U.S. President Barack Obama’s appearance on The Colbert Report this week confirmed that he has no qualms about leaving Canada in the lurch in current global energy glut. In the interview, Colbert observed that the Republican-controlled Congress would approve the … Continue reading →
NSA leaker Edward Snowden has applied to the Russian government for the extension of his temporary asylum, which expires July 31. There is public debate among the Western (but not the Russian) commentariat about whether his application will be granted. … Continue reading →
The post-Cold War era didn’t end with the Russian invasion of Crimea. It ended a decade ago. It is only now that Western politicians and opinion leaders have lost the possibility of continuing to deceive themselves. This is not the … Continue reading →
Political friction over economic issues between the US and China has faded for the time being, but its sources remain and may reappear at any time. Currency issues have been at the center of relations between the US and China … Continue reading →
Question: If you were an advisor to the president of the Kurdistan region, what recommendations would you make to him?
Answer: If I had the honor to advise the president of the Kurdish region, I would recommend taking a broad perspective, looking beyond the immediate political situation created by the United States. …
A significant indicator of Turkmenistan’s future diplomatic and economic course, and for the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline (TCGP) in particular, is whether new President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow will undertake a rapprochement with Azerbaijan. Former president Saparmurat Niyazov, self-styled “Turkmenbashi” (leader of Turkmens), … Continue reading →
It’s not going to happen in Riga next month, but in five to ten years Europe (by which I mean “Europe” and not only the European Union, i.e., including the European countries as members of NATO) may have digested its … Continue reading →
When US President George W. Bush was in India this month, he caused a flurry of commentary, especially in the Indian media, by appearing to lift long-standing American objections to the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Iran through … Continue reading →
Press reports have indicated that what separates the United States and Turkey in their negotiations [over conditions for American access to Turkish territory and facilities for military action against Iraq in 2003] the size and nature of the economic package wanted by Ankara. This is partly true, but it is not the whole story, and not even necessarily the most important part of the story. It remains to be seen at what point the national interests of Turkey and the United States may diverge in practice, not only tactically on the ground but also strategically in the political aftermath of the war.
Continue reading →A “Self-determination Conflict Profile” summarizing its history from the 19th century, the role of the United States, proposed solutions and an evaluation of prospects for the conflict’s settlement.
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