Rachel Stohl quoted in The Independent on child soldiers
The US has named China as one of the worst offenders for human trafficking in an annual report which could aggravate tensions between the nations as they try to work out how to deal with North Korea. -snip- Rachel Stohl, who directs the Conventional Defence program at Washington DC think tank Stimson Center told The Independentthat one of the more controversial […]
Field Notes — Protecting Civilians in the Central African Republic
Since 2014, MINUSCA — the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic — has worked to protect civilians and keep the peace. Stimson experts Aditi Gorur and Madeline Vellturo traveled to CAR to see the progress made, and the work that remains to be done. Click on the picture below to read their Field Notes.
Alex Decina and Jesse Marks Op-ed in The Cipher Brief on Russia’s De-escalation Plan for Syria
Early last month, Russia put forward a “de-escalation” plan for Syria under which major opposition-held territories in western parts of the country, including northwestern Idlib province, northern Homs countryside, the eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus, and parts of southern Syria, would become safe zones and fall under ceasefires to be enforced by the so-called guarantors […]
Russia Must Bring Assad, “Pragmatic” Opposition to Table to Set Safe Zones
Early last month, Russia put forward a “de-escalation” plan for Syria under which major opposition-held territories in western parts of the country, including northwestern Idlib province, northern Homs countryside, the eastern Ghouta suburb of Damascus, and parts of southern Syria, would become safe zones and fall under ceasefires to be enforced by the so-called guarantors […]
Alexander Decina and Jesse Marks’ Op-ed in Defense One on Potential US – Iran Confrontation in Syria
The United States is treading a narrow line in southeastern Syria, attempting to counter Iranian expansion without exacerbating the conflict or further embroiling American troops. A recent push by Iranian-backed groups toward a base used by U.S. advisors is elevating the prospects of direct conflict between the United States and Iran. While U.S. forces could easily rout Iran’s allies, this […]
Can Russian Safe Zones Solve Syria?
If there was any doubt the Russians are now leading diplomatic efforts on Syria, the latest round of Astana talks made it abundantly clear. On May 4, Russia reached an agreement with Turkey and Iran to create safe zones — “de-escalation zones,” in the parlance — beginning at midnight the following day. Located in Idlib, […]
Alexander Decina and Jesse Marks’ Op-ed in Defense One on Russian Safe Zones in Syria
If there was any doubt the Russians are now leading diplomatic efforts on Syria, the latest round of Astana talks made it abundantly clear. On May 4, Russia reached an agreement with Turkey and Iran to create safe zones — “de-escalation zones,” in the parlance — beginning at midnight the following day. Located in Idlib, northern […]
Will Trump Benefit from Obama’s “Red Line” Mistake?
In 2013, Obama’s red line in Syria following the regime’s use of chemical weapons failed to produce any real intervention. Tuesday’s chemical weapon attack in Idlib, shadowing the Brussels conference where seventy countries gathered on the same day to determine Syria’s future, could be the Trump administration’s golden entry into the Syrian peace process. But, […]