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Archive - Oct 2012

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October 26th

US election unlikely to change US foreign policy

As the election nears, President Obama and Governor Romney have tried to draw clear distinctions between their foreign policies. But the next president will face hard realities that leave little room for maneuver. READ MORE

The Scottish Play

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By Charles King

Edinburgh’s Quest for Independence and the Future of Separatism. READ MORE

European Commissioner Andris Piebalgs: Baltic countries should give more in development aid

EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs says that the Baltic states should be referred to as a success story in the European Union, as their policies led to considerable improvement of the economic situation in the wake of the economic crisis. READ MORE

October 24th

Baku-Tbilisi-Kars is missing link between Europe and Asia

By Seymur Aliyev

Along with the importance of energy and food security for every sovereign country, world countries have another important issue - transport independence. The availability of multidirectional import and export routes for goods is related to numerous pipelines and hydrocarbon sale markets. READ MORE

Swiss negotiator: Regional trade deals are good for multilateralism

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By Daniela Vincenti

Frustrated by the slow pace of multilateral trade negotiations, more countries are seeking to liberalise trade through bilateral and regional agreements. This may prepare the ground for further multilateral deals, Ambassador Didier Chambovey, the Swiss trade negotiator. READ MORE

October 22nd

Kazakhstan and Austria to hold business forum in Vienna

Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev will pay an official visit to the Republic of Austria on 22-23 October 2012 at the invitation of his counterpart Dr. Heinz Fischer, Federal President of Austria, Kazinform has learnt from the press service of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. READ MORE

The Emerging Doctrine of the United States

By George Friedman

Over the past weekend, rumors began to emerge that the Syrian opposition would allow elements of the al Assad regime to remain in Syria and participate in the new government. Rumors have become Syria's prime export, and as such they should not be taken too seriously. Nevertheless, what is happening in Syria is significant for a new foreign doctrine emerging in the United States -- a doctrine in which the United States does not take primary responsibility for events, but which allows regional crises to play out until a new regional balance is reached. Whether a good or bad policy -- and that is partly what the U.S. presidential race is about -- it is real, and it flows from lessons learned. READ MORE

What Does Russo–Serbian Strategic Partnership Mean?

By Stephen Blank

Serbia is the key target of Russian foreign policy in the Western Balkans, as Moscow’s main strategic objective remains forestalling the European democratic integration in the Balkans and Eastern Europe as a whole. In that context, keeping Serbia out of NATO and the EU preserves a major outpost of Russian influence and perpetuates an unresolved status quo in the former Yugoslavia, most notably with respect to Kosovo. READ MORE

Swiss view partnerships as a way to curb illegal migration

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In Switzerland, many problems with illegal migration and asylum seekers from third-world countries are being solved with mobility and migration partnerships. But these partnerships have to have a long-term perspective, the Swiss say. READ MORE

Why Doesn't the United States Export More Oil?

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By Christopher Swann

America’s energy boom is spurring a clash between the realms of politics and economics. Meaningful exports of oil have been banned for almost a century. But with output surging and crude fetching a 20 percent discount at home, producers want to ship it overseas. BP, Royal Dutch Shell and four others have applied for limited licenses to do just that. Unblocking trade could benefit everyone. READ MORE