Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 27 October 2015
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. There was an increase in fighting around the area of Donetsk airport. Luhansk region remained relatively calm. The SMM observed...
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 27 October 2015
Please note that this report is for media and the general public. SUMMARY Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic decreased at both BCPs. A forty-first Russian Convoy crossed the Donetsk BCP. DETAIL OM’s staff...
OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine supports civil society’s engagement in justice sector reform
Andrii Dziubenko The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine in co-operation with USAID’s “Fair Justice” Project concluded a two-day forum on 28 October 2015, which brought together public officials, representatives of civil society and the judiciary, and international experts to share best practices and lessons learned in promoting civil...
Kremlin Perplexed by Montenegrin Leader’s ‘Strange’ Statements
Russia is trying to derail his country’s NATO aspirations, Milo Djukanovic says. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Yandex Moves Into Algorithmic News Business
Russia’s largest search engine will tap its data-crunching power to send news quicker and more cheaply. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
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...
