2013-09-03 By Harald Malmgren As most of Europe went on its customary August holiday, the Eurozone’s strains temporarily disappeared from consideration. In late August, complacency was abruptly shocked by top-level German politicians’ admissions that more money would soon be needed for Greece. Chancellor Merkel went so far as to say…
by Robbin Laird President Obama has made it clear that the Syrian Administration has crossed a “red line” by using chemical weapons against its own people. The Assad government is a brutal one, which has used force for a long time to stay in power, which hardly is unique in…
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 The USCG is struggling to get its requirements for new offshore patrol cutters funded. But there is little question that Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) are a key part of any maritime security solution set. As our partner DefenceWeb has highlighted in an article published on August 29, 2013, the…
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.…
