Assad-loving Va. pol defends views

I interrupt your regularly scheduled foreign policy news for a story out of left field...Enjoy!



Assad-loving Va. pol defends views

Obamas foreign policy speech: 5 takeaways

A solid analysis of President Obama's recent speech at West Point..Have to love the first "takeaway".



Obamas foreign policy speech: 5 takeaways

Syrian rebels describe US-backed training in Qatar in new documentary - Middle East - Stripes

An interesting, and curiously timed, piece of news concerning US assistance to Syrian rebel forces via PBS's Frontline news program.

Syrian rebels describe US-backed training in Qatar in new documentary - Middle East - Stripes

Somalia Is at Peace - Somalia Is at War - War Is Boring

A solid piece on the both improving, and simultaneously deteriorating situation going on in Somalia today via War is Boring's Peter Dorrie.

Somalia Is at Peace - Somalia Is at War - War Is Boring

Iran Knows the Secrets of America's Stealth Drone - War is Boring

Kudos to Jassem Al Salami of the War is Boring website for this fascinating and fairly in-depth article on what "secrets" Iranian military personnel may have pulled from the secretive RQ-170 Sentinel drone they captured back in 2011.

Iran Knows the Secrets of America's Stealth Drone - War is Boring

Battle at Donetsk airport Between Govt & Rebel Forces: Post-Election Day Present for Ukraine's new Prez

News from Ukraine today via Reuters:

Battle at Donetsk airport; New Ukraine leader says no talks with 'terrorists' | Reuters

Potential Shift on Ukraine by Putin a Result of His Visit to China?

Kudos to Paul Goble, writing for The Interpreter magazine, for an interesting piece on why Russian President Putin was so public is stating his support for whatever the outcome of the recent Ukrainian election has..Was it just to calm the world's nerves or did it have something to do with his recent visit to China and his attempts to increase ties with China?

I don't necessarily advocate the theory put forward by Mr. Goble but it is definitely an interesting read for those interested in what motives are behind Russia's future plans in foreign affairs..

Putin's Shift on Ukraine Result of His Visit to Beijing, Kazan Editor Says | The Interpreter

Khomeinis Dome & Irans True Nuclear Intentions

Khomeinis Dome & Irans True Nuclear Intentions

National Geographic: Ethnic Russians: Pretext for Putin's Ukraine Invasion?

For those wanting a bit more information on the topic of the sheer scope of the ethnic Russian population OUTSIDE of Russia, another great story, this time from Eve Conant of National Geographic magazine.





Ethnic Russians: Pretext for Putin's Ukraine Invasion?

Saudis Conduct MASSIVE Military Exercise..But for Whose Benefit?

As reported today by the good folks at the War is Boring website, the Saudi military just days ago held a massive three-pronged series of exercises across their country.

The sheer size of this exercise was not the only unprecedented element, but also its scope and direction. For this exercise did not simply simulate conflict with one of Saudi Arabia's regional threats, but three!

I'll leave the exact details of the exercise to the good folks at the War is Boring, but needless to say, the boldness shown with this exercise and the recent public unveiling of Saudi Arabia's long-known but never seen DF-3 ballistic missiles seem to suggest Saudi Arabia is taking its regional "cold war" with Iran (and her allies in the region) to a new level.

Copters, Marines and Secret Missiles- Saudi Arabia just Pulled Off Its Biggest War Game Ever- War is Boring