France’s Hollande Putting Off Tough Budget Decisions
François Hollande has raised taxes on the rich but is delaying tough spending and tax measures.
Assad’s Alpenfestung: An Alawite State in the Levant
Could Assad retreat to the Alawite heartland if the uprising forces him out of Damascus?
North Korea Plans to Liberalize Agriculture, Slightly
The communist regime will allow farmers to sell part of their produce on the market.
A Clarion Call for Change in Afghanistan
The prospects for Afghanistan following a Western military withdrawal are bleak.
Saudi Spy Chief Rumored Killed in Bomb Attack
A bomb attack on the headquarters of Saudi intelligence in Riyadh may have claimed the live of Bandar bin Sultan.
European Central Bank President Draws Line in Sand
Mario Draghi insists Italy and Spain will have to apply for a bailout first.
Could Republicans Lose Their Texas Stronghold?
Changing demographics and the radicalization of the Republican Party paint a grim picture for it in the South.
Spain Bringing Stormy Economic Weather This Summer
The European Central Bank is expected to help Spain address its economic woes.
Romney Offends Palestinians with “Culture” Remark
The Republican candidate offends the Palestinians by questioning their economic performance.
Iraqi-Syrian Kurdish Cooperation Presents Turks With Dilemma
Turkey can ill afford to suppress Kurdish insurgent activity on its Syrian border.
Badakhshan-Tajikistan Clashes Risk Sparking Insurgency
Wikistrat analyzes the murky but dangerous situation in Tajikistan.
Mitt Romney’s Israel Policy Wouldn’t Be Very Different
The Republican promises to do the “opposite” on Israel from Barack Obama, but that is unlikely.
Did Glass-Steagall Produce Sixty Years of Prosperity?
That’s giving too much credit to one law.
Greek Leaders Debate Cuts, Debt Restructuring Looms
With Greece’s leaders close to a budget deal, European officials consider further debt reduction.
European Central Bank Signals Willingness to Intervene
Mario Draghi appears to open the door to further action to stave off the prospect of the euro’s collapse.