By Christiane Hoffmann Der Spiegel In an interview with SPIEGEL, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discusses his optimism that a deal will be reached over Tehran’s nuclear program. But he warns this does not mean the country is seeking rapprochment with the West. Mohammad Javad Zarif, 55, …
Read More »Russian Air Force Chief Praises Ka-52 Attack Helicopter as World’s Best
The Commander of the Russian Air Force praised the Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter as the world’s best; the comments came during the aerial acrobatics contest “Aviadarts 2015” in the city of Voronezh, in the South-West of Russia. “I think it is clear that this is the most …
Read More »Libya on the Eve of Arab Led Operations
The momentum towards the beginning of the Egypt-led coalition operations in Libya are gaining steam: Two weeks and counting down according to some Arab officials with the launch of full-blown air sorties and special operations to enhance General Khalifa Haftar’s Operation Dignity. Significantly, in eight months of fighting, …
Read More »Russia, the USSR and Afghanistan, Yesterday and Today
What kind of role will Russia play in the region after NATO troops have left, and to what extent does the Soviet invasion of the 1980s still shape local attitudes? True to the ‘X factor’ of Afghanistan’s nebulous, twisting history, it took a relic of the Soviet fishing …
Read More »Moscow to hold largest military parade since end of Soviet Union
The upcoming Victory Day parade on Red Square on May 9 is set not only to be the biggest in modern times in terms of troops and military hardware involved, but will also feature the largest number of brand new war machines on show to the public for …
Read More »In Turkey, Saudi Arabia Finds an Unlikely Partner Against Syria
While the war in Yemen remains inconclusive, Saudi Arabia is escalating its intervention in Syria. Unlike the Yemeni theater, where the Saudis are the largest military force, the Syrian battleground will be more complex for Riyadh. The Saudis will be partnering with Turkey, and Riyadh and Ankara are …
Read More »Saudis Propose Truce for an Aid Effort in Yemen
Saudi Arabia has proposed a five-day halt to hostilities in Yemen to allow aid agencies to reach civilians suffering because of the country’s war, the Saudi foreign minister said on Thursday. The minister, Adel al-Jubeir, said the cease-fire’s start date had yet to be decided and could be …
Read More »British Foreign Policy After the Election
Alexander Mercouris It is difficult to believe that there is nobody within the British foreign policy establishment who does not have grave doubts about the Cameron government’s ultra-hardline anti-Russian policy. Though it has attracted surprisingly little international attention, Britain is holding a general election to decide the make-up of its …
Read More »Germany’s Dilemma: Critics Want Tougher Berlin Stance Against Israel
By Nicola Abé, Christiane Hoffmann, Horand Knaup, René Pfister and Christoph Schult Relations between Germany and Israel are at a crossroads. Is it possible for the German government to continue to steadfastly support the country even as Jerusalem continues to refuse to allow the Palestinians to establish their …
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