Recent Posts

Nord Stream 2: Don’t Make a Bad Deal Worse

Rather than antagonize its European partners with more sanctions in a crusade to preserve the status quo, the Biden administration should direct its resources toward preparing for a world in which Nord Stream 2 becomes a reality. The Biden administration faces an urgent decision on the controversial Nord Stream 2 …

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Heart of Asia Conference on Afghanistan Kicks Off in Dushanbe

A regional ministerial conference called the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) started Monday in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe to try to advance the goal of ending the decades long conflict in Afghanistan. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who arrived early Monday to attend the annual conference, also met his Tajik counterpart Emomali …

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Russia-Africa Inter-Party Conference Targets Development In Africa

Over the past few years, Russia’s sphere of influence in Africa has been strengthening and broadening with much focus on helping to maintain peace and security, and making investment in exploiting natural resources in Africa. The first historic Russia-Africa summit held in October 2019 has, further and concretely laid out …

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EU ready to mediate in Nile dam crisis

With negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam at a standstill, the European Union has offered its services as a mediator. The European Union has expressed willingness to help mediate the crisis between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam if the concerned parties request it, according …

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America’s Back—Against a Wall

Three problems stand athwart Biden’s plans for a rules-based international order. Anyone who thought international politics would calm down once Donald Trump left center stage has had a rude awakening. After the Alaska confrontation between top U.S. and Chinese officials and the slanging match between Presidents Biden and Vladimir Putin, …

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Russia, Iran Vie for Syrian Oil ‘Leftovers’

The behind-the-scenes scrap between Russia and Iran over oil wealth in northeastern Syrian regions, which are not held by the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has intensified. As Syria is in the grips of a stifling economic crisis and Western sanctions, Russia and Iran’s attention has shifted towards investing in …

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