In The News

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...

US Not “Neutral” in South China Sea Disputes: Top US Diplomat

Prashanth Parameswaran July 28, 2015
A US assistant secretary of state insists that the country won’t take a position on competing claims for small bits of land in the South China Sea, but does expect international law to be followed. In a speech, Daniel Russel explained “that the United States was currently encouraging relevant parties in the South China Sea to create the atmosphere and conditions necessary to manage the disputes...

Obama’s Triumphant Return to Kenya as President

John Githongo July 28, 2015
Kenyans were ecstatic welcoming Barack Obama during his first visit as US president to his father’s homeland. Obama attended the sixth Global Entrepreneurship Summit, a gathering of entrepreneurs at all levels designed to encourage economic growth and innovation. “In general, US foreign policy vis-à-vis Africa has always been transactional,” writes John Githongo, a notable journalist active in...

Cuba: Transforming a Revolution

Patricia Alejandro July 23, 2015
The United States and Cuba are reopening their respective embassies and preparing for more exchanges in diplomacy and trade. “Cubans and Americans are equally curious about exploring the other side since December when President Barack Obama and Raúl Castro made the surprise announcement on restoration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries,” writes Patricia Alejandro, a Harvard...

“Putin’s World” Gains Traction as Alternative to West

Richard Gowan July 21, 2015
Vladimir Putin has broad support at home for promoting an image of a tough and revitalized Russia, one envied by nationalists in other countries. “Moscow has not been able to offer a positive vision of a new international system that can compete with, let alone surpass, what the West offers,” writes Richard Gowan for World Politics Review. The leader of the world’s ninth largest country by...

Greek Debt Crisis Is Providing Fuel for the Country's Neo-Nazi Movement Golden Dawn

Nick Apoifis July 16, 2015
Corrupt and inept management for Greece later forced a need for austerity measures, which in turn lead to politics of resentment – emboldening neo-Nazi parties like the Golden Dawn in Greece where the unemployment rate is 25 percent. Riots have broken out in Athens after the parliament had little choice but to approve strict reforms and exit the European Union. “Against this backdrop of declining...