Category: Blogs

First NATO Military Delegation to visit China

By NATO

Ukraine’s President Yanukovych sacks his Defense Minister

By Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

From Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty:  Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has sacked Defense Minister Mykhailo Yezhel, replacing him with Dmytro Salamatin.

Turkish court summons spy chief over PKK talks

By Daniel Dombey, the Financial Times

Top News: SCAF Claims “Damning Evidence” Against Accused NGOs

By Mara Revkin

The SCAF issued a defiant statement on February 9, asserting that Egypt’s international relations with the US are governed by the common interests of both parties, and that "Egypt does not bow to the domination of anyone." The SCAF reiterated that the NGO case is in the hands of the judiciary, noting that the Ministry […]

Egypt’s Constitution: Conflicting Visions

By Mara Revkin

In the wake of the deadly Port Said soccer riot on February 1, fears that a new Egyptian constitution will produce a dysfunctional and undemocratic outcome are rapidly coming to a head. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has been pushing to draft a new constitution at breakneck speed, and its most recent […]

Germany Expels Four Syrian Diplomats in Spy Case

By Nicholas Kulish and Alan Cowell, the New  York Times

From Nicholas Kulish and Alan Cowell, the New  York Times:  As tensions mount between Western nations and Syria, the German authorities said on Thursday they had ordered the expulsion of four Syrian diplomats after arresting two men accused separately of spying on opponents of President Bashar al-Assad.

Why Russia Supports Assad

By Dimitri Trenin, the International Herald Tribune

From Dimitri Trenin, the International Herald Tribune:  The Russian government is openly conservative; it abhors revolutions.

Republicans need more than rhetoric on defense

By George F. Will, the Washington Post

From George F. Will, the Washington Post:  The U.S. defense budget is about 43 percent of the world’s total military spending — more than the combined defense spending of the next 17 nations, many of which are U.S. allies.