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MENASource

Aug 7, 2014

Top News: ISIS Storms Army Base in Raqqa

By MENASource

Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) fighters stormed one of the government’s last military posts in the northern province of Raqqa in an overnight attack killing dozens of soldiers, activists said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced the clashes continued into Thursday and that there were still government troops in the base.

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2014

Ukraine News Roundup | August 7

By Irena Chalupa

Defiant Nadiya Savchenko, a Captured Ukrainian Navigator, Inspires her Country via Washington Post Moldova Has Politely Asked Russia to Move Europe’s Largest Weapons Stockpile via Vice News Vladimir Putin Might Fall. We Should Consider What Happens Next via New Republic Recriminations and Denials After Putin via World Affairs Journal Putin Can Afford to Back Down on Ukraine via Moscow Times To Beat Putin, Support Ukraine via New […]

Ukraine

MENASource

Aug 7, 2014

Top News: Obama Says Al Jazeera Journalists Should be Released

By EgyptSource

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday urged the release of three Al Jazeera journalists sentenced to long prison terms in Egypt on charges of aiding the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood organization.

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2014

As Putin Weighs Invading Ukraine, the West Must Tell Him How it Would Respond

By John E. Herbst

Two months of steady advance by Ukrainian security forces have brought the war in Ukraine’s southeast to a crucial point at which Russian President Vladimir Putin must decide whether to launch a conventional invasion. The next four weeks, before NATO’s annual summit conference, are a critical window for action by Ukraine and its Western allies […]

Russia Ukraine

MENASource

Aug 7, 2014

The Nour Party’s Dilemma

By Khaled Dawoud

An accusation leveled at strict Salafist groups in Egypt, especially among political Islamic parties, has been that they are keen to maintain good relations with any government in power in order to maintain their presence, particularly in the mosques where they preach. This was the case, in particular, under ousted President Hosni Mubarak. While armed […]

North Africa
The Presidents of the three Baltic States, Nov. 6, 2013

NATOSource

Aug 6, 2014

Which Members Oppose Greater NATO Military Presence in Eastern Allies?

By Editors of the Financial Times

The obvious answer is for Nato to bolster its military presence in the east, thereby signalling to Moscow that an attack there would indeed be treated as an attack on the whole alliance.

Italy NATO

MENASource

Aug 6, 2014

Syria: “Caesar” and the Way Forward

By Frederic C. Hof

The July 31 testimony of “Caesar,” the former Syrian military police photographer who spirited out of Syria part of the Assad regime’s photographic archive of detainees it has tortured and starved to death, stunned members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Syria

Global Trade And The Americas

Aug 6, 2014

What is causing the TPP bottleneck? A View from Japan

By Katelyn Lamson

A year after Japan enthusiastically joined Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, a comprehensive agreement is still nowhere in sight. From the Japanese perspective, the gridlock appears to be related to disagreements between Japan and the United States over agriculture and automobiles. This seems puzzling at first glance, given that both countries’ leaders have spoken eloquently about […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs
Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 5, 2014

NATOSource

Aug 6, 2014

The West Must Prepare for a Wounded Putin to Become Even More Aggressive

By Editorial Board, Washington Post

A month ago, Russian President Vladi­mir Putin appeared to be successfully executing his campaign to destabilize Ukraine.

Europe & Eurasia Russia
Royal Marine Commandos training with Albanian forces, Nov. 16, 2012

NATOSource

Aug 6, 2014

Each NATO Ally has to Pull its Weight After Russia’s Threats

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Financial Times

From the start, I have described this crisis as a wake-up call for the alliance, and for all those committed to a Europe that is undivided, free and at peace.

NATO Russia