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Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic | January 8, 2012 Traditional warfare is being replaced by intelligence agency operated drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. ++ Americans won't see a debate about the war on terror because the details are secret. ++ Conservative estimates suggest that hundreds of civilians have been killed in Pakistan. ++ Secrecy is beneficial in international relations but citizens can ...More

Christian Mölling, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik | February 2012 NATO's operation in Libya has revealed significant deficiencies in European defense. It is not only that Europe's defense capability is chronically underdeveloped and the USA's support is dwindling. The resources that would allow European states to deal with these deficits are likewise shrinking dramatically. The defense budget crunch has strategic ...More

Mustafa Akyol, The Daily Star | January 7, 2012 If Turkey is to become a good model for Muslim nations it must synthesize liberal democracy with its traditional religious values. ++ "Post-Islamism" does not imply a detachment from Islamic identity. ++ The AKP has matched its pro-Palestinian position with peaceful support for a two-state solution. ++ Increasing authoritarianism in the AKP emerges from the ...More

John Kampfner, Index on Censorship | February 6, 2012 Beijing is dismissive of Western interests in the UN, prioritizing stability, economic benefit and non-interference. ++ Russia is Syria's largest arms supplier and is attempting to demonstrate an alternative to Western "belligerence". ++ Domestically, Putin fears bloodshed if public resistance does not subside when he returns to power. ++ The West can do little ...More

Rosa Brooks, The Los Angeles Times | February 3, 2012 Despite American rhetoric to the contrary, the United States’ power is declining. ++ Both Republicans and Democrats do not want to speak the simple truth that American influence is waning. ++ States such as China, India, and Brazil are developing into regional powers. ++ The American dream is dying: a small number of people do really well while the ...More

Robert Fisk, The Independent | February 2, 2012 Bashar al-Assad is hanging onto power in Syria despite a gradually developing civil war. ++ The current turmoil is the most precarious moment in Syria’s post-independence history. ++  No matter how much condemnation and bloodshed, the Assad regime is likely to continue fighting, even alone if need be. ++ While his time might be numbered and everyone ...More

Andrew Sniderman & Mark Hanis, Genocide Intervention | Feb. 1, 2012 It is time to use drones to benefit human rights advocacy. ++ Drones could replace the Arab League observers who suspended their operations in Syria last week. ++ The evidence could be broadcast to prosecutors at the International Criminal Court. ++ An environmental group uses drones to monitor illegal Japanese whaling. ++ Whilst violating national airspace may ...More

Micheál Martin TD, Fianna Fáil Party | January 31, 2012 Fiscal controls were not the cause of the Eurozone crisis and strengthening them will not solve it. ++ The debate over the crisis has been the worst of any Europe-related treaty, the current draft merely delays change for five years. ++ The "shut up and sign" approach is betraying the spirit of the union and Ireland needs to signal that it will not tolerate ...More

Editorial, Haaretz | January 30, 2012 President Netanyahu has turned the Iranian threat into a convenient distraction away from Israel's settlement policy. ++ He has taken advantage of President Obama's preoccupation with the presidential elections. ++ Both Israel's center and left parties have now adopted a policy of unilateral disengagement from Palestinian issues. ++ The end of negotiations for ...More

Johnny West, Open Oil Consultancy | January 27, 2012 The impact of Western sanctions on Iran goes further than "market plays, fire sales and opportunism" for India and China. ++ The long term role Iran plays in their energy security policies has been missed. ++ Iran has sought to lock both countries into 25-year contracts for its oil. ++ Ideological positions may factor domestically in India and China but they ...More