Economic, Not Electoral Concerns Doomed Ukraine Pact
Leaders in Kiev didn’t worry about losing voters. They worried about losing access to the Russian market.
Year: 2013
Karzai Jeopardizes Afghanistan Security Pact
Why is the Afghan president putting his country’s security at risk by refusing to sign?
Vietnam Expected to Loosen State Controls, If Carefully
The Communist Party must liberalize the economy but doesn’t want to jeopardize its position either.
Senate Threatens More Sanctions as Iran Talks Resume
Lawmakers plan new sanctions against Iran, regardless of what progress is made in Geneva.
German Parties Close to Coalition Deal But Eye Smaller Partners
The Social Democrats signal they are open to a coalition with the far left.
Thai Government Destabilized by Protests, Border Dispute
Opposition protests and an international court ruling in Cambodia’s favor pose serious challenges.
After Years of Friction, Afghan Pact Rests with Tribal Leaders
Afghanistan’s Hamid Karzai agrees to a framework that would allow foreign troops to stay.
Britain’s Cameron Articulates Conservative Vision, Finally
The British prime minister argues that shrinking government is the right thing to do.
Ukraine Suspends Europe Trade Talks, Turns to Russia
Russia’s stick seems to have made more of an impression in Kiev than the European Union’s carrots.
Forces Defeat Rebels at Qara, Retake Damascus-Homs Highway
Bashar Assad’s regime restores a critical line of communication to supply its operations in the north.
Vested Interests Could Stymie China’s Economic Reforms
Local party barons and powerful state enterprises could resist reforms by China’s leaders.
Pakistan Should Be Wary of Giving Saudis Nuclear Weapons
A nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia could put Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan and Iran at risk.
Leftist Bachelet Wins Chile’s Election, But Faces Runoff
The former president promises to undertake ambitious education and tax reforms.
Maduro Asks Decree Powers as Venezuela Inflation Soars
The president promises to use his special powers to crack down on “bourgeois parasites.”
Trying to Find a Rhyme: The Middle East’s New Age
It is tempting to compare the upheavals in the Middle East to previous revolutions, but history does not simply repeat itself.