: Russian Military Presence in Ukraine Irrefutable

By AP

The commander of U.S. troops in Europe has dismissed claims by Russia that it is staying out of the Ukraine conflict, speaking of “clear and irrefutable evidence” to the contrary.

Nuclear Expert Outlines India’s ‘Command and Control’ Policy

By Larry Luxner

Retired Brigadier Arun Sahgal, one of India’s top experts on nuclear policy, reasserted his country’s “no first use” doctrine in a June 23 presentation to the Atlantic Council. Sahgal, Director of the New Delhi-based Forum for Strategic Initiative, doesn’t represent official thinking, but he spoke from thirty-six years of experience in the Indian Army. “India’s […]

Asian, Latin American Diplomats Debate TPP as Trade Bill Advances in Congress

With US lawmakers on the verge of granting the White House fast-track authority to negotiate complex free-trade accords, diplomats representing four of Washington’s eleven allies in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership—Chile, Japan, Peru, and Singapore—gathered June 23 at the Atlantic Council to discuss TPP’s implications. The event, sponsored by the council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, […]

Why the West Should Give Ukraine’s New Spymaster a Chance

By John E. Herbst

Late June in Kyiv can be beautiful. With clear skies, temperatures peaking in the high 70s, the natural beauty of the city and its citizens, it can be easy to forget that the country is at war. In part that is a result of the country’s success. A year ago, few would have predicted that […]

Top News: ISIS Storms Kobani and Hasaka in New Offensive

By MENASource

Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) fighters launched simultaneous attacks against the Syrian government in Hasaka and Kurdish militias in Kobani overnight. A Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) spokesman said ISIS entered Kobani from the west in five cars, deceptively flying the flag of the Free Syrian Army and then opened fire.