Germany’s Siemens Company accused of scam to bypass Crimean sanctions
A new twist has been reported in the story of Siemens gas turbines which could be used to deliver the turbines to Russian-occupied Crimea without Germany’s Siemens openly bypassing EU sanctions. A check is urgently needed since the scam suggested would cast a shadow over Siemens and demonstrate serious failings in sanction controls....
Michael McFaul Makes RT An Offer They Can(not) Refuse
Russian state-run TV network turns down former U.S. ambassador’s offer to host his own show. From Global Voices. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The Marrakesh Climate Negotiations – a Mirror of a Divided World and Silent Europe
Compared to COP21 where the EU had a decisive bridge-building role between developed and developing countries in leading a strong climate coalition, in Marrakesh Europe appeared silent and divided. “Have a bias toward action – let’s see something happen now. You can break that big plan into small steps and take the first step right...
From Quasi-State to State Department: Rex Tillerson
The chief executive of one of the world’s largest companies has been nominated to fill the United States’ oldest cabinet position. Rex Tillerson, head of ExxonMobil, would be the first secretary of state in modern history with no public-sector experience. Nonetheless, this appointment is consistent with the Trump...
Ukrainian hostages savagely tortured for ‘Crimea saboteur confessions’ fight back
Two Ukrainians seized by Russia’s FSB and accused of a ‘Crimean sabotage’ plot have lodged formal complaints with Russia’s Investigative Committee. Both allege savage forms of torture applied by the FSB to extract ‘confessions’ and demand proper investigations …read more Source: Kharkiv Human Rights Protection...
Presentation of the research paper “Audit of the Minsk Agreemnets”
On December 19, the Institute of World Policy will hold presentation and discussion of the research paper on implementation of Minsk Agreements and possible scenarios for Ukraine …read more Source: Institute of World...
Rex Tillerson Might Make Good Deals. But for Whom?
Emma Ashford Donald Trump’s cabinet of generals and billionaires looks poised to gain another controversial member: Rex Tillerson. The CEO of ExxonMobil is now the secretary of state nominee. His nomination raises several red flags, but the central one is: conflicts of interest. In that, he’s a perfect match for the Trump...
Ukraine bans import of ’anti-Ukrainian’ books from Russia
Ukraine’s parliament has passed a law aimed at checking books from an aggressor state for ‘anti-Ukrainian content’ and, where such content is found, banning them. While the ongoing abundance on the Ukrainian market of material full of toxic lies and propaganda is of concern, doubts arise about the law’s efficacy, as well as over...
Beyond the Headlines: RAND’s Christopher Paul Discusses the Russian ‘Firehose of Falsehood’
Christopher Paul, a senior social scientist, discussed his study on Russian propaganda at a recent RAND event. A massive, ingenious, and concerning campaign of propaganda has been pumping westward for years, supporting the Russian agenda in Ukraine and Syria and likely trying to influence the U.S. presidential election. …read more Source:...
Dutch PM to Propose Weakening Landmark Ukraine Pact
Domestic dilemma forces Mark Rutte into taking a position that many Ukrainians see as a betrayal of their hopes. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
