Category: Blogs

1914 – The Failure of and the Need for Diplomacy

By Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Guardian

The history of the outbreak of war 100 years ago and of the collapse of the fragile balance of power in Europe in the summer of 1914 is a disturbing tale of the failure of the governing elites and the military, but also of diplomacy.

Will Decentralization in Yemen Marginalize Citizens?

By Rafat Al-Akhali

With the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in Yemen concluded on 25 January 2014, the constitution-drafting period will focus on incorporating the outcomes of the NDC discussions into the new national charter. A close examination of the outcomes of the NDC may help address any shortcomings in the NDC agreements during the constitution-drafting process.

Egypt’s Military: Protecting its Sprawling Economic Empire

By Safa Joudeh

With the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces giving the nod of approval for a possible presidential bid by Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, his candidacy is looking more likely by the day. Despite overwhelming popular support of Sisi, in this highly polarized political atmosphere, demobilizing the anti-military component of the Egyptian electorate sets the […]

Can Mehdi Jomaa Fix Tunisia’s Economy?

By Svetlana Milbert

Months of political stalemate finally came to an end as Tunisia’s Islamist-led government resigned transferring power to caretaker Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa.

Turkey’s Wrong Turn

By Editorial Board, New York Times

[Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan should be insisting that the probe be fair and transparent, not trying to derail it.

Syria in The State Of The Union Address

By Frederic C. Hof

In Syria, we’ll support the opposition that rejects the agenda of terrorist networks… American diplomacy, backed by the threat of force, is why Syria’s chemical weapons are being eliminated, and we will continue to work with the international community to usher in the future the Syrian people deserve—a future free of dictatorship, terror and fear.

Barack Obama Gives Sixth Address to Joint Session of Congress

Tomorrow, Council experts will deconstruct #SOTU for members and press on a conference call. Domestic policy is the centerpiece of this year’s speech.

Ukraine: Is Yanukovych Finished?

By Rajan Menon

For a while it looked as if Ukraine’s embattled president, Viktor Yanukovych, had survived the political tidal wave that followed his decision to mothball the Association Agreement he’d hammered out with the European Union and instead to accept a lifeline from Russia (a $15 billion loan plus a one-third reduction in the price of natural […]

France’s Counterterrorism Operations in Africa Deserve US Support

By Editorial Board, Washington Post

[M]ore than 1,000 French soldiers are still fighting Islamic militants in Mali. Another French intervention force has been dispatched to restore order in the Central African Republic.