NATO has begun to supplies weapons to Ukraine as it attempts to regain its territory from Russian-speaking separatists. The shipments are definitely a provocative move, but Ukraine has been unable to match the arms supplied by Russia to the separatists. The action/reaction policies are a classic example of the security dilemma. Both sides truly believe that their actions are purely defensive, but the net effects of the actions are highly destabilizing. It is likely that Russia will increase its support for the separatists in response.
Polls in Scotland point in contradictory directions as the referendum on Scottish independence nears. Both “yes” and “no” voters are being assiduously mobilized, and the stakes in the outcome seem to loom larger every day. The vote will have a tremendous effect on the economic health of the European Union, as a “yes” vote would likely signal British exit from the Union. Similarly, independence movements in other areas of Europe, such as Catalonia in Spain, are watching the outcome for signals that point to greater autonomy for smaller nations within larger states of Europe.
The Islamic State (IS) has beheaded a British national and the British response has been robust. The murder was the third that was videotaped by the IS, and the group is threatening to execute yet another British national. The Islamic State is certainly goading the Western powers into intervening in Iraq and Syria. The strategy seems to be designed to increase the number of foreign fighters to join the IS and to enhance the credibility of the Islamic State as the legitimate heir to al Qaeda. The Western powers have not been able yet to formulate a plan to counter this strategy.
World Politics News 
Leave a comment