From Ice to Fire Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto, but unrecognized state fought over by Armenia and Azerbaijan, may not appear on any map, but recent events warrant increased attention on this part of the globe. Several developments in Azerbaijan, including increased military spending, an arms deal with Israel, and the talks with Russia over the Gabala Radar Read More…
6. Regions
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Interview with Professor Alan Dowty
The NATO Council of Canada had the opportunity to sit down with Professor Alan Dowty from the University of Notre Dame. Professor Dowty is a foremost expert on Middle East International Relations and Israeli politics, and recently served his second time as a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies, Oxford Read More…
Women: The Egyptian Revolution’s Biggest Losers
During the first 18 days of demonstrating for freedom and democracy, Egyptian men and women stood side by side in Tahrir Square. Women died next to men and did not falter in their pursuit of these ideals. As the struggle becomes institutionalized, however, the voices and demands of women are being limited and ignored in Read More…
NATO, The African Union and the Fight Against Piracy
By: James Marcus Bridger One would be hard pressed to find an article analyzing Somali piracy—be it journalistic, academic, or militarily focused—that does not make the claim that this maritime problem can only be solved on land. In the four years that the international community has attempted to address this crisis, however, a coherent and Read More…
Xi’s Ticket to Ride
By: Ben Hartley While the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) constitutes the basis for single party rule in China, the internal political dynamics that govern succession politics create a balance between diverging opinions within the party that have allowed for China’s long-term stability in governance and economic growth. Set to undergo the first major leadership succession Read More…
Russian Foreign Policy is Taking a Disturbing Shape
By: Amina Abdullayeva Russia has seen its fair share of domestic turmoil this week as crowds took to the streets to protest falsified parliamentary elections. Such activity on the part of thousands of ordinary citizens had not been seen since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Mass agitations are often emblematic of notable socio-political changes, Read More…
The Syrian Uprising: Signs of a Protracted Military Conflict
By: Alexander Corbeil The Syrian crisis has entered into its eleventh and bloodiest month, with roughly 8,000 dead and no end in sight. The Free Syrian Army (FSA), though under heavy barrage in Homs, continues to provide stiff resistance against President Bashir al-Assad. Damascus’s security forces and elements of the military have proven their loyalty Read More…
Beyond Trade: Establishing a European Presence in Asia
By: Jason Naselli from the Atlantic Community – Berlin. At Issue: The European Union must reach out to Asian partners and become a credible player on issues other than trade. A strong EU-Asia policy can contribute to stability and advance Europe’s overall political, economic, and security interests. Atlantic Community members and regional experts believe that the European Union Read More…
Goodbye to EU Prestige Thinking: Redefining the CSDP
By: Jason Naselli from the Atlantic Community – Berlin. At Issue: The EU must restructure its Common Security and Defence Policy based on economic and operational realities. It should emphasize narrow, logistically feasible operations over broad outlines, clearly delineate its partnership with NATO, and take a longer term view when developing operational strategies. All of the recommendations in this memo come Read More…
Security Despite Austerity: Improving Europe’s Defense
By: Amrit Naresh from the Atlantic Community – Berlin. At Issue: Europe’s defense sector needs reform. To cut costs and improve capabilities, states should consolidate national priorities to enhance political cooperation, streamline their administrative structures, further integrate their militaries and create an open defense market across the EU. Recognizing that Europe’s defense ministries must cut spending to stay within Read More…