In The News

As ISIS Take Kobane, NATO's Second Largest Army Sits on the Sidelines

Alexander Christie-Miller October 8, 2014
Most countries would swiftly intervene if a small town on the border was under attack by a vicious group that threatens to topple governments throughout the region. But Turkey, a NATO member, balks as Islamic State terrorists attack the small Syrian town of Kobane, suggesting it will help only “if there was a broader military commitment by Turkey’s allies to create a no-fly-zone in northern Syria...

US Forms “Core Coalition” to Counter ISIS

Phil Stewart and Julien Ponthus September 5, 2014
The United States has organized a “core coalition” and seeks more members to battle Islamic State terrorists. Ground forces are ruled out for now. The coalition was organized at the NATO summit. A campaign to defeat the terrorist group – deemed a threat for the Middle East and western nations, too – could last years. “NATO announced plans for allies to share more information on westerners...

Targeting Turkey: How Germany Spies on Its Friends

Nikolaus Blome, Hubert Gude, Sven Röbel, Jörg Schindler and Fidelius Schmid August 20, 2014
Germany has been a leading critic of the widespread US National Security Agency surveillance program, yet the country has also done its share of spying on friends and allies, including former and current secretaries of state Hillary Clinton and John Kerry as well as Turkey. The intended target for the US officials was Islamic terrorists, but “intelligence sources now say that US office holders...

Dempsey: US Military Dusting Off Decades-Old “Readiness” Plans for Russia

Lee Ferran July 25, 2014
Tensions are running high between the United States and Russia over the latter’s intervention in Ukraine, lending support to a separatist movement that likely destroyed a passenger jet. Europe is not joining the United States in sanctions on Russia, and Russia is trying to build a solid wall resisting European and NATO influence around its borders and even former Soviet satellite states. But...

Russian President Putin Builds Ties in Moldova, Kazakhstan and Baltics

Michael Birnbaum May 19, 2014
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has vowed to defend ethnic Russians wherever they live – in a sense threatening governments of former Soviet republics and exerting Russian control. “Putin has spent recent weeks focused on neighboring countries, many of which have substantial ethnic Russian minorities,” writes Michael Birnbaum for the Washington Post. “The strategy puts Russia on a collision...

Sanctions Will Not Deter Russia

David R. Cameron May 1, 2014
Ukraine concedes that its eastern part is in pro-Russian hands, and Russian buildup along the border continues. Russia’s security concerns in Ukraine trump any discomfort over sanctions. Russia contends the removal of Ukraine’s corrupt president defied constitutional limits that allowed replacement only in the case of death, ill health or impeachment. An April 17 agreement signed by Russia, US...

Taliban Victory in Afghanistan Would Pose Problem for Pakistan

Riaz Hassan April 15, 2014
Perhaps no country depends more on stability in Afghanistan – as determined by fair elections, smooth withdrawal of foreign forces, long-term military agreement with the United States, and ongoing foreign aid – than Pakistan. Because of demographics and a history of conflict, Pakistan may well be relieved by Taliban political failure in Afghanistan, suggests sociology professor Riaz Hassan....