Section: US & Canada
Conservatives urged to adopt ‘Twiplomacy’ in foreign affairs
Canada is increasingly relying on a new style of diplomacy — called “Twiplomacy” — that takes place in bite-sized increments of 140 characters or less. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government is turning to social media in an effort to engage in online diplomacy, practise “open policy development” and...
Diplomatic Memo: Iraq Strikes Seen as Giving Putin Pretext in Ukraine
If Russia sends forces into Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin can point to the American intervention in Iraq as justification for protecting a population under siege. …read more Source: The New York...
Weekend Roundup: America’s Top Strategic Priority Should Be ‘Reopening’ to China
Writing from Vladivostok, Artyom Lukin sketches a scenario for The WorldPost of where we might end up 20 years from now — World War III-lite — if we continue on the present track. As often in history, seemingly unrelated events on opposite sides of the globe can converge to determine the long course of destiny. As Lukin outlines, such...
Kyiv Battles Separatists Along Border; Proposes New Sanctions
Ukrainian government forces battled Russian-backed separatists in eastern regions Friday, a top official said, as Kyiv proposed sanctions against dozens of Russian companies and individuals. The fighting came as Ukraine’s armed forces tightened cordons in and around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, the last remaining strongholds for...
Obama Can Ignore Public Opinion on Foreign Policy
War-weary after the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and reeling financially from the Great Recession, the public wants U.S. leaders to focus more at home and shoulder far fewer burdens abroad. The public certainly rejects more American “boots on the ground,” and will strongly resist the new U.S. advisers and air strikes in Iraq. MoreIraq...
Iran Gives Russia Its Best Chance to Hit Back Against Western Sanctions
At the end of April, once the first round of Western sanctions against Russia had taken effect, Vladimir Putin warned the U.S. and Europe that he would not let the assault on Russia go unpunished. “The Russian government has already proposed some retaliatory steps,” the Russian President said, and he would “have to think...
US warns Russia against intervention in Ukraine
UNITED NATIONS (AP) – The United States warned Russia on Friday that any further intervention in Ukraine, including under the pretense of delivering humanitarian aid, would be viewed as “an invasion of Ukraine.” U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power delivered the warning at a Security Council meeting focusing on the … …read...
Blast in Ukraine’s Capital Stirs Fears of New Conflict
The explosion, which injured at least two people, came as protest barricades and tents still stand in the central square months after demonstrations that toppled the government. …read more Source: The New York...
Kyiv Unveils ‘Terrorism’ Sanctions Against Russian Citizens, Companies
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk says the Ukrainian government is proposing that sanctions be imposed by Ukraine against 172 citizens from Russia and other countries and 65 Russian companies who are financing “terrorism” in the country. …read more Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio...
New Ukraine rebel leader gives Moscow distance from mutiny
A Ukrainian has replaced a Russian at the helm of the insurgency in eastern Ukraine and declared that he wants “only moral support” from Moscow, as the Kremlin apparently tries to rebut Western claims that it is calling the shots among the rebels. …read more Source: CTV...
