Russia’s intervention in Syria: Protracting an already endless conflict
Russia’s intervention in Syria has introduced a dangerous new dynamic into an already volatile and complex conflict. Rather than advancing its self-proclaimed objective of fighting terrorism, many more Russian strikes have targeted moderate rebels — “vetted” and supported by the United States — as well as other...
The EU needs a message people can get behind
A new political message is urgently needed for the EU, and it must be more political and less technocratic than before. Fiscal compacts and banking unions are much needed, but are insufficient to explain the EU’s raison d’etre to the general public. New opportunities such as the Internet of Things could affect the economies of member...
The Razumkov Centre Newsletter №24
This issue contains articles and interviews of the Razumkov Centre’s experts, dealing with most topical issues in Ukraine’s current affairs. In particular – domestic politics, security sector, the situation in the Ukrainian economy and energy sector. Read the Razumkov Centre Newsletter №24 …read more Source: Razumkov...
Israeli Analyst Calls on Ukraine to Facilitate Peaceful Transition in the North Caucasus
Israeli analyst Avraam Shmulevich has urged Ukrainian authorities to take a more pro-active approach to the situation in Russia. Shmulevich visited Ukraine to consult the newly created inter-party parliamentary group “Za Vilniy Kavkaz” (For a Free Caucasus). In an interview with a Ukrainian news agency, Shmulevich said Ukraine should pay...
New Russian Book Says Only Ideological Approach Can Defeat Islamic State
A new 226-page book written by a group of scholars widely reputed to be close to the Russian security services argues that Islamic State (IS) is, first and foremost, an ideological phenomenon. As such, this militant group can only be contained and then defeated on the territory of the Russian Federation by the articulation and mobilization of a...
Russia’s Syrian Game and Its Implications
Russia is nowhere near as isolated or as bereft of options in Syria as Western governments would like to believe.‘We’re not going to make Syria a proxy war between the United States and Russia’, US President Barack Obama told journalists recently, as Russian jets continued their air strikes over the war-torn country. But that...
Moldova: The Billion Dollar Question
On the brink of bankruptcy due to corruption Moldova, like neighboring Ukraine before it, is at risk of imploding. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
OSCE/ODIHR-supported study visit of Ukrainian police and prosecutors to Poland focuses on hate crime and freedom of religion or belief
193381 Police, prosecutors and members of the Security Service from Ukraine discussed effective responses to hate crime and international standards on freedom of religion or belief during a three-day study visit to Warsaw organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) from 19 to 21 October 2015. The participants...
Common security challenges across Mediterranean require stronger co-operation mechanisms, say participants at 2015 OSCE Mediterranean conference
SWEIMEH, Jordan, 20 October 2015 – Challenges affecting the Mediterranean region require co-operative solutions as they cannot be effectively tackled by any single country alone, assess participants at the 2015 Annual OSCE Mediterranean Conference in Jordan. “The Mediterranean does not divide us, it unites us,” said the Minister of Foreign...
OSCE media freedom representative calls on authorities in Croatia not to obstruct journalists in their work, following incident at border
VIENNA, 20 October 2015 – Croatian law enforcement officers should facilitate the work of journalists reporting on the refugee crisis, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today. “Law enforcement officers must ensure journalists’ safety and protect journalists’ right to report in a safe and free manner,”...
