Does Listing Ukraine as a Priority Foreign Country Violate International Trade Agreements?
There is a very real possibility that the U.S. government’s decision to identify Ukraine as a Priority Foreign Country (essentially a serial IP abuser) violates international law.
Foreign Policy Names Estonia Best Investment Destination in Europe
Estonia has become increasingly influential in European circles for its tight fiscal management and an economy that has shown surprising resilience in the face of the ongoing slow meltdown of Europe.
Lithuania’s Move to Nuclear a Blow to Gazprom
In a little-noticed news item last week, Lithuania announced that it will re-open talks with its fellow Baltic states and Hitachi to open a nuclear plant outside of Visaginas.
Iran Threatens to Annex Azerbaijan, World Yawns
An invasion of Azerbaijan is unlikely in the near future. Each day that Iranian rhetoric passes without a Western response, the likelihood grows.
Cyprus Account Seizure Reaches Beyond Russian Oligarchs
Cyprus can only serve as both a warning shot to and a bad example for former Soviet states desperate to enter the European Union, a statement that the law can be disregarded if the victim is small and unliked.
Latvia’s Euro Entreaty Reveals Euro Shortcomings
Latvia’s likely success in joining the eurozone flies in the face of almost every possible indicator — and it again comes back to Berlin, who wants a symbol of austerity’s success to use against Southern Europe.
Russian Ties and Hegemonic Aspirations Raise Tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh
As long as Russia backs Yerevan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict — with troops, wealth, and diplomatic efforts — the pressure in the region will continue to rise. For the sake of the millions all around, Russia’s role must cease.
Russia Forecasts the Future of Eastern Europe, Except Georgia
The 1990s sensation — now down to a trio from their glory days as a quartet — will be jetting to Moscow for some magic, some music, and, just perhaps, some baby-making. Somehow, this makes sense in the Kremlin.
Armenia’s Opening of Khojaly Airport an Invitation to War
To allow Armenia to establish purportedly legitimate symbols of sovereignty on soil the world recognizes as Azerbaijani is to take the already-fragile peace process in which the two countries have been engaged and ceremoniously set it ablaze.
Azerbaijan a Staunch Ally in a Sea of Fire
While noting that Baku still has some distance to go, Stanley Weiss points out that while Azerbaijan’s strategic importance is unquestionable, the Obama Administration is nevertheless allowing the relationship to deteriorate.