Terrorism never happens in a vacuum, yet questions of motive remain largely taboo. We know that the female suicide bombers that killed at least 38 (hopefully this number will keep) innocent Moscow commuters came from the restive Caucasus region. We know that Medvedev and Putin, backed by Obama, have vowed to exact uncompromising revenge. But […]
Recently the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) proposed that GCC countries needed to be in direct discussion with Iran and Iraq to help develop a safe, secure and advanced nuclear energy program in the Gulf. The program would be a win-win situation for both the Gulf countries and Iran as this venture would provide Iran with […]
Tonight marks the beginning of the Passover holiday, with Jews in Israel and around the world sitting around a table for the annual Seder when the story of Moses leading the Exodus from Egypt is all but reenacted. A central, and defining, element of the Passover Seder involves the youngest child asking four questions on […]
It was a successful weekend for the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as they test fired the nuclear-capable Agni-I, Prithvi-II and Dhanush missile in quick succession. All three are indigenously developed missiles. On Saturday it first test fired Dhanush, a ship-based anti-surface missile, off INS Subhadra in the Bay of Bengal. Dhanush has a range of 350 […]
As was expected, the Arab league summit ended without any significant decisions to speak of. In fact, the summit was cut short when the leaders opted to give their statements to the assembly in writing. Most Arabs ordered their plane to be readied for take off Sunday early afternoon. The division between member states, between […]
This coming Monday Venezuelans will enjoy an entire week off to celebrate Semana Santa (Holy Week) instead of the normal Thursday-Friday break. One might think that in a country where more than 90% of the population is Catholic this would be cause for greater attendance at church. In reality, it will likely mean longer vacations […]
Official results for the Iraqi elections were announced, and Former prime minister Ayad Allawi’s secular Shia Iraqiya party has won a majority by two seats. However, just like the American elections of 2000, no clear winner and prime minister can be determined at this time. Current prime minister Al-Maliki has vowed to ask for a recount of the […]
Finally, China comes to the table on Iran. A few days ago Liu Zhenmin, a former deputy ambassador to the U.N. and lead Chinese negotiator on previous Iran sanctions, reportedly participated in a conference call about U.S.-proposed Security Council sanctions, ending months of disengagement on the issue. While this is a step in the right […]
The Canadian federal government has signed an R&D agreement with the University of Calgary to develop a geoscience research center in Calgary dedicated to studying energy and the environment. Oil and gas, minerals, and sustainability issues will all be topics of study for the new research center. The laboratory will share space and equipment with […]
In this piece Messrs. Sam Shoamanesh and Hirad Abtahi of the International Criminal Court (ICC) argue for a united Western Asia that, in their opinion, could form one of the most influential and prosperous regional blocks in modern history. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-sasan-shoamanesh/not-a-emnew-middle-eastem_b_514469.html
The Home Minister of Bangladesh, Sahara Khatun argued that there is no legal statute of limitations or moral force that prevents arresting those individuals considered war criminals. At a ceremony held at a college, Sahara Khatun claimed “They must be arrested… there is no need to issue new directives from the home ministry in this regard.” […]
David Fedman of FPA’s East Asia blog has written a thorough review of Michael Swaine’s “China and the AfPak Issue“. According to Fedman, in the piece Swaine, a China expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, ‘deftly outlines the myriad of often-competing strategic interests in the region that add texture to China’s foreign policy […]
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