Category: Blogs

The European Union and the Syrian Gridlock

By Vivien Pertusot

The United Nations account of the 8317 dead and counting in Syria is disturbing, even more so as the international community remains divided and actions to curb violence have proved unsuccessful. In this apparent gridlock, the European Union has adopted a hard-pressed and steady posture against the regime. The pressure may be growingly biting, yet […]

Eurozone Crisis: ‘Behind the name-calling… lies a complete breakdown of trust’

By Philip Stevens, the Financial Times

From Philip Stevens, the Financial Times:  Another week, another sticking plaster. The deal to prop up Greece has bought some more time. The important thing – or so we are led to believe – is that the wound has been cauterised. Again.

How to Halt the Butchery in Syria

By Anne-Marie Slaughter, the New York Times

SACEUR prepares his final Congressional testimony

By James Stavridis, Allied Command Operations

From James Stavridis, Allied Command Operations:  One of the most important things I do each year is to testify in front of the US Congress. I’m at home this weekend to prepare carefully for this annual opportunity to lay out the challenges, linkages, and initiatives of U.S. European Command.

Post-Revolutionary Institutional Reform in Egypt: Lessons From the Ukraine

By Nadine Abdalla

 Most historians agree that the first wave of democratic transitions that swept Eastern Europe in the late 1980s – transforming Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic – was  significantly more successful than the second wave that occurred in countries such as Ukraine, Serbia, and Georgia, proving yet again that the road to reform and democracy […]

Peter MacKay urges closer U.S.-Canada military ties and NATO reform

By the Canadian Press

From the Canadian Press:  The defence minister says there’s a greater need for stronger partnership between Canada and the U.S. in uncertain economic and political times. But at the same time, NATO’s global partnership is in need of reform to function effectively in a complex security situation, Peter MacKay said in a set of speeches […]

Top News: FJP to Present Draft Criteria for Constituent Assembly Within Days

By Mara Revkin

According to an official FJP statement, the party will present a draft law outlining criteria for selecting the 100-member constituent assembly within days. According to Freedom and Justice Chairman Mohammed Morsi, the Brotherhood’s party will propose that the committee include 40 members of parliament, 30 members elected by parliament, and 30 members elected from outside.

Turkey keeps plan to buy 100 F-35 fighter jets

By Reuters

From Reuters:  Turkey is sticking to plans to buy 100 of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 fighter jets for $16 billion, with an initial order of two planes for delivery in 2015, its defence minister said, amid concerns about the project’s delays and rising costs.

Thieves grab top-secret plans for joint French/UK UAV

By Paul Roberts, ThreatPost

President of Abkhazia Survives Assassination Attempt

By Michael Schwirtz, the New York Times

From Michael Schwirtz, the New York Times:  Unidentified assassins tried on Wednesday to kill the president of Abkhazia, a Russian-backed rebel enclave of Georgia.