Long Live Minsk II?
The Minsk agreements are fragile.How effectively they are implemented will depend primarily on the Europeans’ ability to convince Moscow to pressure separatists into observing the ceasefire, and on Kyiv’s ability to keep nationalist militias in line. If either side fails to do so, the fighting is likely to resume. …read more...
NATO Commander Says Russia Still Arms Rebels, German Minister Visits Visegrad Leaders
Plus, Macedonian pupils borrow a protest lesson from university students, and a town in Uzbekistan demolishes a Soviet war memorial. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The Battle for Russia
The tragedy of Russia is that it poses as great a threat to itself as it does to its neighbors. As Europe faces off with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Ukraine, a larger and ultimately more important battle is taking place within Russia itself, one that pits the country’s rich culture against the cruel mendacity of its politics....
Putin’s Communications Difficulties Reflect Serious Policy Problem
23 March 2015 John LoughAssociate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme Vladimir Putin’s messages to his domestic and foreign audiences are escalating tensions with Western countries and forcing him to up the stakes for fear of appearing weak at home. Vladimir Putin attends a rally in Moscow on 18 March, marking the one-year anniversary of...
Whether Britain is better off in or out of the EU depends on a series of tough choices
Whether Britain is better off in or out of the EU depends on a series of tough choicesUK GDP could be 2.2% lower in 2030 if Britain leaves the EU and fails to strike a deal with the EU or reverts into protectionism, according to a comprehensive new Open Europe report. However, in a best case scenario, under which the UK manages to enter into...
POLITICAL AND SOCIAL OUTLOOK: The Crisis in Ukraine: An Estonian Perspective
…read more Source: Konrad Adenauer Foundation
After a Twelve Year Mistake in Iraq, We Must Just March Home
Twelve years ago last week, the US launched its invasion of Iraq, an act the late General William Odom predicted would turn out to be “the greatest strategic disaster in US history.” Before the attack I was accused of exaggerating the potential costs of the war when I warned that it could end up costing as much as $100 billion. One trillion...
OSCE helps Ukraine’s rescuers enhance capability to deal with underwater explosive threats
Andrii Dziubenko OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine donated to country’s State Emergency Service equipment for underwater survey and clearance operations at a ceremony in Odesa on Thursday, 19th of March 2015. Six special dive suits, four diver communication sets and two hydroacoustic stations will help Ukrainian humanitarian deminers...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 19 March 2015
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed sporadic artillery and mortar fire in a number of locations. Whilst patrolling in and around the “Donetsk...
Training for crisis response operations is essential part of struggle to prevent human trafficking, OSCE Special Representative says
Communication and Media Relations Section The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, emphasized the positive role that comprehensive training can play in preventing human trafficking in conflict and post-conflict environments during a 19 March 2015 address at...
