The plan to pull troops from Afghanistan could give terrorist groups like al-Qaida and Islamic State a chance to regenerate the capabilities they would need to carry out an attack against the United States, according to top U.S. intelligence officials. Their warning, coming the same day U.S. President Joe Biden …
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April, 2021
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15 April
HUNGARY COULD TURN INTO CHINA’S TROJAN HORSE IN EUROPE
Revelations the Hungarian government is considering taking a huge, opaque and disadvantageous Chinese loan to pay for the construction of Fudan University’s new Budapest campus shows the depths that Orban’s Fidesz is willing to kowtow to Beijing. When Hungary’s top diplomat openly criticised the EU for sanctioning some of the …
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15 April
China Will Loom Large in Balkans Once Pandemic is Over
Despite the West’s growing suspicions about China, its role in the Western Balkans is likely to become even more central in the post-COVID-19 era. The global public has never talked as much about China as it has during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 struck China first, causing mayhem in Hubei Province. …
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15 April
Should Kosovo’s Ruling Party Play Opposition Politics in Albania?
The involvement of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his Vetevendosje party in backing opposition candidates in Albania’s elections risks creating divisions between the two countries when they should be working together to tackle the pandemic. Members of Kosovo’s government and MPs from the ruling Vetevendosje party headed to neighbouring …
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15 April
Political Crisis in Montenegro Threatens Government’s Reform Promises
Montenegro’s technocrat government made big promises when it took power in December, but it is struggling to retain the support of the parliamentary majority that voted it into office. Voted into office by a parliamentary majority comprising three political blocs, Montenegro’s technocrat government finds its hands tied by that same …
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15 April
Tunisia courts Egypt amid presidential dispute with Brotherhood-affiliated Ennahda
Tunisian President Saied Kais recently paid his first visit to Egypt since assuming power in 2019, in what analysts say is a move aimed at cementing relations in the face of the Muslim Brotherhood. On his first official visit to Egypt since he assumed power in 2019, Tunisian President Kais …
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15 April
Turkish court releases detained admirals
The 10 admirals were arrested last week after criticizing the possible Turkish withdrawal from the Montreux Convention, which regulates maritime traffic through the strategic Bosporus Strait. A Turkish court has ordered the release of several retired naval commanders who were arrested for criticizing the government. The issue relates to a …
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15 April
Will waqf expansion strengthen Jordan’s control of Jerusalem holy sites?
The Jerusalem Waqf Council is now witnessing changes after years of no activity. With the change of names and an increase in the number of representatives, is the council now more or less representative of the Palestinians? After years of the Jerusalem Waqf Council being dormant with very few changes …
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15 April
In Call With Putin, Biden Urges De-Escalation At Ukrainian Border, Proposes Summit
U.S. President Joe Biden has urged his Russian counterpart to take measures to ease mounting tensions with Ukraine and proposed a summit between the two leaders in a third country as Washington and NATO reaffirmed their support for Kyiv. In a phone call with Vladimir Putin on April 13, Biden …
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15 April
General Says NATO Prepared to Respond to Aggression Should Deterrence Fail
Generals provided testimony today regarding tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border and the ability of U.S. allies to move large numbers of forces quickly over great distances. Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of the U.S. European Command, and Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command, …
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