Section: Foreign Policy (USA)
FP’s Situation Report, presented by Lockheed Martin: Cold War-era deadlock between U.S. and Cuba is over; Russia searches for a Ukraine deal as its economy tumbles; Pakistan turns to Afghanistan for help after school attack; and much more.
By David Francis and Sabine Muscat The Cold War-era deadlock between the United States and Cuba is over, marking a new age for U.S.-Cuban relations. The standoff began in 1962 with Soviet missiles pointed at the United States from Cuba. It ended yesterday when U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro made simultaneous TV...
When it Comes to Foreign Policy, Is Jeb Bush His Brother’s Keeper?
Jeb Bush knows exactly what to say about President Barack Obama, who he derides as weak when it comes to the Islamic State, naive when it comes to Vladimir Putin, and incompetent when it comes to Ebola. Figuring out what to say about Obama’s predecessor, Bush’s older brother George, will be a lot more complicated. Surprising virtually...
FP’s Situation Report, presented by Lockheed Martin: Russian economy struggles under sanctions and low oil prices; Putin’s power at risk; Taliban strikes at the heart of Pakistan’s military establishment; and much more.
By David Francis and Sabine Muscat The Russian economy is in free fall, drowning under the weight of Western sanctions and sinking oil prices. President Barack Obama has long urged for patience to allow the weight of economic sanctions to hit Russia. Now, with the help of historically low oil prices, Russia finds itself in its most severe...
Making Putin Blink
The West’s financial weapons against Russia were meant to hit President Vladimir Putin’s foundation of power — the men and companies close to him — with surgical precision. Instead, Western sanctions, falling oil prices, and Moscow’s clumsy attempts to stem the damage have helped push the Russian economy closer to a meltdown....
With Russia’s Ruble in Free Fall, U.S. Plans New Sanctions
As the Russian ruble continues its tumble against the dollar, President Barack Obama plans to sign a bill imposing new sanctions against Moscow, adding more pressure to a Russian economy already headed toward recession. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said on Tuesday that although the president has concerns about the Ukraine Freedom...
Obama Can Thank Ted Cruz For Helping Him Fill Key Posts
Republicans are ripping Texas Senator Ted Cruz for inadvertently helping the Obama administration push through the controversial nominations of a number of key foreign policy nominees, including Tony Blinken for deputy secretary of state and Frank Rose for assistant secretary for verification and compliance, a key arms control post. Those...
FP’s Situation Report, presented by Lockheed Martin: More than 100 dead in Taliban attack at Pakistan school; U.S. doubts Iraqi PM’s commitment to reconciliation; Obama says the Islamic State has lost momentum; and much more.
By David Francis and Sabine Muscat More than 100 die in Taliban attack at a school in Pakistan. In one of the bloodiest attacks in years, Taliban gunmen stormed a school in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing as many as 100 students and teachers and wounding at least 80, according to initial reports. The attack occurred around 10 a.m. this...
Can Israel Solve Europe’s Energy Woes?
Israel has grand plans to ride to Europe’s rescue by offering a ready supply of natural gas to help the continent shake off its reliance on Russian energy. On paper, getting gas from the eastern Mediterranean holds plenty of appeal for the world’s most energy-import-dependent region, which was on the prowl for alternative suppliers...
Asia’s Pivot to Asia
Much has been made of the intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China, with Beijing working to edge America out of its Asian neighborhood even as Washington doubles down on its regional partnerships and presence. Less attention has been paid to regional dynamics underneath the umbrella of a U.S.-China relationship that...
White House on the Fence on New Ukraine Sanctions
President Barack Obama has yet to decide whether he will sign legislation passed by Congress last week that would allow him to provide weapons to Ukraine’s ramshackle military and increase the penalties on Russia’s energy sector, setting up a confrontation with the GOP-held Congress in the new year. The Ukraine Freedom Support Act of...
