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UkraineAlert

Jul 28, 2014

A Hostage in War: Vasyl Budik is Both Captive and Press Spokesman of Rebel Leader Bezler

By Irena Chalupa

Vasyl Budik has spent eighty-six days as the hostage of Russian Lieutenant Colonel Igor Bezler, a rebel commander in southeast Ukraine. But not just any hostage. Budik has at times been Bezler’s intermediary with Ukrainian authorities and his spokesman to local media. He has the freedom to make a Skype call to a reporter – […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jul 28, 2014

The Flight of ‘The Demon’: A Brutal Russian Officer Reportedly Flees His Place In the Ukraine War

By Irena Chalupa

Lieutenant Colonel Igor Bezler Leaves as Ukrainian Troops Advance, His Hostage Says As Ukraine’s army advances against the Russian proxy forces in southeast Ukraine, it has forced one of the rebels’ most prominent and brutal commanders, former Russian army Lieutenant Colonel Igor Bezler, out of his headquarters. Ukrainian troops and Bezler’s rebels fought battles at […]

Russia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Jul 28, 2014

Here’s Why Russia’s Military Is Now Directly Attacking Ukraine

By John E. Herbst

As Ukrainian Army Weakens Kremlin’s Proxy Forces, Putin Steps Up War to Avoid Defeat The war in Ukraine has heated up significantly in the ten days since the Russian-led and supplied insurgents shot down Malaysian Airlines Flight 17. Ukrainian forces retook the city of Lysychansk from the rebels late last week and have established control […]

Russia Ukraine

Trade in Action

Jul 25, 2014

TTIP and a new Report on TPP

Today’s blog entry focuses on news on TTIP, more specifically on the debate surrounding the ISDS mechanism and rights and labor standards under TTIP from an American perspective. In addition, the blog covers the launch of a new report named “Bridging the Pacific- Americas’ new Frontier?”, researched and issued by the Atlantic Council. Bridging the […]

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs
Polish soldiers in NATO exercise Steadfast Jazz, Oct. 27, 2013

NATOSource

Jul 25, 2014

What NATO Needs to Do in the Wake of the Ukraine Crisis

By John Deni, Defense One

First, the alliance should announce its intent to permanently station troops in the East, most likely in Poland.

Greece NATO

MENASource

Jul 25, 2014

The Poor Always Bear the Highest Cost

By Amr Hamzawy

In front of the High Court building, this scene unfolds:  Poor and low-income women, children, and men wait for prisoner transport vehicles to arrive carrying their husbands, fathers, brothers, sons and daughters, who are scheduled to appear before the courts.  They wait to reassure themselves that their loved ones are well.  They wait to be […]

North Africa
Russian President Vladimir Putin, July 17, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 25, 2014

US Military Chief Compares Putin’s Ukraine Aggression to Stalin’s Invasion of Poland

By Josh Rogin, Daily Beast

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s new use of Russian military force inside Ukraine harkens back to 1939 when Joseph Stalin led a Russian invasion of Poland, and Dempsey predicted Putin was far from finished.

Europe & Eurasia Russia

MENASource

Jul 25, 2014

Top News: First Humanitarian Aid Enters Syria Without Government Consent

By MENASource

The United Nations said on Thursday that the first humanitarian aid convoy had entered Syria from Turkey without the Syrian government consent. The aid supplies were made possible due to the authorization of a new UN Security Council resolution. 

MENASource

Jul 25, 2014

Jordan: Improving Economic Growth through Energy Reforms

By Svetlana Milbert

Despite the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s success in avoiding the civil unrest of the Arab uprisings, it faces macroeconomic challenges exacerbated by exogenous shocks since 2011.

SouthAsiaSource

Jul 25, 2014

This Week in South Asia: July 19 – 25

By Nameerah Hameed and Fahad Ahsan

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. IranIran and six world powers decided on July 18 to extend the deadline for an agreement with its nuclear negotiators for another four months. In the meantime, Iran will take more steps to neutralize […]

Afghanistan India