The Arab spring has slid into a long, hot summer. After toppling their autocratic regimes, Tunisia and Egypt have yet to show their movement toward democracy is sustainable, while the violent conflicts in Syria and Libya drag on. ++ Some fear Islamists could emerge triumphant from these messy conflicts. But a host of young, dynamic reform groups are also beginning to show a pulse. ++ These
... More
In the aftermath of the Moscow Metro attacks, the situation in the supposed homeland of the attackers continues to escalate. ++ The 150 Daghestani fighters hiding out in the forests - the so-called “forest brotherhood” - receive much of their “financing from Arab and Western sources… via Arab bank subsidiaries in Azerbaijan.” ++ The local clans employ the forest brotherhood in their struggle to
... More
