Editorial Newsletter December 2016
EU-Russia relations: time for a reset? One of the external threats the EU is confronted with concerns the relationship with Russia. The annexation of Crimea, the interference in Eastern Ukraine and Russia’s bombardments in Syria are examples of Russian activities having a serious impact on security in Europe. As a side effect another frozen...
Intelligence report on Kremlin hacking makes any reset close to impossible
Intelligence report on Kremlin hacking makes any reset close to impossibleExpecting conclusive evidence in the declassified intelligence report about the Kremlin’s alleged hacking would be naive in the current U.S. political environment, where Russia is seen as an adversaryExpecting conclusive evidence in the declassified intelligence...
Russia and the EU: Teaming up to save the environment in 2017?
Russia and the EU: Teaming up to save the environment in 2017?As Russia gets set to mark the Year of the Environment in 2017, there is growing hope that the Kremlin might be able to partner with the EU on several showcase environmental projectsAs Russia gets set to mark the Year of the Environment in 2017, there is growing hope that the Kremlin...
In 2017, stopping hostilities in Ukraine is now a matter of political will
In 2017, stopping hostilities in Ukraine is now a matter of political willInterview: Alexander Hug of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine discusses the current situation in the war-torn nation, focusing on the need to avert a large-scale humanitarian disaster in the war zoneInterview: Alexander Hug of the OSCE Special Monitoring...
Kuwait Needs Economic Reform, but Opponents Dominated National Assembly Election
Doug Bandow Kuwait City, Kuwait—Kuwait is one of the freest nations in the Persian Gulf, as well as one of America’s best friends. Yet its “liberalish” governance, as one Kuwaiti colleague described it, ironically impedes the adoption of market-oriented economic reforms necessary for the country’s prosperity. The latest election for...
Moscow Lands Second Hard Punch on LinkedIn
Dispute over data storage law underlines rising state control over the Russian internet. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Cyberattacks Raise Concerns Over Russian Meddling in Montenegro
The small Balkan state could get the green light for NATO entry within weeks, a step Moscow fiercely opposes. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
East Europe Cold Snap Begins to Ease
The bitter weather that bore down on much of Europe in recent days left a trail of death and damage. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Year in Review: 2016, the Year of Unmarked Change
Compared to the tumult of 2013-2015, 2016 was a year of seemingly relative quiet in Russia’s near abroad. There were no obvious invasions, the wars that had seemed to be ever-present remained that way, and change seemed to come to the periphery alone. This is mistaken. Ukraine’s ongoing war in the East continued to no real resolution,...
USA Today Parrots Kremlin Propaganda on Crimea
Hopes are high in Russia that its investment in the US elections will pay off in the removal of economic sanctions and acceptance of Russia’s illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea. Since none of the conditions for waiving sanctions have been met, other methods to sell such an option are being applied …read more Source: Kharkiv...
