Afghanistan: America’s Major Nonexistent Ally
Back in July, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it official: Afghanistan is now a Major non-NATO Ally (MNNA), a classification that all but ensures that defense and development aid will continue to flow through 2014 and beyond.
TAP Pipeline: Look Who’s Switching Off the Gas This Time
It's not Moscow, but the new government in Rome that might be turning off the TAP and dooming the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project.
Malaysia Election: Upstart and Establishment Autocrats Square Off
The upcoming Malaysian election is a political saga for the ages.
South China Sea Dispute: Taiwan
In the fifth article of our series on South China Sea claimants, we examine the historical reasoning, diplomacy, and military dimensions of the Taiwan claim.
Iran UN Sanctions
China and Russia's consent to the new UN Security Council resolution against Iran reflect the modest nature of the resolution and an underlying desire by both countries that Iran not aquire a nuclear deterent, rather than a more fundamental shift in geopolitical alignment.
US-Sudan Rapprochement over Oil, Security
Despite its accusations of “genocide” in Darfur and an outbreak of violence in oil-rich Abyei, the US is negotiating with Sudan to normalize diplomatic relations.
“War on Terror” Extends Somalia’s Crisis
A recent Amnesty International report documenting war crimes by US-backed forces in Somalia and US air strikes that have killed more Somali civilians than alleged al-Qaeda operatives underscore Washington’s role in Somalia’s humanitarian crisis.
Darfur & Chinese Arms Sales
China is selling small arms to Sudan, which are used in the Darfur conflict to maim and kill civilians, in exchange for access to Sudanese oil. The violence in Darfur will continue as long as China continues its oil-for-weapons trade with Sudan.
Syria and Israel’s Hollow Peace Talks
Syria announced last week the existence of back-channel peace negotiations with Israel.