The case for Open Skies
U.S. military officials recently appeared to question American participation in the Treaty on Open Skies. At a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing on February 24, Admiral Cecil D. Haney, commander of Strategic Command, testified that he was “concerned in terms of overflights of any ability of another nation to learn more about our overall...
Russian soldiers ‘dying in large numbers’ in Ukraine – Nato
Nato’s deputy secretary general, told a conference in Latvia: “Russian leaders are less and less able to conceal the fact that Russian soldiers are fighting – and dying – in large numbers in eastern Ukraine.”There was “mounting evidence that the Russian incursion into Ukraine is becoming much less popular among the Russian public”. The US...
“You Have Not Defeated Me and You Never Will!” Ukrainian Fighter Pilot Nadiya Savchenko Tells Russian Court
Savchenko didn’t beg for leniency and refused to be exchanged for the Russian military intelligence officer captured in Ukraine, deeming such a swap unfair. Savchenko threatened to start a “dry” hunger strike if the court drags its feet. Her earlier experience proves that she is capable of carrying out her threat. If she dies in […]...
The Legacy of Obama’s Foreign Policy
This analysis looks back at President Barack Obama’s foreign policy and contends that it has been marked by three pillars – 1) “military reticence” and greater burden-sharing on the part of allies and partners; 2) an emphasis on dialog with past enemies such as Cuba and Iran; and 3) a shifting of America’s focus away from...
Russian Athletes ‘Still Doping’
German documentary gives new evidence of Russian athletes and coaches violating IAAF and WADA regulations. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Russia Declares War on Crimean Tatars
Two years after invading and annexing Crimea, Russia appears ready to outlaw the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, the representative body of the largest indigenous people of the peninsula. It is unclear whether Western countries will respond with more than words of deep concern if the Mejlis and its 2,300 representatives at various levels are criminalized....
Moldova to Elect Presidents by Popular Vote, Court Rules
Constitutional Court ruling that the next president must be elected by a national vote seen as unlikely to placate protesters. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 3 March 2016
This report is for media and the general public. The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations in Donetsk from the previous day and continued to observe a stable situation in Luhansk. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons; some of them were observed in violation of the withdrawal lines. The Mission facilitated and monitored...
Revamped traffic police rebrands Ukrainian law enforcement
First deputy minister for internal affairs Ekaterina Zguladze-Glucksmann provided a rare insight into the kind of reforms in Ukraine performed by foreign experts, such as herself. EurActiv reports from Kyiv. …read more Source:...
OSCE Representative issues recommendations on rights and safety of members of the media reporting on refugees
VIENNA, 4 March 2016 – The challenging refugee situation in Europe also has implications for freedom of the media, not least with regard to the rights and safety of members of the media reporting on this important issue, Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today. “There have been a number of cases where journalists...
