In The News

Obama, Putin Need Steady Nerves and Stout Hearts in Syria

M.K. Bhadrakumar September 30, 2015
Conflict, extremism and a refugee crisis in the Middle East, spurred by autocratic governance and glaring inequalities, challenge the international community. Leaders of the United States, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia are committed to removing the scourge of Islamic State terrorists, but do not agree on a role for the Assad regime: Russia and Iran support the dictator and functioning...

The King and ISIS

Daniel Benjamin September 15, 2015
The United States and Saudi Arabia disagree on many issues including a deal to curtail Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for an end to sanctions. “Papering over differences is one of diplomacy’s finer and more useful arts,” writes Daniel Benjamin for Foreign Policy, adding that Saudi Arabia may pose more challenges for the US than Iran does. “Saudi Arabia’s energetic propagation of Wahhabism –...

What Will Jeremy Corbyn's Impact Be on Key Issues the UK Faces?

September 14, 2015
Jeremy Corbyn will lead the United Kingdom’s Labour Party with near 60 percent on the first vote. Conservatives remain in power and anticipate confronting a divided opposition. Corbyn is on the record for opposing inequality, austerity programs and war in the Middle East – and described as “passionate about foreign affairs.” Writers for the Guardian assess the Labour leader’s position on issues,...

France Seeks Help in Monitoring Suspicious Activity

Sam Schechner and Matthew Dalton August 24, 2015
France is calling on its millions of train travelers to remain calm and take quick action if they observe a fellow passenger with a weapon. One British and three American passengers tackled a fellow passenger carrying an AK-47 aboard a high-speed train. France recognized the rescue team with Legion of Honor. “In times of terror like that, please do something,” urged Anthony Sadler, one of three...

Beheaded Scholar Refused to Lead ISIS to Hidden Antiquities

Kareem Shaheen and Ian Black August 19, 2015
An antiquities scholar renowned for leading excavations and restorations in the ancient city of Palmyra defied the Islamic State terrorists by refusing to divulge the location of hidden artifacts, according to a report in the Guardian. “The brutal murder of Khaled al-Asaad, 82, is the latest atrocity perpetrated by the jihadi group, which has captured a third of Syria and neighbouring Iraq and...

Erdogan's Cynical Game: Is Turkey Creeping Toward Civil War?

Maximilian Popp and Christoph Reuter August 4, 2015
Fellow NATO members have long urged Turkey to take action against the Islamic State terrorists in Syria and Iraq. Turkey now allows the United States to use some of its military bases to launch air strikes against the extremists. Reports suggest that Turkish air strikes are also targeting Kurd holdings, which in turn prompts protests in Turkey. Likewise, Turkey may be using a protective zone...

Turkey Launches Heaviest Air Strikes Yet on Kurdish Group

Humeyra Pamuk and Nick Tattersall July 29, 2015
With support from NATO, Turkey announced plans to hit the Islamic State terrorists hard in northern Iraq through reports suggest the nation is also attacking shelters, depots and holdings of Kurds – one of the few groups willing to supply ground troops to the battle and showing some success. Turkey also refuses to provide air cover to Kurdish fighters in Syria. By targeting Kurds, Turkey could...