Kleptocracy Watch | January 12, 2018
The week’s leading news and features on globalized corruption and the threat to democracy… TOP STORIES Global Magnitsky Act: 52 individuals and entities were sanctioned in the first tranche of designations – but the real story is the extraordinary Executive Order that Trump signed to do it, writes Rob Bershinski. (Just Security) Beyond...
Germany’s Critics of Russia Sanctions: What Motivates Them?
Russia / Europe At the end of January, the prime ministers of five regions in what was formerly East Germany demanded a softening or lifting of the European Union’s sanctions against Russia. “Restrictive policies are not working. We need new approaches,” said Reiner Haseloff, prime minister of Saxony-Anhalt (CDU). The head of...
Reforming Ukraine’s Energy Sector: Critical Unfinished Business
Transforming Ukraine’s energy sector is essential to strengthening the country’s economic and national security. Despite intensified efforts and some recent progress, the outlook is troubled. …read more Source: Carnegie...
Beetles Chomp Down Belarusian, Polish Forests
The infestation is but one symptom of a pestilence spreading across the northern hemisphere. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
12 Traditional Ukrainian Dishes You Must Try
Source: The Culture Trip The peculiar features of traditional Ukrainian food have been forming over centuries. The neighboring countries, climate conditions, rich soil and hard-working locals have influenced the complexity of the dishes. Ukrainian dishes are generously flavored (with garlic often the main seasoning) and, despite the contradictory...
Understanding Russia’s Appetite for Uranium
Economy Russia is the third-largest consumer of uranium in the world, and the country aims to be a key driver of growth in uranium markets over the next few years. The evidence of Russia’s intent can be seen domestically through its own nuclear power expansion efforts. In Central Asia, Russia draws on close ties from the Soviet period to...
Crimea is a Black Hole for Human Rights
Expand OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic, at the Permanent Council in Vienna, 16 January 2014. © 2014 OSCE/Micky Kroell The election of Dunja Mijatović as the new Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights is great news for human rights. Dunja Mijatović served as a special representative on media freedoms with the...
How the European Union Became Divided on Russia
Originally produced on Jan. 22, 2018 for Mauldin Economics, LLC By Xander Snyder Last week, the prime ministers of Hungary and Bulgaria criticized EU policy toward Russia for being too harsh. The European Union imposed sanctions against Russia in response to Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine, but Hungary and Bulgaria are concerned that the...
Safeguarding Civil Society Against Authoritarianism: Lessons from Former Soviet States
Invitation Only Research Event 13 Feb 2018 – 16:00 to 17:30Add to CalendariCalendar Outlook Google Yahoo Chatham House, London Russia and Eurasia Programme …read more Source: Chatham...
Syrian Kurds: the Other Woman in America’s Relationship with Turkey
Ted Galen Carpenter Tensions have existed for years between Washington and Ankara over the Kurdish population in both Iraq and Syria. U.S. officials regard the Kurds as able fighters and democratic secular allies in the struggle against Islamic extremism. Turkish leaders view them and their agenda for an independent Kurdish homeland as a menace...
