Category: Blogs

Russia’s Brinkmanship Raising Tensions in Europe

By Jeremy Diamond and Greg Botelho, CNN

The war of words between America and Russia is escalating. So, too, is the movement of implements of war — from U.S. fighter jets to Russian nuclear weapons.

Russian Ambassador Warns of ‘Risks’ Should Sweden Join NATO

By The Local (Sweden)

On Thursday, Russia’s ambassador to Sweden, Viktor Tatarintsev, hit out in an interview with the Dagens Nyheter daily at what he called an “aggressive propaganda campaign” by Swedish media.

Top News: ISIS Expands into Yemen

By MENASource

At least thirty-one people were killed on Wednesday and dozens wounded in five simultaneous bombings claimed by the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) at Shia mosques and offices in Sana’a, medics and witnesses said.

Top News: Foreign Ministry Defends Egypt’s Judiciary From Foreign Criticism Over Death Sentences

By EgyptSource

Egypt’s foreign affairs ministry on Wednesday said it rejected some countries “offending the Egyptian judiciary,” following mass death sentences on Tuesday against over 100 defendants including ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

EconSource: Saudi Arabia to Discuss Broad Oil Cooperation Agreement with Russia

By EconSource

The oil ministers of Russia and Saudi Arabia plan to discuss a broad cooperation agreement today at an economic forum in St. Petersburg.

Switching Spymasters Amid War is Risky

By Brian Mefford

Valentin Nalyvaichenko, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), is in trouble again. On June 15, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was “unsatisfied” with Nalyvaichenko’s work. Three days later, Ukraine’s parliament dismissed him. At a time when the Minsk II ceasefire agreement is a ceasefire in name only and the threat of Russian espionage, sabotage, […]

Open Russia’s Khodorkovsky Envisions a Russia Without Putin

Someday, predicts Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia—freed from the authoritarian grip of President Vladimir Putin—could be an ally of the United States, an economically strong democracy, and even a responsible member of both NATO and the European Union. And even though that day may be a long way off, Washington shouldn’t waste any time getting ready for […]

How NATO Is Meeting New Threats

By Jens Stoltenberg And Philip M. Breedlove, Wall Street Journal

This month more than 15,000 troops from 22 nations are taking part in Allied Shield, a series of exercises designed to test the strength and readiness of NATO and allied armed forces.

TTIP Action – June 16

By Global Business & Economics Program

After suffering a stinging rebuke from his fellow Democrats in the House, President Obama is relying on GOP leaders such as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy to apply renewed pressure on Democrats in an effort to round up enough votes to move TPA forward. According to McCarthy, “The best option right now” would be for […]

Protecting Refugees in Protracted Emergencies in the Middle East

By Bill Frelick

Um Ghassan was eleven in 1948 when her family fled Haifa. They joined the Palestinian exodus to Jordan, and later moved to Syria. “They welcomed us like we were their relatives,” she said. Decades later, when fighting broke out in Syria in 2011, Um Ghassan initially stayed in her house. “I would never leave my […]