The ancient city of Palmyra has been the stage for mass executions, the destruction of cultural heritage, battles between ISIS and Syrian government forces, and now in an absurd turn of events, a concert put on by Russia’s Mariinsky Theater Orchestra.
Despite the EU and the US confirming this fact, the Canadian government has resisted calling the atrocities taking place in Syria and Iraq a genocide.
Despite economic turmoil and challenged political credibility of Russia on the world stage, the Panama Papers revelations will not pose a significant threat to the stability of Putin’s regime but will worsen Russia-U.S. relations and the country’s image in the West.
A possible shipment of Russian S-300V4 anti-aircraft missiles have been seen crossing into Iran from the border region with Azerbaijan near the Caspian Sea. Russia confirmed that the sale of the S-300 system would be fulfilled following the P5+1 Nuclear Agreement.
Recently, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged that a genocide is occurring. We all knew about it for a long time.
The refugee crisis in Europe stems from competing state and non-state actors in Syria and uneven responses by state and supra-state actors in Europe. But one of the most interesting—and useful—responses to the crisis have been at the individual level.
Many in the Middle East are curious how the next American president will deal with the major unresolved issues in their tumultuous, unsettled region.
ISIS’ potential acquisition of radioactive material puts forward a scenario in which the extremist group may try to produce and use a “dirty bomb”.
The multiplicity of Kurdish national movements throughout the Middle East adds an additional layer of complexity in the fight against ISIS.
Many leaders who are currently in power were decision makers during the time the events of the Rwandan genocide unfolded. Despite peacekeepers showing evidence of what was occurring and Western leaders having full knowledge of the genocide, next to nothing was done to stop the violence.
Lacking outside alliances and with the geopolitical situation slowly starting to tilt against it, Islamic State’s pretensions to act as a legitimate government seem to have its days numbered.
Following Saudi Arabia’s execution of the Shiite Cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, observers of the Middle East are pondering a multitude of eventualities, many of which point to a hot conflict between the two regional powers.
Visually and narratively attractive, packed with little-known facts and eye-catching clips, the film paints a faithful portrait of the U.S. Foreign Service while fair-mindedly probing a range of issues.
While much of the media focuses on U.S. foreign policy failures, scandals, or intra-agency turf battles, this film reminds us that the career personnel are talented, dedicated people whose commitment to public service and American interests includes considerable sacrifice.
“America’s Diplomats”, the Foreign Policy Association latest production is a must-see documentary for anyone interested in the history of American diplomacy or considering a career in the Foreign Service.