In The News

USA Today: Pressure on Pakistan Is Test of New US Strategy to End War in Afghanistan

Jim Michaels January 5, 2018
The war in Afghanistan has been fought for more than 16 years by three US presidential administrations. The Trump administration is trying a new strategy that involves less reliance on neighboring Pakistan, and the United States has announced suspension of security assistance and military aid to that country. The administration also added Pakistan to a watch list of countries that violate...

The Guardian: "They Treated Her Like a Dog"– Tragedy of a Six-Year-Old Killed at Croatian Border

Emma Graham-Harrison December 28, 2017
The death of six-year-old Madina Hussiny has shed light on an enduring sociopolitical problem along Europe’s borders – the precarious status of asylum seekers and refugees. Emma Graham-Harrison observes for the Guardian, “The tragedy of the Hussiny family, who tried to reach Croatia after spending nearly a year in Serbia hoping for legal passage into Hungary, was the latest in a string of deaths...

BBC: China Condemns US “Cold War Mentality” on National Security

December 19, 2017
A new US security policy labels China and Russia as “rival powers” that threaten US economic dominance, reports BBC News. A China spokesperson suggested that the United States is “distorting China’s strategic intentions,” and Russia responded by suggesting it “cannot accept” being regarded as a threat. The United States, in emphasizing “America first” policies, must prepare for other countries...

The Guardian: Abbas Warns World Leaders Over Trump's Recognition of Jerusalem

Peter Beaumont December 7, 2017
Mere days before Donald Trump announced that the United States intends to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel, President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas made a last-ditch effort to rally diplomatic support against such recognitionl. “Abbas placed a series of phone calls on Sunday with world leaders both to ‘explain the dangers of any decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem or...

Middle East Eye: “'Huge Implications” for Moving US Embassy to Jerusalem

Ali Harb December 6, 2017
Donald Trump, recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, plans to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The plan overturns seven decades of US policy. Most countries maintain embassies in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area, and a few maintain consulates in Jerusalem. “While the decision may cement Washington’s pro-Israeli bias, analysts say, its symbolism insults not only...

Stratfor: Egypt and Russia’s Motives for Expanding Influence in the Middle East

December 1, 2017
Russia is taking steps to strengthen its presence in the Middle East with a five-year “preliminary agreement with Egypt on the reciprocal use of air bases in each country.” Egypt is expected to sign the agreement that gives Russia access to the Northern Africa-Mediterranean region to help contain Islamic extremism and gain new markets for arms and energy. Russia is also exploring an agreement for...

Bloomberg: Former US National Security Advisor Pleads Guilty

David Kocieniewski and Greg Farrell December 1, 2017
The retired US general who campaigned for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and served as the administration’s first national security adviser is pleading guilty to a single charge of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about communications with the Russian ambassador. Lying to the FBI is a federal felony with a five-year prison term. “The charge against [Michael] Flynn, 58, adds...