By defining Chinese characteristics as “seeking common ground while reserving differences,” a formula that implies conflict management rather than conflict resolution, Messrs. Sun and Wu were suggesting that China was seeking to prepare the ground for greater Chinese engagement in efforts to stabilize the Middle East, a volatile region that …
Read More »admin
Reciprocity And Coercion: Ending The Downturn In US-Iran Relations – Analysis
Just days after the United States struck Iranian-linked targets in Syria, militia members fired a volley of rockets at Ain Al-Asad air base. The U.S. strike was conducted in response to an attack on Balad airbase in Iraq on February 20 by Iranian proxies.
Read More »US urges Saudis to disband force behind Khashoggi killing
The United States on Monday urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. “We have urged Saudi Arabia to disband this group and then adopt institutional, systemic reforms and controls to ensure that …
Read More »Morocco suspends contact with German embassy
Officials say decision in part due to ‘deep misunderstandings’ in Berlin’s stance over Western Sahara. Morocco has suspended contacts with the German embassy in the North African kingdom in part over what officials said was Berlin’s stance on the Western Sahara dispute.
Read More »China, Iran relations widen amid renewed nuclear talks
While pressuring Washington to drop sanctions and renew the JCPOA, Beijing has expanded trade and military relations with Tehran and its neighbors. In the puzzle that is known as the Iran nuclear deal — the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — the United States holds the key, China’s Foreign …
Read More »Iran rejects EU invitation to talks with US on nuclear deal
Tehran’s rejection may be posturing, but the clock is ticking on chances to limit its nuclear capabilities. Iran’s government has turned down a proposal for talks with the United States and the European Union over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Citing “recent positions and actions of the US and three …
Read More »Prominent Islamic State leaders killed in Iraq
Iraqi security forces announced the killings of Islamic State leaders who had long evaded capture. Despite concerns that the sharp drawdown of international troops over the past year might negatively impact counterterrorism activities, Iraq has announced the killing of several high-level commanders and operatives since late January. Following a double …
Read More »The Israel-Russia-Syria deal: Cost, beneficiaries and future deals
As Israel and Syria conclude a deal on the return of an Israeli woman from Syria, questions arise regarding the cost and what the future of such transactions with Russian mediation should be. ast week Israel concluded a deal with Syria, via Russia, to return an Israeli woman who crossed …
Read More »Elusive figure of Syrian war dies with secrets in Turkey
Heysem Topalca, a fugitive whose name was implicated in some of the most controversial chapters of Ankara’s Syria policy due to his alleged role in the Turkish intelligence operations in Syria, has died, taking all his secrets to the grave. Heysem Topalca, a fugitive who allegedly played a key role …
Read More »ISIS and the UK: the Case of Shamima Begum
A former Isis fighter once complained to me that western volunteers who travelled to the so-called Islamic State in northeastern Syria were a burden because they did not speak Arabic, had no military experience, knew little about Islam and had often come because they were bored or unhappy at home. …
Read More »