Europe

By Robert Coalson | ( RFE/RL ) | – – As Russian warplanes continued their partial withdrawal from Syria two days after President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly announced that Moscow's objectives in the country had been "generally accomplished," observers debated how the move changes the situation in the volatile region. Russian analysts are divided on what […]

Russia

Why is Putin Really withdrawing from Syria?

contributors

By Alexander Titov | (The Conversation) | – – Back in September 30 2015, when Vladimir Putin unexpectedly announced the deployment of the Russian air force in Syria, the consensus was that this would prove to be a costly mistake. Critics argued that airstrikes alone would not make any tangible difference to the facts on […]

Bashar al-Assad

Mystery: Russia & Hizbullah begin withdrawal from Syria

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – al-Hayat [Life], the London pan-Arab daily, reports on the announcement Monday by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would begin withdrawing the greater part of Russian men and equipment from Syria. Al-Hayat is careful to note that Putin says that the Russian naval base at Tartus […]

Europe

Has The Gateway to Europe Been Shut To Refugees? (AJ+)

Nicholas Kolenda

AJ+ Reports on a tentative deal between countries of the EU and Turkey

Displaced and Refugees

As EU pays Turkey billions to stop migrants, Anger over ‘unconscionable’ border closures

contributors

By Lauren McCauley, staff writer | ( Commondreams.org ) | – – As EU and Turkey barter over migrant lives, campaigners decry pay-outs and border closures as ‘unconscionable’ Leaders from the European Union and Turkey on Monday held negotiations over what to do with the unprecedented wave of migrants fleeing war and violence in the […]

Climate Change

Refugees Sew Lips As Calais Jungle is Demolished (AJ+)

Nicholas Kolenda

Refugees sew at the Calais refugee camp in France sew their lips shut in protest of poor living conditions.

Europe

To combat Extremism on both Sides, Europe Needs its own Islam

contributors

By Massimo D’Alema and Tariq Ramadan | ( EurActiv.com ) | – – To escape from extremism and xenophobia, Europe needs to carve a European Islam, not an Islam composed of communities influenced by their countries of origin . . . Europe is in a paradoxical situation. The tragic challenges that shook Europe in 2015 […]

Featured

Syrian Ceasefire: A Signal that Russia is winning the War?

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Whether or not the cessation of hostilities in Syria holds, it is a major turning point in the revolution and civil war that began in 2011. As of Saturday morning in Syria, the major fronts between the regime and the Muslim Brotherhood factions were quiet. There […]

Petroleum

The Saudi-Russian Oil Price Freeze is about Power, not Money

contributors

By Nafis Alam | (The Conversation) | – – Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world’s two most powerful oil producers, have reached a tentative agreement to freeze oil production at its current levels. As the first deal between an OPEC and non-OPEC member in 15 years, it marks a significant declaration of intent. But it […]