Iran-Big Six talks are no successFive permanent UN Security Council members and Germany are expecting Iran's response on halting its nuclear programme. January 31, 2013 Iran proposed Cairo as venue for talks on the nuclear programme with the “Big Six” international negotiators scheduled for late January. Egyptian authorities already approved the meeting in Cairo. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) of Iran Saeed Jalili and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton are now finalizing the date and time of the meeting. Earlier, the negotiations between Iran and the Big Six were reported to be held on January 28-29 in Istanbul. Mali may become second AfghanistanSince April 2012, Al Qaeda-related groups are establishing Sharia law on territories under their control following the Taliban scenario. January 23, 2013 Over the past 200 and even 300 years Africa has caused much trouble to its mother countries. Colonialism is not a good thing, indeed, but in addition to various diseases, it offered literacy and certain state management skills to Africans. Mother countries were to vanish sooner or later, this was out of question. Turkey's hopes for EU still vainEuropean Union is concerned about repeated cases of violence along with impunity in governmental structures. January 8, 2013 As the year 2013 started, Turkey began talking about accession to EU again; as always, it first accused EU of biased approach and dislike towards the “most progressive country in the Middle East and the world”. These statements were voiced by Turkey-EU chief negotiator Egemen Bagis. Confrontation in Syria still ongoingIf Assad is forced to step down, this will do no good to either Syria or the West, in the first place. December 19, 2012 "Friends of Syria" group held another meeting last week in Morocco. The conference brought together representatives from over 100 countries including the U.S., which recognized the legitimacy of Syria's National Coalition for the Opposition Forces. The decision comes to loosen the militants in a move to better support the opposition, both in terms of diplomacy and technical support, telecommunication, etc. This is a step towards further arming of the opposition which may result in a disaster similar to the one in Libya. Egyptians keen on dethronement?Egyptians face hunger and poverty amid the increasingly deteriorating economic situation. December 15, 2012 A second “revolution” is looming over the country of pyramids; now the “Muslim Brotherhood”, namely the seemingly elected president Mohammed Mursi will face the risk. Following the first round of elections in May 2012, Mursi and former Egyptian Prime Minister (ally of overthrown Hosni Mubarak) Ahmed Shafik topped the list. Gazprom will always be GazpromThe contracted gas supply to Turkey made about 30 bln cubic meters in 2012, of which Turkey will select 27 bln. December 10, 2012 Relations between Russia and Turkey have always based on gain, both now and during the Ottoman Empire epoch. However, political disagreements sometimes prevail over the economic ones - to some extent, though. Russia is already Turkey’s second largest trade partner, and it strives to achieve annual turnover worth $100 bln. In 2012, the turnover will hit $35 bln. Witch-hunt continues in GeorgiaSenior foreign officials warned tycoon Ivanishvili to end a series of arrests of people linked to Saakashvili's party. November 28, 2012 As expected, Georgia is facing a wave of arrests. Though Bidzina Ivanishvili had pledged not to start a “witch-hunt”, in fact he did. The West perceived the arrests of ex-ministers linked to Saakashvili so seriously that Catherine Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief, and Eric Rubin, U.S. Deputy Assistant of Secretary of State rushed to Tbilisi. “Aggressor” kills militants and delivers humanitarian aidThe rival Palestinian Fatah and Hamas groups decided to unite over the military conflict in Gaza Strip. November 21, 2012 The ongoing “Pillar of Cloud” raises controversial reaction among the world leaders. Sober politicians, who are not much enthusiastic about the Israeli state still have to recognize Israel’s right for protection from the rockets hitting its cities. The sender is located in Gaza Strip, and this is namely Hamas. Ongoing bloodshed in Middle EastTurkey is one of those countries which provide much support to the Syrian opposition. November 17, 2012 In addition to the unrest in Middle East and Syria, Israel launched another operation against Hamas in Gaza Strip - the Pillar of Cloud. Escalation of tensions in the region is linked to the recent presidential elections in the U.S., as well as the upcoming vote in Israel. As to Syria, Turkey is trying to get its dividends here. Barack Obama: another 4 years to goMitt Romney would be a worse president than Obama, both for the United States and the rest of the world. November 14, 2012 Nothing extraordinary happened: Barack Obama is re-elected for a second term; this had to be expected despite Mitt Romney’s seemingly self-confident stance. Obama’s second term would obviously be harder than the first one; he will have to tackle Iran’s nuclear problem, the Syrian crisis, and finally decide on Afghanistan. All this has to be done in just four years, in addition to issues related to the “triumph of democracy” in Iraq, Libya, and Egypt. | Devils' museum and witches' hill How collection of horned creatures turned into museum The Queen of Thieves New York’s first female crime boss How planes go to die World’s largest boneyard Economy: 4 rules for business success Arts & Showbiz: The Armenian girl and her Resignation Syndrome IT & Technology: Revolut launches in Armenia Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Putin secures fifth term as Russian president Russian President Vladimir Putin has secured a fifth term in office through a dubious national plebiscite. Voting begins in Russia election; Putin bound to win Voting has begun in Russia's presidential election, which is all but certain to hand Vladimir Putin another six years in power. |