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.
Pakistan’s Militant Groups Splintering
It's a dizzying time for anyone trying to keep track of militant groups in Pakistan. Over the past two years, ever smaller groups keep appearing; as they do, they focus on more specific kinds of attacks.
GPM Economic Outlook: France
France has posted some encouraging GDP growth numbers in 2015 so far, but high debt levels and some uncompetitive sectors leave it vulnerable in the event of another global economic downturn.
Iraq-Syria Border: The Next Durand Line?
Deteriorating stability in both Syria and Iraq suggests that the Middle East might be skidding dangerously close to the precipice of a widespread sectarian conflict.
Aleppo: The Key to Ending the Syrian Civil War
The Battle for Aleppo is the ultimate turning point for the Syrian civil war. It’s also a powder keg for relations between Russia and the West.
Temperature Rises in Ukraine’s New Political Season
The governing coalition is hemorrhaging support and trying desperately to silence any whispers of early elections.
Is Germany’s Top Terrorist Dead or Alive?
His jihadist career has taken on nearly mythical dimensions. According to some reports, he is the mastermind behind Islamic State media operations. According to another, he was recently the target of a “honey-trap” set by a female FBI agent sent to Syria in order to extract information from him.
Rosatom & Russia’s Nuclear Diplomacy
The Kremlin is expanding its global nuclear footprint via Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation.
Gazprom’s New Strategy of Control: Recapturing the EU Gas Market
Energy Union was struck a blow by the Brexit, but it can still bounce back.
Ebola in DRC: Violence and Instability in a Hot Zone
The Ebola epidemic response is failing in the DRC, and local policing procedures might have something to do with it.