Bergmann & Brattberg, WOTR
The United States needs a stronger Europe. With China’s rise, Russia’s resurgence, and America’s soft-power image tarnished by its bungled domestic handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States should revive the transatlantic alliance. But a return to the more predictable days before President Donald Trump took office, when Washington led and European capitals were supposed to follow, is not sufficient anymore. Regardless of whether Trump is re-elected or Joe Biden becomes the next president... Читать дальше...
Cordelia Buchanan Ponczek, CEPA
On Friday, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan flew to Moscow for ceasefire talks. A “humanitarian ceasefire” was announced earlier this week, but at the time of writing appears to have broken down. “Let those holding talks in Moscow know that it’s our territory and we won’t be making any concessions,” Azerbaijan’s president, Ilham Aliyev remarked of the prospects for peace on Friday, foreshadowing this week’s renewed violence. Currently at an advantage... Читать дальше...
Nick Tyrone, Spectator
Since Boris's thumping general election win in December, I've lost count of the number of people – both Remainers and Leavers – who tell me that no deal just won't happen. Boris needs a deal, they insist, and the EU will bend a little here and there to give the Prime Minister a ladder to climbdown. Yet I've always been convinced that no deal is far and away the most likely outcome of the EU...
Sabena Siddiqui, Al Monitor
While Iran and China are still working to finalize a 25-year strategic partnership plan, Chinese officials continue to expand bilateral ties with the Gulf, something that could have unexpected implications for Iran-GCC ties.
Shoshana Bryen, Newsweek
In the movie, the WWII commandos evade the enemy, scale the mountain, enter the fortress, plant the explosives designed to wreck the guns used against Allied forces and escape to a safe place to watch the effects. But there are no effects, and no blast. One team member berates the explosives expert, who calmly replies, "It is the accumulation of little vibrations that does it." And indeed, in short order—and in the nick of time—the accumulated vibrations crumble the side of the mountain... Читать дальше...
Matthew Parris, Times of London
It is worth quoting at some length a letter in Thursday’s Times from Melvyn Bragg, a fellow broadcaster whom I admire tremendously but who I think, this time, is wrong.
