Category: Blogs

Obama Will Seek Congressional Authorization on Syria

In an announcement from the Rose Garden at the White House, President Obama announced two decisions on Syria. He said in his statement that he has decided the United States should take military action against the regime in Syria for their use of chemical weapons.

The Legal Case for Using Force to Prevent a Government from Employing Chemical Weapons to Commit Mass Atrocities

By J. Trevor Ulbrick, Paul R. Williams, and Jonathan P. Worboys

Calls for intervention in Syria have intensified in the wake of the recent sarin gas attack outside Damascus, which killed an estimated 1429 civilians, including 426 children. In response, both the US and France have declared their willingness to use force against the Assad regime. Yet even now, after nearly three years, 100,000 civilians killed, […]

Turkey: Planned US Missile Strikes on Syria Not Good Enough

By Hurriyet Daily News, Reuters, TIME

From Hurriyet Daily News:  Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said the U.S. statement on a “limited” military action against Syria will not be enough to satisfy Ankara

US Spy Agencies Mounted 231 Offensive Cyber-Operations in 2011, Documents Show

By Barton Gellman and Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post

U.S. intelligence services carried out 231 offensive cyber-operations in 2011

Obama Highlights Strong Relationships with Nordic-Baltic Countries

By Magnus Nordenman

President Barack Obama’s meeting in Washington with the presidents of the Baltic states, his trip to Sweden, and his meeting with the Nordic heads of government while there, is a recognition of the broad success story of the region

Why Obama’s Plan to Strike Syria Makes No Strategic Sense

By James Joyner

Having backed himself into a corner by declaring a “red line” that has now been crossed, President Obama is by all appearances ramping up for military action in Syria. As best we can tell from the not inconsiderable leaks coming from Washington and elsewhere, the planned strikes would use aerial assets, last only a short period, and […]

This Week in Egypt – August 30, 2013

By Amira Mikhail

Catch up on the latest out of Egypt every week, with analysis, news updates, photos, videos, and more.

Britain Drifts Towards Isolation

By Richard Haass, Financial Times

The British Parliament’s rejection of a motion endorsing UK participation in expected military action against Syria is nothing less than stunning – an event with a political significance that transcends the immediate debate

Why the Muslim Brotherhood Fell Politically (Part II)

By Yussef Auf

The Muslim Brotherhood reached the pinnacle of power in Egypt on June 30, 2012, by way of its candidate Mohamed Morsi. However, power did not remain in their hands for long, with the president ousted on July 3, 2013. Regardless of how Mohamed Morsi came to power and regardless of the events of June 30 […]

US Seeks Allies as UK Shuns Syria Action in Shock Vote

By Lorna Shaddick, FRANCE 24

The United States is still seeking an “international coalition” in response to Syria’s alleged use of chemical weapons, despite a vote against military action by British MPs, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said on Friday.