These posters reportedly contain threats of murder against men and women, including accusations of failing to pay “zakat” (Islamic tax) and other charges. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) war monitor on Tuesday reported that ISIS cells in the Arab-majority Deir ez-Zor province are spreading fear among civilians …
Read More »After Russia’s War Against Ukraine: What Kind of World Order?
Summary:There is a growing perception that the liberal world order is coming to an end. While the current multilateral system may be weakened by the return of geopolitics, economic interdependence and transnational ties will prevent a complete lapse into anarchy. The Russian war against Ukraine and the growing U.S.-China rivalry …
Read More »Biden’s Cyber Conundrum: Virtual Invasion – Analysis
Introduction Chinese cyber activities have been described as the most active, broad, and persistent threat, as per the Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community brought out last month. The report concludes that at the heart of a decade-long campaign of making China a cyber power lies the fusion …
Read More »Diplomats in Robes?
The Supreme Court’s Unwelcome Forays Into Foreign Policy immigration program put in place by his predecessor, Donald Trump. That scheme, known as Title 42, relied on an old public health statute to expel more than 2.4 million migrants, including thousands of unaccompanied minors, at the southern border. But before Biden …
Read More »Iran Not Opposed to Deployment of EU Monitoring Mission Along Armenian-Azerbaijani Border
The Iranian ambassador to Armenia, Abbas Badakhshan Zohouri, announced on the sidelines of the “Armenia-Iran Relations in Context of Common Interests” forum, which was held on February 10, that “Iran does not oppose the deployment of a civilian EU [European Union] monitoring mission to the Armenian-Azerbaijani border” (PanArmenian.net, February 10). …
Read More »Poland’s (Lack of) Vision for Europe
Warsaw’s resistance to deepening European integration cannot be ignored by other EU capitals. To bridge conflicting perspectives on the union’s future, Brussels must engage in dialogue with Poland while insisting on respect for the rule of law. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought a shift of powers …
Read More »Hosting Russian Nuclear Weapons Will Have Far-Reaching Consequences for Belarus
The fate of Belarus as a state is becoming increasingly tied to the outcome of a future peace settlement. It will be hard for any subsequent government in Minsk to distance itself from Russia economically and politically of its own accord. But once Belarus starts hosting Russian nuclear weapons, it …
Read More »With Moscow’s Encouragement, Iran Moves More Deeply Into Russia Than Ever Before – Analysis
Not surprisingly, given Russia’s war against Ukraine, Iran’s decision to supply Moscow with drones and other military technology has attracted some of the most attention around the world (Cursorinfo.co.il, March 30). And equally unsurprising, given the long-term consequences of any change in east-west and north-south trade routes in the context …
Read More »Jordan: Another Peak In A Multi-Year Crisis – Analysis
Over the past few months, Jordan has undergone another peak in a multi-year crisis. It made headlines last April—the official centennial of the Hashemite monarchy in Jordan—with an unprecedented intra-family crisis ending with indefinite confinement to quarters of King Abdullah II’s brother (and former Crown Prince) Prince Hamza. Two of …
Read More »Xi-Putin Meeting Amidst China’s Ukraine Dilemma – Analysis
Much has been written about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent three-day state visit to Russia from 20th to 22nd of March. Globally, the high-profile visit was interpreted as China’s drive for a new global order, as well as Russia’s willingness to play the “second fiddle” or “junior partner” in its …
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