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IranSource

Feb 20, 2019

Gloomy observations from Iran

By Sirous Amerian

One of the criticisms of Iran analysts usually thrown around on social media is that they haven’t lived in the country, visited it for a long time or speak the language. While not as well-known as some analysts, this author speaks the language, lived in Iran for twenty-eight years until two years ago and recently […]

Iran

SyriaSource

Feb 19, 2019

Syrian women detainees: reclaiming their lives and giving back

By Rana Riziq

Across Syria, thousands of men have been held captive by the Syrian government, some languishing for years in detention for their political activities, their refusal to join the army, or just by virtue of being related to people who oppose the dictatorship. Less talked about are the experiences of women who are arrested and held in captivity, raped and tortured, and the struggles they endure if they are eventually released. They can face unemployment, trauma, and even be shunned by segments of their communities.

Syria

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2019

Buy-In from allies critical for effective sanctions, says former US Treasury Secretary Lew

By David A. Wemer

Sanctions can only be effective, Lew argued, if the sanctioned country believes there will be “meaningful and lasting relief” once it changes its behavior.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Iran

UkraineAlert

Feb 19, 2019

Why a Zelenskyy presidency would be a disaster for Ukraine

By Alexander J. Motyl

The world is in turmoil, Russia occupies part of Ukraine, reforms in Ukraine still have a way to go, and democracy is in retreat in much of Europe. One would think Ukrainians would be worried. One would think they would want an experienced person at the helm. Instead, they may be about to elect the […]

Europe & Eurasia Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Feb 19, 2019

How Ukraine’s Leading Comedian Pulled Ahead in Polls

By Ruslan Minich

On February 7, hundreds of Facebook users in Ukraine posted videos with red nose filters. Everyone ended up looking like a clown, and that was precisely the point. Ukrainians are clowns because they’ve allowed the country’s political elites to rob them blind, keeping salaries and social benefits low. This was part of a flash mob […]

Ukraine

UkraineAlert

Feb 19, 2019

Ukraine Has Reached a Tipping Point

By Oksana Markarova

Elections may be on the horizon, but I firmly believe that reforms will continue through 2020 and beyond. Now that Ukraine has enshrined EU and NATO accession as the fundamental direction of the country, whoever comes to power, Ukraine’s pro-western economic development and orientation cannot be reversed.

Ukraine

New Atlanticist

Feb 19, 2019

Trade is not a weapon. Let’s not use it as one

By Borge Brende

For decades, trade has been the number one way for countries around the world to peacefully co-develop, build ties, and produce wealth, and it has been enormously successful at that.

Trade and tariffs

EnergySource

Feb 19, 2019

Gas and conflict in the Eastern Mediterranean

By Nael M. Shama

In January, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority established the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) in an effort to coordinate energy policies and establish a regional gas market. The group will attempt to develop and organize the region’s rising gas market, allowing its members to tap their vast natural gas resources, […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security North Africa

IranSource

Feb 19, 2019

The Warsaw Summit: Not So ‘Anti-Iranian’ but Still a Success

By Robert Czulda

It is too early to assess the long-term consequences of the Ministerial to Promote a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East. But for Poland and several other actors, the meeting can already been seen as a success. Poland, after hosting a NATO summit in 2016 and a UN Climate conference in 2018, […]

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Feb 18, 2019

New legislation presents impactful but measured way forward on Russia sanctions

By Brian O'Toole and Samantha Sultoon

New legislation contains several provisions that will have a serious impact on Moscow, provide deterrence in other key areas, and has removed some of the sanctions that caused serious alarm among European allies.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Russia
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