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New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2018

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats: Russia is Attempting to Influence US Midterms, Divide Transatlantic Alliance

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Russia is attempting to influence the midterm elections in the United States in November as well as divide the transatlantic alliance, US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats warned at a meeting co-hosted by the Atlantic Council in Normandy, France, on June 8. Coats said Russia had already undertaken an “unprecedented influence campaign to interfere […]

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Jun 9, 2018

The United States Stands Isolated at a Meeting of its Friends

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Cracks in the United States’ relationships with some of its closest friends and allies were on full display at a meeting of the world’s largest economies in Canada this week. The fissures have been caused by US President Donald J. Trump’s America First approach that has led to the US withdrawal from two multilateral agreements—the […]

European Union International Organizations

IranSource

Jun 8, 2018

Why Internet Freedom in Iran is More Important Than Ever

By Holly Dagres

A female truck driver in a burgundy headscarf stood on the side of a highway to Mashhad, explaining in a video sent to Voice of America Persian that she was joining a truck driver strike. It wasn’t long before the video and others like it caught the attention of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). […]

Iran

EnergySource

Jun 8, 2018

Lest we forget

By Charles Ebinger

In honor of our nation’s birthday and with the 51st anniversary of the six-day war just behind us, in June 1967, it is imperative that we remember the crew of the USS Liberty, who gave their lives not to a foe, but to an unprovoked attack. A review of this tragic event is hopefully useful […]

Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2018

Trump Wants Russia Back in the G7

By Ashish Kumar Sen

US President Donald J. Trump’s suggestion that Russia be invited back to a grouping of the world’s largest economies is likely to deepen divisions with allies already irked by the president’s policies. Trump on June 8 called for Russia to be reinstated into the G7 from which it was expelled following its annexation of Crimea […]

European Union International Organizations

MENASource

Jun 8, 2018

Jordan’s austerity protests in context

By Jillian Schwedler

The protests that have spread to every corner of Jordan since May 30 are the largest since 2011. Tens of thousands have taken to the street in opposition to proposed changes to the tax code and increased prices for fuel and electricity, beginning with a call from professional associations to their members but quickly spreading […]

Macroeconomics Middle East
PutinAssadFeature

New Atlanticist

Jun 7, 2018

Syria Just Backed Russia’s Illegal Occupation of Georgian Regions

By Mikheil Janelidze

Last week, Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria illegally recognized Abkhazia and Tskhinvali (so-called South Ossetia), two historic regions of Georgia, as independent states. This was done undoubtedly at the behest of Assad’s main patron—Russia. With this act, the Assad regime declared its support for Russia’s military aggression against Georgia, the illegal occupation of Abkhazia and […]

Russia Syria

MENASource

Jun 7, 2018

Factbox: Jordan’s austerity protests

By Rachel Rossi, Shruti Kumar, and Aisha Han

Jordan, a key Western ally and major recipient of US aid, has recently experienced its largest protests since 2012. The ongoing protests began in May as a direct response to the new tax bill backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which increases tax brackets, widens the tax base, and penalizes tax evaders. The IMF […]

Macroeconomics Middle East

IranSource

Jun 7, 2018

Sanctions or Self-Sabotage? The story of Iran’s oil industry

By Ellen Wald

Following the lifting of international sanctions in January 2016, there was a great deal of optimism for Iran’s oil economy. Even though the global oil industry was a year into a price collapse, many companies were eager to explore investment opportunities in Iran’s neglected oil and gas assets. The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Iran’s oil […]

Iran Oil and Gas

New Atlanticist

Jun 7, 2018

How Russia Exploits Japan’s Soft Approach

By Maria Shagina

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 tested Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ability to strike a balance between the G7 and Moscow. On one hand, Japan, as a G7 member, is expected to join the international community in its condemnation of Russia’s meddling in Ukraine. On the other, Japan values its relationship with Russia, which […]

Japan Russia