Berlin and Paris are squabbling over how to support Ukraine. To mend divisions and make Europe Kyiv’s number one defender, Chancellor Scholz must take on a leadership role. This is not the time for wavering or bickering over Ukraine. Yet that is what’s happening in Germany—and Europe. Germany’s Social Democrat …
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Montenegro’s Window of Opportunity
The new government’s pledge to align with EU standards makes Montenegro the likely next addition to the bloc. But fractious domestic politics could yet derail the country’s European ambitions. The EU is enlarging. If all goes well, there will be a new member state joining toward the end of this …
Read More »Judy Asks: Has the War in Gaza Irreversibly Damaged Europe’s Credibility?
The EU’s selective application of international law has tarnished its reputation in the Middle East and the Global South. Repairing the damage will be extremely difficult. Stefanie Babst – Strategic advisor and former NATO deputy assistant secretary general Credibility is a commonly used but very fuzzy term. Who in the …
Read More »Will Britain hold its armed forces accountable for alleged war crimes in the Middle East?
Last week, five British special forces soldiers were arrested for alleged war crimes during their deployment in Syria two years ago. They stand accused of using excessive force in the killing of a suspected militant, found with a suicide vest nearby, although the suspect was reportedly not wearing it when …
Read More »A US Withdrawal from Syria Is a Win for US Interests and Partners
Contrary to popular opinion, the United States and its local partners can benefit from a US withdrawal from Syria. Both have strong incentives to support this policy as alternative options will produce worse outcomes down the road. Washington should consider a complete drawdown of troops in Syria to ensure its …
Read More »The North-South Transport Corridor’s Black Sea Branch Could Help Scale Indo-European Trade
Russia isn’t pleased with being squeezed out of Armenia, but it might take some consolation knowing that this corridor could dissuade the West from exploiting Armenia to destabilize the region, which India and Iran could help it realize. The New York Times (NYT) drew the world’s attention to the North-South …
Read More »The General Amnesty Decision by HTS Didn’t Stop Demonstrations Against Julani
The Salvation Government of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), including Jabhat al-Nusra and its allies, has announced a General Amnesty decision aimed at releasing detainees arrested by HTS over recent months, following widespread protests demanding the departure of HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Julani. According to the decision issued by the Salvation …
Read More »Syria Today – Trial of Bosnian Man for “Warfare in Syria”, Lebanon Threatens Opposition Activist
The trial of Adnan Ćatić for allegedly organizing a terrorist group and engaging in foreign battlefield activities commenced following the reading of the indictment and the opening statement by the Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Concurrently, on Wednesday, 6 February, Syrian opposition activist and researcher Sheikh Jumaa Lehib received …
Read More »Out of Africa… La belligérance de Macron envers la Russie, contrepartie du rejet de la France colonialiste
Emmanuel Macron l’offensé s’imagine être en mission pour restaurer la «grandeur de la France», semblant nourrir le fantasme de diriger également le reste de l’Europe sous tutelle parisienne. Le président russe Vladimir Poutine a vu juste cette semaine lorsqu’il a expliqué pourquoi le Français Emmanuel Macron se pavanait et parlait …
Read More »Commander of Free Syrian Army to Enab Baladi: We are open to dialogue with everyone
In 2015, the New Syrian Army was established with the goal of fighting the Islamic State organization and the Syrian regime forces, but successive developments in the events led to the disintegration of the faction, with its nucleus remaining centered at the al-Tanf base, known as the “55-kilometer area,” where …
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