Category: Blogs

In Afghanistan, President Ghani’s First Steps Will Be Critical

By Shuja Nawaz

President Ashraf Ghani took over from President Hamid Karzai in Kabul today in an historic transition. A long dispute over the election result was resolved with a rare compromise that brought Dr. Ghani’s opponent, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, into government in a new position, as “chief executive,” that is shaped as a kind of prime ministership. […]

Prime Minister Stubb: Finland Should have Joined NATO in 1995

By Spiegel

SPIEGEL: Mr. Stubb, Moscow is following with great concern just how sympathetic you are to the idea of Finland joining NATO.

Tunisia: How Ennahda Views the Upcoming Elections

By Naim Ameur

With the presidential and legislative elections only a few weeks away, anxious Tunisians prepare to follow and participate in the political contest. Many wonder specifically as to the fate of the Tunisian Islamist Ennahda party—particularly after the fall of Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt—and whether Tunisia can remain the only example of a successful “Arab Spring” […]

Defense Minister: Germany Unable to Meet NATO Commitments

By Deutsche Welle and AP

From Deutsche Welle:  Germany could not currently fulfill its NATO commitments in the event of an attack on a member of the alliance, owing in part to severe backlogs in replacement parts for its aircraft.

Top News: Mubarak Retrial Verdict Postponed to November 29

By EgyptSource

  Judge Mahmoud al-Rashidi delayed Saturday to November 29 an expected verdict in Hosni Mubarak’s retrial on charges of unlawfully killing protesters during the January 25 Revolution, citing that it needs more time to review all the evidence.

Top News: Libya’s Parliament to Open Dialogue With Opposition in UN-Sponsored Talks

By MENASource

The House of Representatives is expected to hold its first talks today with the opposition, starting a UN-brokered dialogue in the town of Ghadames near the Algerian border.

As Winter Nears in Ukraine, Will Moscow Attempt Another Strategic Invasion?

By James Rupert

Continued Attacks Show Kremlin May Be Preparing Drive Toward Crimea, Analysts Say Distracted US and European policymakers may feel grateful that this month’s truce has slowed the Russia-Ukraine war. The Obama administration is seized with the Syria-Iraq crisis and Congress has gone home to campaign for the November 4 election. Europe faces an internal battle […]

EconSource: IMF Commends Jordan’s Economic Performance as Review Concludes

By EconSource

Follow the latest in economic news and developments about the Arab transition countries. 

Obama Thanks Rasmussen for Making NATO Stronger

Today marks the end of Anders Fogh Rasmussen’s term as Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.