October, 2022

• 6 October

  State Department Of Nepotism – OpEd

  

  The State Department has a new appointee. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has: “Designated Monica P. Medina as the United States’ Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources, signaling the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to resolving the world’s intertwined biodiversity and water crises. Monica Medina is the Assistant Secretary of State …

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• 6 October

  What Is Putin Thinking? – OpEd

  

  Despite Vladimir Putin having explained in a 7,000-word manifesto a year ago what was on his mind, pundits continue to try predicting his next move. And that is precisely the problem. Putin plays the tune, and NATO and the US begin the waltz, always a couple of dance steps late. …

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• 6 October

  Why The Russian Population Supported Authoritarian Power – OpEd

  

  One of my areas of research in institutional economics is the social behavior of people under different political regimes, what Thomas Schelling called micromotives and macrobehavior. Of course, this topic is directly related to many disciplines, from behavioral economics and political theory to the neurobiology of decision-making and the theory …

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• 6 October

  Yemen government slams Houthi threats to attack oil ships

  

  The internationally recognized government of Yemen has slammed Houthi threats to attack oil ships and called for international action to stop the group from damaging civilian infrastructure and power sources. Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak described the threats as “criminal and terrorist activity,” adding that the Iran-backed Houthis …

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• 6 October

  Syrian government gears up for major military operation against IS in the desert

  

  Syrian government forces are deployed in the Syrian desert in preparation for a large campaign against the Islamic State. Media sources from Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria told Al-Monitor that government forces instructed members in Deir ez-Zor and Raqqa to mobilize ahead of a major military operation in the Badia …

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• 6 October

  Israeli defense minister fosters security ties in Azerbaijan

  

  Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled this week to Azerbaijan on the backdrop of growing tensions with Iran and Jerusalem’s desire to deepen strategic, security and economic ties with Baku. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz traveled this week to Azerbaijan, where he met with President Ilham Aliyev and Defense Minister …

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• 6 October

  Tunisia’s Islamists under siege as Saied rolls back democracy

  

  Islamists are bearing the brunt of President Kais Saied’s “counter revolution” with their leaders facing possible jail time and little public sympathy, as many view them as the principal architects of the economic woes and political gridlock that has long gripped the country. On a gray December morning, Noureddine Bhiri …

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• 6 October

  Iran says average age of arrested protesters is 15

  

  According to Iranian authorities, those protesting Mahsa Amini’s death are some of the youngest ever seen in the country. According to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the latest protests in Iran are being attended by some of the youngest age groups ever to attend protests in the country. Ali …

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• 6 October

  Conflict Risk Alerts

  Armenia Clashes erupted along border with Azerbaijan, marking deadliest escalation since 2020 war as fighting spilled deeper into Armenian territory; fighting could escalate once more as negotiating positions harden.

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• 5 October

  War and Resistance in Putin’s Russia

  

  The Ukrainian resistance has scored major victories in its struggle to liberate its country from Russian occupation. Putin, facing defeats on the battleground, has issued draft orders for 300,000 people in Russia to shore up his military forces in Ukraine. He has also staged “sham” referendums in occupied Donbas as …

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