Next Cold War Roundup 3/16/16 Geneva talks are on. Russia does a surprise semi-withdrawal from Syria, leaving a well equipped Syrian coalition but increasing pressure on Assad to compromise. The US brings to the table a weakened position on the ground but a threat of a Turkish invasion and the

Last night, the 2016 Democratic Party presidential candidates participated in a town hall event held in Ohio and hosted by CNN. One of the subjects featured prominently was what either candidate would do to counter Donald Trump in a general election campaign. Senator Bernie Sanders first responded to claims by

The aftermath of the regime change operation in Libya has become even more horrific, as the United States resumes bombing. The intelligence behind the latest decision to escalate military action in Libya is believed to be faulty again. Re-escalation of military operations by Western forces in Libya comes amidst a

Next Cold War Roundup 3/2/16 The US military is escalating their role in Iraq and Libya.  Saudis are threatening to destabilize Lebanon and open a new front in the Syrian war on its border with northern Lebanon by arming Sunni proxies there.  Turkey is on shaky ground with its NATO

Next Cold War Roundup 2/24/16 Javelin Missiles Show Up on Battlefield in Syria _ Just as a cessation of hostilities agreement is being implemented, Javelin anti-tank guided missiles are showing up on the battlefield in Syria, in the hands of YPG Kurds in Shaddadi, in the Hasakah region.  Many US-backed

Next Cold War 2/22/16 Saber Rattling Saudi FM Tells Der Spiegel Saudis Want Syrian Rebels MANPADs. _ “In an interview, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir expresses his continued support for regime change in Syria and his desire for rebels to be supplied with anti-aircraft missiles that could shift the balance

Military aid supplied to ‘moderate” rebels is treated as “a sort of Wal-Mart’ by al-Qaida and other extremists fighting in Syria, one analyst reported.

Next Cold War 2/19/16 Last week’s deal by the International Syrian Support Group (ISSG) in which they agreed to work to expedite aid to besieged areas of Syria and work on a cessation of hostilities succeeded in getting more aid trucks and an arrangement for airdrops but the group struggles

The U.S. government refuses to take responsibility for the repeated use of banned cluster bombs by its ally in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia.

Next Cold War Roundup 2-15-16 The Munich Security Conference, which turned into a summit for negotiations and discussions on the broadening and escalating Syrian war, concluded with an agreement to work on cessation of hostilities and humanitarian aid for beseiged areas — an agreement that few have confidence will change