Section: Project Syndicate (Czech Republic)
Saving Global Order
Around the world, personal liberty, human rights, and democracy are at risk, while the international community is deeply divided, blocking progress on challenges ranging from the crises in Syria, Iraq, and Ukraine to climate change and trade. Three factors – all likely to persist this year – are driving these unsettling trends. …read more...
Russia’s Preemptive Counter-Revolution
Russia’s return to dictatorship does not represent any form of continuity with the country’s imperial ambition, cultural traditions, or national character. As the Ukraine crisis shows, President Vladimir Putin’s only interest is in protecting his regime and its elites. …read more Source: Project...
The Russian Threat Runs Out of Fuel
For Europe, the defining event of 2014 was Russia’s annexation of Crimea and military intervention in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, which directly challenged Europe’s renunciation of the use of force to alter national borders. But Russia is no longer in any position to sustain its aggressive foreign policy. …read more...
A Way Out for Ukraine and Russia
Finding a solution to the crisis in Ukraine will require the resolution of a dispute between Russia and the West over NATO’s enlargement into what Russia regards as its sphere of influence. The parties to the conflict would be wise to take a lesson from the diplomatic efforts that helped bring the original Cold War to an end. …read...
Europe at War
Assisting Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression would have a stimulative effect not only on Ukraine, but also on Europe. That is why the EU ought to be even more committed to helping Ukraine than it is to imposing sanctions on Russia. …read more Source: Project...
Standing Up to Putin
The accumulation of conflicts and crises in Eastern Europe and the Middle East present new challenges for NATO and the European Union. Both institutions need to clarify their objectives, beginning by helping Ukraine stand up to Russia’s Vladimir Putin and join the community of democratic, liberal, and prosperous countries. …read more...
Darkness on the Edge of Europe
Whether Ukraine is reduced to a semi-sovereign buffer state, and the rule of brute force is given free rein, depends on whether world leaders understand that appeasement begets only further aggression. If they do not, 2015 could mark the return of a European and world order that was supposedly overcome seven decades ago. …read more Source:...
Russia’s European Home
Last spring, after Russia intervened in Ukraine, the US and the EU introduced sanctions against Russian individuals and businesses. But if sanctions are to be an effective tool in countering Vladimir Putin’s ambitions, they must combine a firm hand toward Russia’s president with an open one toward its people. …read more Source:...
Betting on Ukraine
One might have expected the heroic commitment of Ukrainians to Europe’s democratic ideals to trigger a rush of Western support for the country as it simultaneously battles Russian aggression and economic collapse. But, so far, passivity and platitudes have prevailed. …read more Source: Project...
Putin’s Winning Streak
Since Russia invaded Crimea last summer, the West has relied on a strategy of economic sanctions and isolation to compel the Kremlin to stop intervening in eastern Ukraine. But Russia’s recent diplomatic successes – particular with Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan – have all but negated the effectiveness of this strategy. …read more...
