David Fedman of FPA’s East Asia blog has written a thorough review of Michael Swaine’s “China and the AfPak Issue“. According to Fedman, in the piece Swaine, a China expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, ‘deftly outlines the myriad of often-competing strategic interests in the region that add texture to China’s foreign policy […]
Russia has got a spring in its step. It is reported to have finally agreed with the US on a new nuclear treaty, its state gas company is in line to take over Ukraine’s pipelines, and its loyal businessman has bought an influential British newspaper. It is resuming ties with its former Socialist allies, And, […]
War is a scary event which happens to destroy cities, lives and take everything a person would have in life. It is always difficult for children to understand what war is and why it happens. If children get affected by a frightening event like war, that affection would remain with them for the rest of […]
To really understand an international political issue or situation, knowledge of the local geography is necessary. A presentation I saw a few years back by an American marine who served in Afghanistan showcased that no modern technology, weapon, tactic, etc. could completely supplant the axiom that ‘Geography is destiny’. It is for this reason I […]
So, another day of anti-government riots in Russia, beginning with the requisite calls for Putin’s resignation and ending in dozens of arrests. What to make of it all? Ask the FPA Russia Blog’s MAGIC 8 BALL. Q. Do the protests have a lot to do with economic issues? It is decidedly so. “Support for Mr […]
Happy Novruz everyone. I am full on plov from the Seattle-Tashkent sister city celebration. Mmm. Kazakh Oil Company leaders have met with striking workers in Zhanaozen. Since March 4, several thousand workers have been striking over various issues relating to wages and leadership. As head of the OSCE, Kazakhstan is feeling some pressure to be a […]
David Miliband: Do you think President Hamid Karzi will be able to provide a stable situation in Afghanistan with his new cabinet? Mr President Hamid Karzi has possessed presidential election through corruption. Do you think he will be able to eliminate corruption from the country itself ? Do you think Mr Karzi has education, health, […]
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, watch this Irishman named Patrick speak his mind on the current American strategy and presence in Afghanistan and the lack of media coverage of the war: Kennedy does a more than fair job offering a critique of the American presence in Afghanistan and President Obama’s counterinsurgency/Drone attack strategy. But […]
We at the Foreign Policy Association welcome new blogger for Afghanistan, Tahera Nassrat. I, in particular, am very excited to have her expertise and unique perspective brought to this blog. Here is more about Tahera, our new blogger: Tahera was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. She finished her primary education in Kabul and higher education in […]
As if the actual invasion had not blown up in his face enough already, Saakashvili decided to score another own goal – this time with a virtual one. On Saturday evening, countless Georgians saw what they believed to be news reports of a Russian invasion. What happened then resembled the aftermath of the original broadcast […]
Government, After collapse of Taliban regime, Afghanistan first democratic presidential election took place in October 2004. Hamid Karzai has been elected as president of Afghanistan. Ten million Afghans, more than a third of the country, registered to vote, including more than 40% of eligible women. Karzai was declared the winner in November, taking 55% of […]
Or should I say, ‘Continue!’ When it comes to the geopolitical game, Afghanistan President Karzai, Iranian President Ahmadinejad, and US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates are more than willing to let the dice roll. Gates got to go first, when he made an unannounced visit to Kabul earlier in the week, and was followed by […]
Foreign Policy Association’s Water’s Edge series currently features an article by Daniel Widome analyzing President Obama’s surge strategy by taking a closer look into the Marja offensive and recent arrests of high ranking Taliban members inside of Pakistan. Here’s an excerpt: Taken together, the operation in Marja and the arrests in Pakistan could signal an […]
Who celebrates International Women’s Day anymore? 100 years since its inception, the venerable event could use a lift. While it remains an official national holiday in Russia, time and government cooptation have dulled its radical roots as it transformed into an apolitical celebration of femininity and spring time – a sort of Eastern European Mother’s […]
If you know your internet memes, you’ve probably already met Eduard Hill, the ‘Soviet Rick Astley’ whose somewhat sinister lip-synched song is being sent by scores of bemused American hipsters to their unwitting friends. Meanwhile, their counterparts in the Russian blogosphere are getting fired up by a much more literal car crash; in which a […]