Claudia Gazzini, International Crisis Group
On 19 January, Berlin will convene the main parties in Libya’s conflict. This comes in the wake of the Moscow meeting between Libya’s two main rival leaders that failed to produce a ceasefire. Libya expert Claudia Gazzini discusses where the peace process may go next.
Casey Michel, New Republic
Why isn't anyone talking about North Macedonia's accession into America's most important strategic alliance?
Alec Luhn, Politico EU
If one thing was clear about the resignation of Russia's prime minister on Wednesday, it was that a step had been taken toward President Vladimir Putin remaining in power after his term ends in 2024.
Markus Becker et al, Der Spiegel
In the conflict over Libya, a North African country of considerable strategic importance for Europe, three countries have been setting the agenda with their military: Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Does diplomacy still have a chance?
Carl Bildt, Project Syndicate
The recent flareup between the United States and Iran is merely the latest installment in a decades-long grudge match, with both countries clinging to old grievances. The tragedy is that there would be plenty of room for cooperation to advance shared interests if both sides' hardliners weren't calling the shots.
Economist
Ever since the dollar cemented its role as the world’s dominant currency in the 1950s, it has been clear that America’s position as the sole financial superpower gives it extraordinary influence over other countries’ economic destinies. But it is only under President Donald Trump that America has used its powers routinely and to their full extent, by engaging in financial warfare. The results have been awe-inspiring and shocking. They have in turn prompted other countries to seek... Читать дальше...
Austin Bodetti, Yale Global
Oman stands out in the Middle East for its deliberate pursuit of neutrality to ensure stability. “Omani officials have relied on their country’s relative anonymity to exercise considerable influence behind the scenes, maintaining contacts with competing regional powers such as Iran, Israel and Saudi Arabia in addition to the world powers battling for control of the Middle East, among them China, Russia and the...
