Section: US & Canada
The Kremlin Pulls on Georgia
As Russian forces consolidate their gains in Ukraine over the flat protests of Western leaders, the specter of Russian revanchism is keeping much of Eastern Europe on edge. But lumbering tanks and legions of insta-separatists aren’t the only concern. Ukraine isn’t Russia’s only target. Perhaps most alarming are the warning signs...
Democracy Lab Weekly Brief, March 9, 2015
To keep up with Democracy Lab in real time, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Jason Pack and Mattia Toaldo call for the West to stop picking sides in the Libyan conflict. Peter Salisbury warns that Saudi and Iranian meddling in Yemen risks sparking a sectarian civil war. Juan Nagel questions Venezuelan President Maduro’s ability to sustain...
Putin reveals secret deal to annex Ukraine
Vladimir Putin said that he met with security officials in February to make plans for saving Ukraine’s then-President Viktor Yanukovych. …read more Source: Toronto...
Beauty in the Ceasefire: A Pageant in Donetsk
Over the weekend in Ukraine’s breakaway republic of Donetsk, self-proclaimed authorities celebrated International Women’s Day by holding a beauty pageant. The contestants were all female soldiers fighting with pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. Presenting portraits of themselves, and modeling in both dresses and military fatigues,...
German minister hopes Moldova stays committed to Europe
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Germany’s foreign minister said Monday that he hopes Moldova will stay on its pro-European path after the former Soviet republic elected a government backed by a Communist party. Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Germany wouldn’t “withdraw any offer” to Moldova, but said “it is Moldova’s turn to react.”...
Who killed Nemtsov? Radical Islamist link called into question
KIEV, Ukraine — Was Boris Nemtsov gunned down footsteps from the Kremlin by radical Islamists because of his support for Charlie Hebdo? That is message that the Kremlin is pushing. But Ilya Yashin, a close friend of Nemtsov and the co-leader of his liberal opposition party, says the suggestion he was killed by Chechen Islamists is...
‘Russian Occupier’ Parody Brings ‘Pain, Hatred’
“All I do is bring pain and hatred, and now I’m coming to you!” warns a parody of a recent viral video glorifying the role of the Russian occupier. …read more Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio...
Calls Grow in Germany to Reverse Cuts to Army
As the Ukraine crisis sharpens the focus on defense across Europe, Germany is stopping junking good military equipment and is rethinking its decadeslong focus on a smaller, cheaper army. …read more Source: The Wall Street...
How a fog of war, blowing from Moscow, clouded the truth in Crimea
A year ago, the Russians denied its troops had moved beyond their bases in Crimea; now, Putin boasts about Russia’s intervention. What will Moscow be saying a year from now about eastern Ukraine? …read more Source: The Globe and...
Putin describes meeting to take Crimea before referendum
Associated Press read more …read more Source: CNS...
