Politics
Estonia-Russia border deal brings needed clarity
Estonia and Russia have signed an agreement clarifying their shared border. The two countries could see improved trade relations. On February 18th, Estonia and Russia signed a historic agreement outlining
Masuzoe new Tokyo governor, defeats anti-nuclear rivals
Despite efforts to make Tokyo’s gubernatorial election a referendum on nuclear energy, Yoichi Masuzoe won by focusing on more basic economic issues. This reflects a desire to see “Abenomics” restore
Turkey attempts to curtail judicial independence
Judicial reforms proposed in Turkey, though shelved for the moment, call into question Erdogan’s ability to emerge from the current political crisis with an intact democracy and rule of law.
Ambassador Baucus could bring U.S beef back to China
Former U.S. Senator Max Baucus of Montana, confirmed as the next U.S. Ambassador to China, could help restore U.S. beef exports to China. China banned all U.S. beef exports after a
The Ukraine crisis via the lens of history and EU relations
A primer on how historical context of Kiev’s political evolution and relations with the European Union inform the current situation in Ukraine Violence in Ukraine has greatly escalated in recent
Historic cross-strait talks signal a new step in relations
Unfortunately, improved cross-strait economic ties do little to resolve the status quo, as the final objectives of Beijing and Taipei remain fundamentally irreconcilable. At the first governmental meeting since they split apart
Tension builds over Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan is once again absorbed in a debate over ownership of the Kumtor Mine, highlighting the government’s fragility and the importance of the mine for the country’s economy. Following a
4 numbers tell the story of U.S. immigration reform
Just behind the rhetoric of the debate, the numbers show what a massive undertaking immigration reform is. With the budget and debt ceiling having been dealt with already this year,