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US Assists Kyrgyzstan in Constructing Anti-Terrorist Center in Batken

By Erica Marat, Den Isa

During his visit to Bishkek on March 10, the Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), General David Petraeus, reiterated that by helping to build an anti-terrorist center in Batken city, Washington does not seek to open an additional military base. The Kyrgyz President, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, in turn, argued that most security challenges to Kyrgyzstan stem from Afghanistan and that his regime needs to be better prepared to resist terrorism (Times of Central Asia, March 10). The US government will invest $5.5 to build the center and construction work will begin next year. READ MORE

In Córdoba, EU Foreign Ministers Discussed The Functioning Of The European External Action Service

At an informal meeting of European Union’s foreign ministers on 5-6 March in Córdoba (Spain), Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis and his counterparts discussed the shaping of the new European External Action Service, the EU’s relations with large emerging economies, as well as the situation in the Middle East. READ MORE

What Was Erdogan Silent About?

By John Fox

The fact that a meeting of NATO countries on the issues of strategy in Afghanistan in early February was held in Turkey's Istanbul looks symbolic enough. Turkey as a member of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance is the most eastern of its member countries not only geographically, but it is closest to the Muslim East by mentality. On the other hand, Turkey aims to join the EU, though it faces the resistance from some countries, first of all France. Istanbul – the former Constantinople – is officially included on the list of the European Capitals of Culture this year. As we know, the city is located in the western part of Turkey and, what's more important, is not only a treasury of Islamic religion and culture, but also one of the historic centers of Christian Civilization. READ MORE

Tajikistan Facing Water Shortages And Climate Extremes, Report Warns

By John Vidal

Falling supplies due to rising temperatures and retreating glaciers could spark conflict between water-stressed countries in the region, says Oxfam READ MORE

What Price Russia’s Help With Iran?

By John Vinocur

Russia, it would seem, is finally making some of the right noises about tougher sanctions against Iran. Excellent. READ MORE

The 'Reset' At One Year: The View From Moscow

By Brian Whitmore

Vladimir Putin was in favor of Barack Obama's reconfigured missile defense plan before he was against it. READ MORE

New Russian Military Doctrine Opposes NATO Enlargement

By Roger McDermott

After several delays, the long-awaited new Russian military doctrine was finally approved by President Dmitry Medvedev on February 5. The document did not include the rumored lowering of the nuclear threshold, despite recent public comments on the issue to the contrary made by the Secretary and Deputy Secretary respectively of the Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev and Yuri Baluyevskiy. READ MORE

Questions for the OSCE

By Arthur Dunn

2010 is very momentous for the OSCE: the 35th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act as well as the 20th anniversary of the Charter of Paris, which has put an end to the ‘Сold War’, are to be marked. READ MORE

Europe Should Thank Turkey

By Levan Gelovani

Ankara tries to play a new role as an energy nod. READ MORE

Our Year Of Decision

By Victor Davis Hanson

America's challenges are coming to a head READ MORE