Category: Blogs

Egypt’s Paralyzed Revolution

By Magdy Samaan

Crashing into protesters with military vehicles, shooting them by live bullets, targeting women, and accusing activists of being a fifth column for a subversive foreign agenda, are just some of the missteps taken by Egypt’s military leaders over the last three months.

Egypt in Search of an Economic Rescue Plan

Egypt’s economy has been deteriorating for months, but the latest indicators suggest that the country may be headed for a much more serious downturn. On December 21, Moody’s Investors Service downgraded Egypt’s government bond ratings by one notch to B2 from B1 and has also placed the rating on review for further possible downgrade. This […]

NATO After Libya: Why the Alliance Is Worth Saving

By Kori Schake, Newsweek

From Kori Schake, Newsweek:  NATO’s membership has more than doubled to 28 countries since its inception in 1949, but its basic principle remains the same

The colder war: U.S., Russia and others are vying for control of Santa’s back yard

By Heather Conley, the Washington Post

From Heather Conley, the Washington Post:  In April, President Obama signed a new command plan that gives NORAD and the U.S. Northern Command greater responsibility in protecting the North Pole and U.S. Arctic territory.

The Birth of Bangladesh and the War That Didn’t Happen

By Mahbub Sarwar

Over the weekend Bangladesh celebrated its 40th year of independence from Pakistan. The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 is an example of the often contradictory machinations that characterized the Cold War.

Snapshot: For Egypt’s Military, the Writing is on the Wall

By Mara Revkin

As an estimated 25,000 protesters rallied in Cairo on December 23 to condemn the military’s violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations in recent weeks, it’s clear that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) can no longer claim to be a stabilizing force or legitimate steward of a democratic transition that is veering dangerously off […]

Iraq: Worst Fears Coming True

By James Joyner

For years, analysts have worried that Iraq’s tenuous hold on stability would collapse upon the withdrawal of US forces. We’re now watching it happen.