Armenia and the Islamic State: Between Non-Existent Past and Impossible Future Published: 29 June 2015 IS-held territory is quite close to Armenia, around 400 kilometers as the crow flies. The threats emanating from the IS have a geopolitical and regional component which are bound to be a concern for Armenia. By Alexander Iskandaryan
Islamic State and Georgia's Muslim community Published: 27 June 2015 The emergence of the Islamic State implies significant political and geographic transformation. Georgia as a territory is not in the spotlight of these changes unless appropriate conditions take shape, in particular, if they win a big number of supporters. By Ruslan Baramidze
“I worry about the commitment to Article V” Published: 16 June 2015 A new study released by the Pew Research Center finds that many European publics are highly conflicted over whether to defend a NATO ally against a potential future attack by Russia. In order to gain insight into the way the study was perceived in Washington’s policy circles, we interviewed Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security.
Syria: Two versions of the Stone Soup story Published: 17 June 2015 Cease fires, in the current situation, can neither achieve their objectives nor lead to a political solution to the conflict in Syria. By Haid N. Haid
With or Without Him? The German Debate on Putin’s Suspension from the G7 Published: 10 June 2015 Under Germany’s presidency, the G7 convened for the second summit in a row in the absence of Vladimir Putin. As long as Putin does not change course in Ukraine, the G7 are well advised to stick to their suspension of Russia from their ranks. By Charlotte Beck
The EU and the Migrant Crisis: Not Much More Than a Point Defense Published: 2 June 2015 At the southern border of “Fortress Europe”, the Mediterranean has turned into a graveyard. The current migrant crisis in Europe is about more than a risk to the EU’s reputation. It strikes at the core of the EU’s founding values. A continuation of its half-hearted response to the migration crisis is out of question. By Charlotte Beck
Azerbaijan Waiting for the Islamic State: What's Next? Published: 29 May 2015 A sad anniversary is upon us. The 29th of June marks exactly one year since the declaration of the global Caliphate - the Islamic State (previously the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). This anniversary is an occasion to reflect on the impact that the various radical Islamic movements and groups have on Salafis (adherents to a strain of Sunni fundamentalism) in Azerbaijan and just how active Azerbaijani Salafis may be in transnational networks and organizations of Islamic radicals. By Sergey Rumyantsev
Hope for the Middle East WMD Free Zone amidst a Failed NPT Review Conference? Published: 27 May 2015 How will the failure of the 2015 NPT Review Conference affect the goal of the weapons of mass destruction free zone in the Middle East? An Essay by Tiara Shaya. By Tiara Shaya
"I never thought it would be easy" Published: 17 April 2015 In the conflict with Russia, the EU has considerd military action only as the last resort. This should not change in the future, says Rebecca Harms, president of The Greens–European Free Alliance group in the European parliament.
Syria: The battle over narratives Published: 31 March 2015 Syrians and their supporters who continue to hope and believe in the justice of this revolution tell us that our country has never in its history done anything better than entering into this revolution. By Mohammad al-Attar