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MENASource

Jun 12, 2015

ISIL, Iraq, and Syria: The Strategy Challenge

By Frederic C. Hof

Once again, President Barack Obama is taking grief for having committed truth on the subject of strategy: this time acknowledging the incompleteness thereof in the context of training the Iraqi national army.

Iraq Syria

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2015

Top US General in Europe says NATO Alliance is Strong

By Larry Luxner

Nine months after NATO’s summit in Wales, and with less than a year to go before NATO’s next gathering in Warsaw, the Pentagon’s highest-ranking officer in Europe says the 28-member alliance stands ready to confront any threats it may face. Lt. Gen. Frederick “Ben” Hodges, Commanding General of the US Army Europe, labeled Russia’s recent […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2015

Don’t Fall for Putin’s Game, Warn European Officials

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Kremlin strategy seen rooted in distracting West with propaganda and splintering alliance Russian President Vladimir Putin has a strategy clearly aimed at dividing the Western alliance arrayed against him and this must not be allowed to succeed, two European officials said June 12. “If we understand that one of the goals of Mr. Putin is […]

Russia Ukraine
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Macedonian Prime Minister Milo Đjukanović, June 11, 2015

NATOSource

Jun 12, 2015

NATO Seeks Higher Montenegro Public Support for Membership

By Predrag Milic, AP

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in Podgorica that Montenegro’s membership bid is in “the crucial phase” and that it will be discussed at NATO’s ministerial meeting scheduled for December.

NATO Security & Defense
Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak at Wroclaw Global Forum, June 12, 2015

NATOSource

Jun 12, 2015

Poland Says Next NATO Summit Should Invite Macedonia, Montenegro to Join

By Wiktor Szary, Reuters

The former Yugoslav republics of Macedonia and Montenegro should be invited to join NATO when it holds its next summit in Warsaw in 2016, Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said on Friday.

NATO Poland

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2015

With World Focused on Ukraine, Russia Makes Moves on Georgia

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Georgian official draws parallels between Putin’s treaties with breakaway provinces and annexation of Crimea While the world focuses its attention on the Ukraine crisis, Russia has been quietly grabbing territory from another neighbor—Georgia. The Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine is just the latest provocation by Russia in its neighborhood, Georgia’s Foreign Minister, Tamar Beruchashvili, reminded an […]

Moldova The Caucasus

MENASource

Jun 12, 2015

Top News: UNESCO Heritage Site Destroyed in Sana’a

By MENASource

Saudi-led airstrikes targeting Houthi strongholds destroyed historic houses in the Old City of Sana’a, a UNESCO world heritage site. At least five civilians were killed and others buried under the rubble, medical officials and witnesses said.

MENASource

Jun 12, 2015

Top News: Police Officer Sentenced to Fifteen Years for Death of Activist Sabbagh; Witnesses Face Retrial

By EgyptSource

An Egyptian court has sentenced a police officer to fifteen years in prison for the killing of a protester during a peaceful demonstration in Cairo in January.

MENASource

Jun 12, 2015

EconSource: World Bank Summary of Global Economic Prospects for MENA

By EconSource

After an easing in tensions in early 2014, the Middle East and North Africa region is again experiencing major—and increasing—security challenges. In addition, since mid-2014, it is also adjusting to the oil price drop.

MENASource

Jun 12, 2015

Why Iran’s Plan B in Syria Will Not Work

By Hanin Ghaddar

Earlier this month, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (ICRG) Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani made a surprise visit to Syria near the frontlines outside Latakia, where he vowed that upcoming developments in Syria will soon “surprise” the world.

Iran Syria