Section: The Huffington Post (USA)
Why the West’s Strategy of Containing an ‘Aggressive’ Putin Is Misplaced
Since the March 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea and the initial forays of Russian military forces into Eastern Ukraine, Western policymakers, academics and media figures have frequently depicted Russia as an aggressive power and Putin as a belligerent statesman who seeks to destabilize the international system to maximize Russian power. The...
Met Opera: Love and Obsession in ‘Iolanta’ and ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’
At first thought, the heroines of Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta and Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle wouldn’t seem to have a lot in common. But as the Metropolitan Opera’s snow-delayed opening of those two seemingly disparate one-acts showed, both are simply looking for love in a couple of very unlikely places, especially in the...
New Greek Defense Minister Prompts Turkey To Scramble Jets
ATHENS, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Greece’s new nationalist defense minister prompted Greece’s perennial rival Turkey to scramble jets on Friday, just days after he took office, by flying over uninhabited islets off the Turkish coast that nearly triggered a war in 1996. Turkish fighter jets entered Greek airspace and were intercepted by...
Greece’s Leftist Government Sparks Fears Of A Russian Beachhead In Europe
LONDON — Just days after shaking European economic policy to its core with a sweeping win in Greek elections, the radical leftist party Syriza is challenging a fundamental tenet of the continent’s foreign policy by seeking a softer stance on Russia. Both before and after coming to power this week, party leaders have made no secret of their...
The Relationship With Saudi Arabia Is the Starting Point for U.S. Long-term Interests
There are many reasons behind the scramble by the United States, both at the level of the executive branch and the legislative branch, to affirm to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz that Washington is determined to maintain and develop the historical relationship between the two countries, especially at this critical juncture. Part of the rush to...
Death Toll Rises As Battles Rage For East Ukraine Town
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — At least 12 civilians and 5 Ukrainian troops have been killed in the past 24 hours in war-ravaged eastern Ukraine. Full-blown fighting between Russian-backed separatists and government forces erupted anew at the start of January following a month of relative tranquility. The city hall in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk said...
When Politicians Struggle to Find a Pathway to Peace, Business Must Step It Up
It’s hard to disagree that with great power comes great responsibility. And, in today’s world, much of the power resides with global business. Nowhere is it more apparent than in Davos. Last week, I took part in a special session of the WEF, which was designed to bring business elites from Ukraine, Russia, Europe and the rest of the...
The Global Order Can Only Be Saved If New Powers Are Let In
GENEVA — As 2015 begins, the values enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are under threat. Around the world, personal liberty, human rights, and democracy are at risk — even in countries that have embraced democratic ideals. The international community is deeply divided, blocking...
Greek Bailout In Focus As EU Parliament Head Visits Athens
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The European Parliament’s president arrived in Athens Thursday for a visit closely watched for signs of a potential clash between Greece’s new left-wing government and its bailout lenders. Martin Schulz is the first European Union official to meet Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose new Cabinet alarmed the Greek...
Special Guest Star: Bibi!
You know that a TV show has hit a bad stretch when the producers bring in a controversial guest star to boost ratings. A reality show about a two-year-old beauty pageant star is tanking in the ratings? Bring in Sarah Palin to serve as her life coach. Saturday Night Live on a long spiral downward? Invite Anthony Wiener to host — or better...
