Five Things to Read on Trump’s Syria Withdrawal
President Donald Trump’s completely unexpected decision to pull 2,000 U.S. troops out of the conflict in Syria – announced this week via Twitter without much visible consultation – has predictably caused a bit of a shitstorm in the natsec community in Washington DC. There seems to be wide-ranging speculations about Trump’s motivations to make this […]
Assad Just Gassed Putin’s Chance at a Deal
It’s always difficult to pinpoint the moment in which a policy changes, but yesterday’s horrific chemical weapons attack in Idlib appears to signal a shift in how the Trump administration may view its options in the conflict. The attack, which has already killed more than 100 people and injured another 400, including a great number […]
Bibi’s Big Day in Washington
The level of attention directed toward today’s speech before the U.S. Congress by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is nothing short of remarkable. He’s on the front page of pretty much every news service, on every channel (even the disinterested European broadcasters), clogging the Twitter timeline of everyone remotely interested in politics. Bibi’s goal is […]
Israel, United States More Unpopular than Russia
Yesterday the BBC released the results of the latest GlobeScan International Policy Attitudes survey, which asks respondents to rate countries according to whether they have a negative or positive impact on the world. The most unpopular countries are the following: 1. Israel (56% negative) 2. Iran (54% negative) 3. United States (51% negative) 4. North […]
Russia News Blast
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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – June 4, 2020
Today in Russia: Russia to begin testing COVID-19 vaccine with paid participants; Europe nears tipping point with Russia while Russia continues to deny Bundestag hack; Norilsk environmental disaster continues, was “avoidable”; Russia sends more fighter jets to Syria; State pollster says 61 percent of those planning to vote will support referendum; Sberbank to buy online retailer Ozon; Sobyanin says most COVID-19 restrictions to be lifted by July 1
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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – June 3, 2020
Today in Russia: How Russian TV is covering US protests; Oil prides slide over fears of OPEC+ deal collapse; Moscow Exchange to extend trading hours to midnight; Norilsk fuel spill leads to declaration of emergency; Trump wants nuclear pact with Russia; Government sees no coronavirus risk in holding constitutional referendum; Ban on any campaigns opposing constitutional amendment; “There’s nothing the Kremlin hasn’t tried” to ensure referendum victory; Trump: “common sense” to invite Putin to G7; Has the United States abandoned arms control?; Polish regulator threatens to sue Gazprom
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RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – June 2, 2020
Today in Russia: Only “coronavirus immune” troops to march at Victory Day parade; Russian officials furious at accusations of involvement in USA protests; Kadyrov condemns police violence in USA; UK and Canada not keen on seeing Russia at G7; US Senate to push for Nord Stream 2 sanctions; $72.7 billion in economic recovery spending; US commander suggests sending trainers to Tunisia after Russia ramps up efforts in Libya; Yandex and Sberbank planning “divorce”; Russia will not conduct major exercises near NATO border, condemns NATO for doing so
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