Strategic Alerts
Iran’s Nuclear Compromise: Will the latest rounds of talks achieve anything?
- Thursday, 04 April 2013
The fresh round of Group 5+1 (UN Security Council plus Germany) talks to be held with Iran in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 5-6 April present an important opportunity for progress to be made in these on-going negotiations.
Ethiopia Faces Uncertain Transition Following Death of Long-Term President
- Thursday, 23 August 2012
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s 20 August death ended weeks of speculation over his medical condition. A tense situation now exists regarding who will replace him and what impact this might have on Ethiopia and the region.
Pakistan: Gilani “Cops It Sweet” – For Now
- Friday, 22 June 2012
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has apparently decided to accept the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and to try to avoid calling new elections. The job now is to choose a new Prime Minister and keep the minor coalition partners on side. As it is, elections are not scheduled until early next year. The Electoral Commission (EC), which has 90 days to make its own ruling under the Constitution, has come in early and endorsed the dismissal, which is backdated from the time of Mr Gilani’s conviction on 26 April. Rule of law apparently pertains, at least for now.
An Iranian Nuclear Resolution: Fraught with Difficulty
- Monday, 28 May 2012
The Baghdad talks finished at best on a hopeful note. While details are scarce, and there is no evidence of a substantial breakthrough, further discussions are contemplated.
Both sides need an agreement. But do they have the capacity to achieve this given their inherent suspicions, different objectives and failure to reach any significant outcome over many years that satisfied both sides?
Implications of European Union Sanctions against Iran
- Tuesday, 24 January 2012
On 23 January 2012, the EU placed an immediate ban on all new contracts to import, purchase or transport Iranian crude oil and petroleum products. Where existing contracts exist, EU countries have until 1 July to cancel them. EU officials also agree to freeze assets in Iran’s central bank.