Middle East

Bilateral nuclear disarmament strategies after the Ossetian conflict: A personal perspective

One of my second or third reactions to the news last Friday was shock over the impact on our agenda that depends so heavily upon establishing a positive relationship between the US and Russia. I have been avoiding being pessimistic in public because that doesn't help anyone, but it really doesn't look good. From my perspective, though, while the Russian response on Friday was undoubtedly disproportionate, it would be wrong to characterize this as Russia displaying a disinterest in negotiations with the United States and instead challenging democracy head-on.

Iran update: number 120

Iran Update #120: Solana delivers revised P5+1 incentives package to Tehran – Iran will consider it; Bush pushes European allies for further sanctions; Obama offers security guarantee to Israel vis-à-vis Iran; Growing segments of Israeli political class support Iran strike.