Obama Slaps Ally in the Face with Steel Tariffs
Less than three years after finalizing a free trade deal, the United States impose tariffs again on South Korea.
Nick Ottens
Nick Ottens is a public affairs officer for the Dutch Animal Coalition and a board member for Liberal Green, the sustainability network of the Dutch liberal party VVD. He is a former political risk consultant and a former research manager for XPRIZE, where he designed prize competitions to incentivize breakthrough innovation in agriculture, food and health care. He has also worked as a journalist in Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York for EUobserver, NRC, Trouw, World Politics Review and Wynia’s Week, among others.
Why Even an Airplane Crash Won’t Make Putin Back Down
Russia’s propaganda has so strongly made the Ukrainian separatists’ case that it cannot back down now.
Despite Plane Deaths, Dutch Careful Not to Antagonize Russia
Almost 200 of their nationals died in Ukraine, but the Dutch are reluctant to blame Russia.
Israel Launches Gaza Ground Offensive Against Militants
Israel sends infantry and tanks into the Gaza Strip.
Passenger Jet Crashes in Eastern Ukraine, Kiev Accuses Rebels
Ukraine accuses pro-Russian militants of shooting down an airliner that crashed in the east of the country.
Tripoli Airport Attacked as UN Pull Staff from Libya
Heavy fighting forces the closure of Tripoli’s airport and convinces the United Nations to pull out.
Amid Gaza Strikes, Netanyahu Rules Out West Bank Withdrawals
The Israeli leader says he is not prepared “to create another twenty Gazas” on the West Bank.
Egypt’s Sisi Sees Regional Islamist Threat, Promises to Support Iraq
The former army chief is realigning Egypt’s foreign policy back in favor of its traditional Sunni allies.
Iraq’s Kurds, Accused of Backing Insurgents, Demand Maliki Resign
The leader of Iraq’s Kurds calls the premier “hysterical” for accusing them of harboring radical Islamists.
Preliminary Afghan Voting Results Suggest Widespread Fraud
According to preliminary election results, far more Afghans voted in the second round than did in the first.
Iran Says Pilot Died in Iraq, Confirming Military Presence
Iran seems to confirm it deployed jet aircraft to support the Iraqi government in announcing the death of a military pilot.
Egypt Cuts Fuel Subsidies in Effort to Reduce Deficit
The austerity measures mark a break with the stopgap economic measures of Egypt’s last government.
Ukraine Signs Europe Pact, Recaptures Rebel Stronghold
After finalizing an association agreement with the European Union, Ukraine’s forces retake Sloviansk.
Xi Seen Distancing China from North Korea
The Chinese president seem to regard relations with his communist neighbor dispassionately.
Hungary to Build Russian Pipeline Over EU Objections
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has no intention of withdrawing from the South Stream pipeline.