Category: Blogs

NATO guards Turkey from Syrian threat

By Stephen Fidler, Wall Street Journal

From Stephen Fidler, Wall Street Journal:  On a windswept plateau overlooking this fast-growing city in the south of Turkey, just 30 miles from the Syrian border, an array of U.S. missile-defense launchers points south toward Syria, where a civil war rages.

Erdogan: Turkey blocked ‘steps toward Israel’s inclusion in NATO’

By Hurriyet Daily News

From Hurriyet Daily News:  Turkey blocked North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) initiatives taken toward the inclusion of Israel in the organization, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Feb. 5 to the reporters during his flight to Budapest.

US Patriot missile battery in Turkey comes under NATO command

By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes

From John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes:  A U.S. Patriot missile battery now up and running near Turkey’s border with Syria fell under NATO command and control Tuesday, bringing the alliance’s effort to bolster Turkish air defenses one step closer to becoming fully operational, U.S. military officials said.

White House calls on Europe “to take proactive action” against Hezbollah

By John Brennan, White House

From John Brennan, White House:  The United States commends the Government of Bulgaria for its professional and comprehensive investigation into the barbaric July 18, 2012 terrorist attack in Burgas. 

Bulgaria says Hezbollah behind fatal bus bombing

By Tsvetelia Tsolova, Reuters

From Tsvetelia Tsolova, Reuters:  Bulgaria said on Tuesday it had evidence showing that Lebanese militant movement Hezbollah carried out a bomb attack on a bus in the Black Sea city of Burgas that killed five Israeli tourists last year.

Free trade between the US and Europe may be the signature foreign-policy achievement of Obama 2.0

By Robert A. Manning, National Interest

From Robert A. Manning, National Interest:  [C]onsidering the messy geopolitical landscape with few opportunities and no shortage of challenges, a successful new U.S.-EU accord could well end up as the signature foreign-policy achievement of Obama 2.0.

International Crisis Group Warns of Socio-Economic Riots in Egypt

The International Crisis Group issued a conflict alert on Egypt on Monday. The report states, week-long clashes and protests erupting after the sentencing of over 20 Egyptians to death in the case of the Port Said Massacre “are symptomatic of a larger trend — erosion of respect for governing institutions. In the Suez Canal Zone […]

President Morsi’s Finger and Human Dignity in Egypt

By Mai El Sadany

When declaring a state of emergency in the canal cities in response to clashes in Port Said last week, President Morsi finally showed Egyptians his “bad cop” side after months of “good cop” rhetoric filled with invocations of “hugs” and “love.” What quickly became viral from the announcement was the clip of the President holding […]

Top News: Ahmadinejad in Cairo at Start of Historic Egypt Visit

By Egypt Source

Gulf region security is an extension of Egyptian security, Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr said on Monday, a day before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in Cairo, alluding to fears regarding increasingly warm Egypt-Iran relations. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the first Iranian head of state to visit Egypt since 1979 GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION Morsi calls for another dialogue next […]