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FutureSource

Apr 10, 2014

The US and the World Gather in Medellin

By Peter Engelke

This week, Medellin, Colombia is hosting the World Urban Forum, the 7th iteration of the United Nation’s biannual conference series dedicated to the world’s cities. Some 25,000 people from everywhere on Earth are gathering at “WUF7” to discuss the governance challenges, and the unlimited opportunities, that are found in the world’s cities. The scale and […]

MENASource

Apr 10, 2014

Top News: US Blacklists Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis; Egypt Welcomes Decision

By EgyptSource

The United States designated Egypt’s most active militant group, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, a foreign terrorist organization on Wednesday, making it a crime to support the group.

Gen. Philip Breedlove and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Feb. 26, 2014

NATOSource

Apr 10, 2014

US Troops May be Sent to Eastern Europe

By John-Thor Dahlburg, AP

NATO’s top military commander in Europe, drafting countermoves to the Russian military threat against Ukraine, said Wednesday they could include deployment of American troops to alliance member states in Eastern Europe now feeling at risk.

Eastern Europe NATO

New Atlanticist

Apr 10, 2014

Mideast Diplomacy Looks Bleak but Alternatives are Worse

By Barbara Slavin

The Obama administration has certainly had better weeks in Middle East diplomacy. The Israeli-Palestinian talks appear to be collapsing in a fit of finger-pointing, and Syria increasingly resembles a slow-motion Rwanda. Only Iran negotiations continue to progress, albeit with obstacles looming as the parties approach a mid-summer deadline for a long-term nuclear agreement.

Israel Middle East
MP Artis Pabriks, October 17, 2011

NATOSource

Apr 9, 2014

Hesitation Within NATO will Encourage Russia to Test Alliance

By Artis Pabriks, atlantic-community.org

Since the end of the Russian-Georgian war in 2008, Russia has been seriously increasing its military budget (up 15-20% annually) and conducting military exercises with more than 100,000 personnel (Zapad 2009, Zapad 2013), targeted towards its western neighbours.

Germany NATO

MENASource

Apr 9, 2014

Tunisia’s Promise and Strategic Potential

By Lara Talverdian

After a year of heightened tensions, growing divisions, and two high-profile assassinations, Tunisians launched a national dialogue that culminated in the adoption of a progressive constitution in January 2014.

North Africa
Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Facility in Romania

NATOSource

Apr 9, 2014

US May Accelerate Deployment of Missile Defense System in Poland

By David Larter, Defense News

The military could speed up deployment of a land-based missile defense shield in Europe to hem in a resurgent Russia, the Navy 3-star in charge of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said in early April.

Central Europe Europe & Eurasia

MENASource

Apr 9, 2014

Corruption in Construction: Egypt’s Failing Infrastructure

By Amira Mikhail

As Egypt’s political failure continues to permeate various sectors—the economy, health system and security—decades of poor management and little accountability have led to the failing of a key sector: Egypt’s real estate market. The recent spate of collapsing buildings reveals an infrastructure that is literally shaking at its core.

North Africa

MENASource

Apr 9, 2014

Top News: Egypt Arrests another Al-Jazeera Journalist; Detained Journalist’s Health Deteriorates

By EgyptSource

The Egyptian authorities arrested on Wednesday a correspondent for Al Jazeera on charges of belonging to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, and inciting and taking part in violence. Ali AbdelRahman Shaheen, who works for the Qatar-based television network, is also accused of broadcasting false news that mislead the public.

REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih

New Atlanticist

Apr 9, 2014

Amid Europe’s Crisis, Danger Signs From Egypt

By James Rupert

As the United States and Europe (and the Atlantic Council) grapple with the crisis over Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, danger signs rise like signal flares from the Middle East. The latest reminder at the Council is an essay by Aziz El-Kaissouni, a political analyst and former Reuters correspondent in Cairo.

North Africa