Thinking Regionally on Syria

by Robert E. Hunter Following the US-Russian agreement, the Syrian government’s chemical weapons must now be destroyed. To do this without putting UN employees at impossible risk, the Syrian civil war must also stop. To do that requires a plan… Continue Reading →

Obama and Putin: Co-Dependent on Syria

by Mark N. Katz The international relations of the Syrian conflict has taken center stage in recent days. President Obama first announced that he would launch a military strike against Syria in response to the Assad regime’s use of chemical… Continue Reading →

The Saudis Aren’t Going Anywhere

by Thomas W. Lippman Whenever a Saudi Arabian king or senior prince publicly criticizes U.S. policy, they inevitably touch off speculation about how the Saudis may be rethinking their security alliance with the United States. The Saudis have lost confidence… Continue Reading →

Syria: With Russia in the Lead, Vigilance Required

by Wayne White The main objective of the Russian chemical weapons (CW) initiative this week was to steer the US away from military action in Syria that might weaken the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Although Moscow also is concerned about… Continue Reading →

Washington’s Worries Grow Over Saudi Ties

by Jim Lobe via IPS News As the administration of President Barack Obama continues wrestling with how to react to the military coup in Egypt and its bloody aftermath, officials and independent analysts are increasingly worried about the crisis’s effect… Continue Reading →