Russia Unveils Moon Landing Plans
Private companies to be allowed into the Russian space services market within five years. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
NATO’s future structure: From ‘A Hard Look at Hard Power’
The Strategic Studies Institute recently published A Hard Look at Hard Power: Assessing the Defense Capabilities of Key U.S. Allies and Security Partners. Edited by Gary J. Schmitt, codirector of the Marilyn Ware Center for Security Studies at AEI, and featuring contributions from him, AEI scholar Michael Mazza, and others, it fills critical gaps...
Shutdown of yet another independent magazine in Kazakhstan a further sign of deteriorating media freedom, OSCE Representative says
VIENNA, 27 October 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the shutdown of yet another media outlet in Kazakhstan, a move that can further limit free expression and free media in the country. On 22 October, the district court in Almaty, upon the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, ruled to annul...
Investigation: Desheli’s Business Practices Exposed
How the cosmetics firm in Moldova has been drawing people, unwittingly, into the clutches of loan companies. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Obama just fell for a classic Russian ruse
Recent Russian efforts to magnify its Middle East influence have been accompanied by a seeming surge in Kremlin “reasonableness.” In fact, Russian calls for new Syrian elections and sharing intelligence with Western powers are nothing more than exercises in “maskirovka,” Russia’s classic technique for disguising its real...
Ukrainian Coalition Holds Ground in Local Voting
‘Emperor Palpatine’ wins seat on Odessa city council. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
One more time on avoiding a new Cold War
I do not want to unduly extend my debate with Jeremy Shapiro and Sam Charap about the trade-off between avoiding a new Cold War and negotiating with Russia over Ukraine. Their most recent blog post, however, misses two key points. Paying dues First, the Budapest Memorandum—in which Russia, Britain, and the United States committed to respect...
After Ukraine’s Local Elections: Early Misinterpretations
Even before the results of Ukraine’s recent local elections have been published, flawed conclusions are emerging from the postelection analysis. …read more Source: Carnegie Endowment for International...
Video: The Present and Future of Russia’s Economy and Energy Sector
The past two years have seen the Russian economy placed under immense strain. The combination of persistently low energy prices and Western sanctions tied to the conflict in Ukraine led to a substantial devaluation of the ruble and significant fiscal problems, heightening already serious concerns about the long-term viability of Russia’s...
There is no political will to fire General Prosecutor of Ukraine
Deputy Director General, Director of Political and Legal Programs at the Razumkov Centre Yuriy Yakymenko was invited to the Ukraine Today studio to discuss the possible changes in Ukrainian General Prosecutor’s Office and effort to tackle corruption through reforms. “We had three consecutive general prosecutors who were fired and now...
