December, 2022

• 5 December

  Syrian opposition gears up for Turkish ground operation

  

  As the Turkish-backed opposition factions prepare for an imminent Turkish ground operation against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, questions arise about the potential participation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in the battle. The Turkish-backed factions in northern Syria are gearing up for an imminent ground operation led by Turkey against Kurdish forces, …

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• 5 December

  2022 Central Europe Week

  

  MON, DECEMBER 5, 2022 • 2:00 PM ET1030 15TH STREET, NW12TH FLOORWASHINGTON, DC 20005 A week of hybrid programming highlighting how the United States and Central Europe can together lead in shaping transatlantic responses during times of war and geopolitical crisis, while also underscoring our unique cultural connections. The 2022 …

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• 5 December

  Pakistan-Afghan Taliban relations face mounting challenges

  

  Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul continue to rise. While Pakistan has made efforts to smooth over the growing rift, reopening a key border crossing at Spin Boldak-Chaman closed following cross-border gunfire that killed a Pakistani security guard on Nov. 13 and sending its minister of state for foreign affairs on an …

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• 5 December

  Israel and China: The Bloom Is Off the Rose

  

  Israel was the first country in the Middle East to recognize the People Republic of China (PRC), in 1950. Although the two states did not normalize their relations until 1992,[1] since then the bilateral relationship has developed extensively, especially in the economic sphere.[2] As Yellinek has established, “Starting in the early …

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• 5 December

  Morocco and Israel: Economic Opportunities, Military Incentives, and Moral Hazards

  

  The December 2020 Moroccan-Israeli normalization deal has evolved from a vehicle enabling Morocco to gain long-sought U.S. recognition of its claims on Western Sahara to a broader strategic partnership with Israel. Geopolitically, the relationship provides clear benefits to both sides: for Morocco overt access to Israeli security and military cooperation, …

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• 5 December

  ISIS is back in the open in southern Syria

  

  On Oct. 31, local units previously affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) launched a large-scale military operation against the al-Hafo-Harfoush group in the southern Syrian city of Daraa al-Balad. The units responsible for carrying out the operation in the Tariq al-Sad and al-Mukhayyam neighborhoods had chosen to remain in …

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• 5 December

  Russia And Iran Plan To Open Trade Via The Caspian Sea – OpEd

  

  In a move that reflects both the increasing ties between Moscow and Tehran and the difficulties both countries have in shipping via the Caucasus land bridge given instability and political changes there, the two governments have announced plans to open trade on the Caspian Sea between Astrakhan in Russia and …

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• 5 December

  Do Protests In China Threaten Xi’s Power? – Analysis

  

  The splendour of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s crowning moment where he wangled a third term during the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the rising protests by demonstrators calling an end to his signature zero-COVIDstrategy and even seeking his ouster are a study in contrast. As Xi commences his third term in …

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• 5 December

  Russian Oil Price Cap Will Fuel Energy Crisis – OpEd

  

  West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent crude futures were volatile during the holiday-shortened trading week amid plans to impose a price cap on Russian oil. The policy is poised to go into effect on Dec. 5 when the European Union establishes a boycott on nearly all of Moscow’s petroleum products. …

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• 5 December

  Deflation Is Not A Problem: Reversing It Is – Analysis

  

  The yearly growth rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell to 7.7 percent in October from 8.2 percent in September. Note that in October 2021 the yearly growth rate stood at 6.2 percent. Some experts are of the view that it is quite likely that the momentum of the …

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