The ‘Rimland Imperative’: How Trump’s Chief Diplomat for European-Eurasian Affairs Wants to Counter Russia, China & Iran

Since his appointment as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Aaron Wess Mitchell has mostly stayed out of the spotlight but his geopolitical views are already having a profound impact on U.S. foreign policy, as illustrated by the Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy and the decision to provide lethalContinue reading “The ‘Rimland Imperative’: How Trump’s Chief Diplomat for European-Eurasian Affairs Wants to Counter Russia, China & Iran”

Merkel’s Message to US: NATO is not ‘Obsolete’ – and neither is the Russian Boogeyman

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen used the 53rd Munich Security Conference to send a message to the new U.S. administration: NATO is not “obsolete” – and neither is the Russian boogeyman! “There can be no policy of equidistance between allies on one side and those who on the other questionContinue reading “Merkel’s Message to US: NATO is not ‘Obsolete’ – and neither is the Russian Boogeyman”

The New Great Game Round-Up: December 14, 2016

The Great Game Round-Up brings you the latest newsworthy developments regarding Central Asia and the Caucasus region. We document the struggle for influence, power, hegemony and profits between a U.S.-dominated NATO, its GCC proxies, Russia, China and other regional players. Russia Stepping Up its Game in Tajikistan to Counter Chinese Competition At the end ofContinue reading “The New Great Game Round-Up: December 14, 2016”

Porkins Great Game: Episode #16 – Moderate Rebels & Heroin Warlords

After a long hiatus, Pearse Redmond and I are finally back with a new episode of Porkins Great Game. We start off by looking at the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia and the latest Saakashvili scandal. Our second segment focuses on Afghanistan. We talk about Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's return, the Qatar talks and the growing riftContinue reading “Porkins Great Game: Episode #16 – Moderate Rebels & Heroin Warlords”

The New Great Game Round-Up: October 31, 2016

The Great Game Round-Up brings you the latest newsworthy developments regarding Central Asia and the Caucasus region. We document the struggle for influence, power, hegemony and profits between a U.S.-dominated NATO, its GCC proxies, Russia, China and other regional players. China's Growing Security Role in Central Asia China appears to be taking a more proactiveContinue reading “The New Great Game Round-Up: October 31, 2016”

Washington War Party Urges Obama to Go to War against Assad & the Russians

On October 21, The Washington Post published a noteworthy op-ed titled “Bring Syria’s Assad and his backers to account now,” written by retired U.S. Marine General John Allen and self-proclaimed Syria expert Charles Lister. Allen is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and serves on the board of advisors of The Washington Institute forContinue reading “Washington War Party Urges Obama to Go to War against Assad & the Russians”

Syria ‘Cease-Fire’ Brings U.S. & Russia Closer to War

On October 3, the United States announced that it is suspending talks with Russia over the conflict in Syria, accusing Moscow of not living up to its commitments under the September 9 cease-fire agreement as well as its obligations under international humanitarian law and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.[1] When the U.S. State DepartmentContinue reading “Syria ‘Cease-Fire’ Brings U.S. & Russia Closer to War”

Russia’s Syria Intervention Enrages US-led Coalition, ISIS & Al-Qaeda

Russia’s intervention in Syria has whipped up feelings across the region and around the world. As soon as Russian aircraft began conducting airstrikes in Syria, Western media started complaining that Russia is bombing the wrong terrorists.[1] After the Pentagon failed to find more than a few dozen “moderate rebels” for its much-publicized training program,[2] RussianContinue reading “Russia’s Syria Intervention Enrages US-led Coalition, ISIS & Al-Qaeda”

The New Great Game Round-Up #110

The Great Game Round-Up brings you the latest newsworthy developments regarding Central Asia and the Caucasus region. We document the struggle for influence, power, hegemony and profits between a U.S.-dominated NATO, its GCC proxies, Russia, China and other regional players. After the Taliban shocked the world by seizing the northern Afghan provincial capital of Kunduz,Continue reading “The New Great Game Round-Up #110”

The New Great Game Round-Up #109

The Great Game Round-Up brings you the latest newsworthy developments regarding Central Asia and the Caucasus region. We document the struggle for influence, power, hegemony and profits between a U.S.-dominated NATO, its GCC proxies, Russia, China and other regional players. With the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine dominating the headlines, the latest escalation of theContinue reading “The New Great Game Round-Up #109”

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