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Are Israel and US clashing over Iran nuclear policy?

ISRAELI-IRANIAN AFFAIRS: As Washington and Tehran start a new round of chicken, how should Jerusalem position itself? With nuclear negotiations in Vienna set to start on Monday of next week, the open conflict between Israel and the US over Iran policy almost seemed to overtake the conflict between Jerusalem and …

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Elitism is Not the Answer to Populism: On ‘Anti-Vaxxers’ and Mistrust in Government

While “anti-vaxxers” continue to clash with police in various European cities, a whole media discourse has been formulated around the political leanings of these angry crowds, describing them in matter-of-fact terms as conspiracy theorists, populists and right-wing fanatics. While it is true that populist, right-wing movements throughout Europe and elsewhere …

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Russia Plan to Destabilize Eastern Syria

Russia has planned to destabilize the northern and eastern parts of Syria in order to expand its influence there, according to al-Hal Net. Russia has planned to control areas in northern and eastern Syria for several months, coinciding with Turkey scaling back its military operation in that region. At a …

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Iranian Official: Turkey Controls 30% of Syrian Economy, Iran Only 3%

The deputy head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce regretted that while Turkey controls 30% of the Syrian economy, his country only accounts for 3% of trade, according to Baladi News. “Iran accounts for only 3 percent of the Syrian economy, but Turkey accounts for 30 percent of the country’s …

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Julani: New Failed Attempts to Improve Tahrir al-Sham Image

Julani, the leader of the HTS, is trying to improve his image to gain credibility in the eyes of the local community as well as in those of the west, according to al-Hal. Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani is constantly trying to present himself in a positive image …

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Former Islamic State (ISIS) ‘Finance Minister’ Reveals Details of ISIS Financial and Organizational Structure

An article about the arrest and confession of Sami Jasem Al-Jubouri, who was allegedly the former finance minister of the Islamic State (ISIS) and a deputy to Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, was featured on the front page of Al-Qadaa, the monthly magazine of the High Judicial Council of Iraq, which was …

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Experts Urge Improved Anti-Terrorism Strategy in Serbia

Serbia’s next anti-terrorism strategy, if there is one, must address the threat from right-wing extremism, experts say. Serbia needs a new and improved counter-terrorism strategy, experts say, amid concern over what will come after the current platform when it expires this year. There has been no official word on what …

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EU Bid Gives North Macedonia’s Embattled Govt Temporary Lifeline

A failed attempt to topple the government has given it a fresh boost – but its long-term survival depends on success in delivering a start to EU accession talks. After last week’s failed attempt by the opposition to oust North Macedonia’s Social Democratic government in a no-confidence vote – which …

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Unbuilt Sewage Treatment Plants Cost Montenegro Taxpayers Millions

Seven Montenegrin municipalities were offered multi-million-euro grants in 2012 to build essential wastewater treatment plants to prevent sewage polluting rivers and the sea, but no construction work has begun yet, and as years pass, the potential cost keeps rising. Rozaje was intended to be one of the first municipalities in …

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Serbia-Russia Gas Deal Seen Certain, But at What Price?

Serbia expects a “friendly price” for Russian gas when the country’s current supply deal expires on December 31. But analysts are less certain about the political cost. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says he will “beg” Russia’s Vladimir Putin for a new gas deal beyond the end of the year when …

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