Category: Blogs

NATO Chief: Syria’s Use of Chemical Weapons Violates International Law

By Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO

From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  This is, indeed, a matter of great concern. The international community has made clear that any use of chemical weapons is completely unacceptable and a clear breach of international law.

Weak Intelligence Oversight Stems From Citizen Apathy

By James Joyner

The New York Times editorial board complains, “Except for a few leaders and members of the intelligence committees, most lawmakers did not know the government was collecting records on almost every phone call made in the United States or was able to collect anyone’s e-mail messages and Internet chats.”

After Qusayr

By Faysal Itani

Hezbollah’s involvement in fighting the Syrian regime’s war in Qusayr represents a turning point for Sunni-Shia relations in Lebanon.

Beijing and Washington Share Indeterminate Future

By Robert Manning

Now what? The ostensible goal of the Obama-Xi “shirtsleeves summit” was to head off the trajectory of a volatile U.S.-Chinese relationship that appeared to be sliding toward confrontation—and define a new cooperative direction, new understandings and a new framework. In this respect, it was a potentially important but modest beginning.

Top News: United States Eases Trade Restriction on Syrian Opposition

The United States eased restrictions on trade with Syria’s opposition Wednesday, in a move aimed at helping supply the critical needs of Syrians in "liberated areas."

Syria: Is Geneva II the Key?

By Frederic C. Hof

When Secretary of State John Kerry pressed his Russian counterpart in early May 2013 to help him convene a conference to implement the Action Group on Syria Geneva agreement of June 2012, his motive was honorable and straightforward: cut to the chase and get Syrian opposition and Assad regime representatives into a room to negotiate […]

Top News: Congressional Committee Calls for Pardon of NGO Trial Defendants

By Egypt Source

In Washington DC, the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa held a hearing on the verdict convicting forty-three NGO workers of operating illegally. Chairperson of the Subcommittee, Ileana Ros-Leitnen, called on Congress to send a strong message to President Morsi to pardon all the defendants and allow the accused NGO to continue to […]

NATO Week Raises Awareness of Georgia’s Path to Integration

By NATO

From NATO:  The annual NATO Week in Georgia was launched in the capital Tbilisi on Monday 3 June. The opening ceremony was followed by a seminar involving representatives from three Western Balkans countries that, like Georgia, aspire to NATO membership.

Finland Accuses Russia of Airspace Violation

By RIA Novosti

From RIA Novosti:  Two Russian military aircraft are suspected of having violated Finland’s airspace, the Finnish Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.