Charles Kupchan, a noted IR theorist, has written a perceptive op-ed piece for the New York Times, on the challenges facing the United States as power begins to redistribute among the other major powers. It is a provocative piece with some very interesting insights. The question of governance is clearly the issue that matters the most.
Hopes for a cease-fire in Syria faded quickly as President Assad made some difficult conditions for its implementation. With that alternative no longer viable, it is clear that something else needs to be done. Turkey, as the country most directly affected by the flood of refugees from Syria, will likely take action to create some sort of enclave/staging area for the rebels. Obviously, the step is one of self-protection, but it will also signal an escalation of the conflict from a civil war to a regional conflict. We’ll watch what Turkey does over the next few days.
The Greek elections will probably be held sometime early in May, and the recent polling suggests that the two major parties may not get sufficient votes to create a ruling coalition. If that is the case, there are a number of more radical parties which may become pivotal in determining the next government. Some of these fringe parties include a Nazi-like party (Golden Dawn) which is hard to believe in a country that endured brutal Nazi rule during World War II.
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