2013-09-02 Any limited strike by the United States and a “coalition of the willing” will play out in reshaping policy in the region. It cannot by itself be limited; nor are the effects designed to be so. A key player in the evolution of policy is clearly Turkey. Earlier this year…
2013-09-01 By Richard Weitz As events heat up in the Middle East, Asia remains a primary focus for American foreign policy. The next few months will see the agenda filled with a number of critical issues, which need to be dealt with in order for the US and its allies…
2013-08-29 by Kenneth Maxwell The word "brickbat" was first used in England during the 16th century. It referred to a piece of broken brick thrown at others hoping to injure them. It also means blunt criticism. "Brics" is of more recent origin. It refers to the developing countries of Brazil, Russia,…
2013-08-27 By Richard Weitz Having discussed Russia’s policies towards Iran in an earlier contribution, I thought it instructive to analyze China’s policies towards Tehran to highlight the similarities and differences in their approach, which are often overlooked. I was fortunate in having been in Beijing earlier this month attending a…
2013-08-26 by Richard Weitz Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent visit to Baku is but the latest sign of Moscow’s sustained effort to secure greater influence in the vital South Caucasus region. Putin traveled to Azerbaijan for a “working visit” on August 13 that marked his first trip the country in 2006.…
2013-08-21 A former force commander of the joint African Union/United Nations mission in Darfur has warned that a rethink is needed on peacekeeping in Africa if it is to remain a workable objective. Nigerian General Martin Luther Agwai told a Washington workshop on enhancing peacekeeping operations in Africa the complex…
2013-08-04 by Robbin Laird In a follow up interview with Gordon Stephenson, the brother of the co-pilot of the B-17 remembered in the French ceremony at the end of June, I had a chance to talk about his brother, growing up to become a pilot and what it felt like…
By Richard Weitz The recent NATO-Russian spat over military exercises shows the imperative of upgrading European security mechanisms. At a July 24 NATO-Russia Council meeting, Rose Gottemoeller, the U.S. Acting Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, complained about Moscow’s failure to provide advance notice of its recent large-scale military…
