Fresh rounds of diplomacy between a beaming State Secretary Kerry and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, posing to the cameras in Moscow and Stockholm, are probably set to create an impression that after this winter’s unprecedented chill (remember the hysteria over the notorious Magnitsky Act and the Dima Yakovlev Law?) bilateral relations are back on track. Or, at least, have left behind their lowest point in years.Last week’s Moscow-Washington agreement to facilitate political dialogue between the Assad regime and rebels, and to throw the two great powers’ weight behind the idea of an international conference on Syria, is followed by joint US-Russia efforts taken this week in Sweden under the framework of The Arctic Council.Another Kerry-Lavrov tango in Stockholm – the second in less than a week – is to ensure that the continent sealed with ice, “the global Klondike of the 21-st century”, incredibly rich in mineral resources, remains not an area of a great powers’ rivalry, but a zone of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.However, the rosy picture of patching up wounds of the past seems too good to be true. There is also an alternative string of events and news breaking stories, which can be interpreted as a manifestation of quite an opposite tendency – a fresh sign of stalemate, if not growing unease and frustration in the already troubled US-Russia partnership.The best illustration of the dubious nature of US-Russia relations at this point is probably a new scandal with CIA spy Ryan Christopher Fogle, detained in Moscow this Tuesday, who was working in the capacity of the third secretary of the Political Section of the American embassy. The story of Mr. Fogle who allegedly failed to recruit an FSB officer while using spy equipment, packs of dollars and items designed to change a person’s appearance resembles the plots of the masters of international intrigue and espionage – Le Carre and Daniel Silva with his recent bestseller “Moscow Rules”, describing current uneasy relations between former global arch-foes.No doubt, that the new spy scandal has broken out at an extremely inappropriate moment for both sides – just four weeks before Obama-Putin meet in Northern Ireland and only a month after President Obama’s national security advisor Tom Donylon’s visit to Moscow with a personal letter from Barack Obama to Vladimir Putin.As a follow-up to Obama’s initiative, it is reported that Nikolay Patryshev, Secretary of Russia’s Security Council is due to visit Washington early next week to deliver President Putin’s personal letter to Mr. Obama. According to media leaks, the text of Putin’s letter is not yet approved with last-minute changes still being made to catch up with the most recent developments, some of them quite dramatic.So, all in all, it looks like the pendulum in US-Russia relations is moving wildly from one side to another. No surprise, that flicking through morning news channels you never know whether you’ll learn of “a new breakthrough” or a “new break-up”. The diplomatic merry-go-round is accelerating and who stands to win most of all is the army of political pundits and fast pens both in Moscow and Washington. Everyone is free to build their own theories out of the conflicting events, interpreting them the way they wish ( or the way they’re expected to interpret it to please meticulous diplomats and vigilant policy-makers).US-Russia relations remain that notorious glass which is half-full. So, it is up to presidents Obama and Putin either to fill the glass to make it full or to empty it, if basic misunderstandings and scandals like a spy story and disagreements on ABM (missile systems) and Syria cripple the efforts to spell out a positive agenda and translate it into reality.To the utter disappointment of the global auditorium of America-haters, President Putin has not written of his strategic partnership with President Obama. But Obama will have to do more homework to ease Russia’s deep-rooted mistrust and suspicion.And finally, both sides have to remember that the glass is not only half-full, it is also fragile and easily broken.So it has to be carried with care. … Read More
Israel sets up ‘secret’ diplomatic mission in Persian Gulf
The Finance Ministry’s budget for the next year, to be submitted for Cabinet approval this week, has revealed that Israel has created almost a dozen new missions around the world since 2010.The Financial Ministry’s website mentioned Embassies in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Wellington (New Zealand), Accra (Ghana), Tirana (Albania) and the Caribbean, as well as consulates in Guangzhou (China), Sao Paolo (Brazil), Munich (Germany) and St. Petersburg (Russia), and a “diplomatic delegate to the Pacific.”The ministry, however, refused to divulge information on a diplomatic mission reportedly set up in the Persian Gulf. “We cannot comment on this matter,” the Foreign Ministry said, as quoted by Haaretz.To date, Israel has no formal diplomatic relations with the Arab Gulf States, comprised of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.Mark A. Heller, a Principal Research Associate at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, explained there is nothing unprecedented about Israel reaching out to the Arab Gulf States: “Diplomacy outreach is something that existed in the past between Israel and some of the Arab countries,” Heller told RT.When asked the reason behind the renewal of diplomatic relations, Heller said the answer boiled down to one word: “Iran.” Better relations with the Arab Gulf States will facilitate “better coordination and analysis” when it comes to gauging the perceived Iranian threat, he said.News of Israel’s push for new diplomatic missions comes on the heels of an earlier report that suggested Israel is attempting to mend security fences with some of its neighbors. Earlier this month, it was reported that Israel is considering allying itself with several moderate Arab states in a US-brokered defense alliance that would be aimed at containing Iran, which is accused of developing nuclear weapons.Tehran rejects allegations that it is attempting to acquire nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear research is for its civilian sector.The alleged alliance would see Israel partnering with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to forge a Middle East ‘moderate crescent’ to contain, rather than confront, Iran, the Sunday Times reported, citing an anonymous Israeli official.Such an alliance would give Israel access to radar stations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in exchange for its own early warning radar information and anti-ballistic missile defense systems, the source said.Turkey has dismissed reports of a security alliance with Israel. “These are manipulative reports which have nothing to do with the reality,” a Turkish Foreign Ministry official told Hürriyet Daily News. … Read More
US Congress seeks to block Iran’s access to foreign reserves
The legislation backed by a bipartisan group of US senators seeks to block Iran’s access to an estimated $60-$100 billion in foreign exchange reserves currently held in foreign bank accounts.According to Washington lawmakers Teheran taps the reserves held in banks around the world to get around US and EU sanctions on oil sales that according to media reports have damaged Iran’s economy.Though Iran’s minister of economic affairs and finance Seyed Shamseddin Hosseini said that his government was finding new ways to soften the impact of the tough sanctions imposed last summer.“At first we witnessed inflationary shocks, but then we saw that we could use our domestic capacity to increase our competitiveness,” he told the Washington Post in April.The Iranian government, including the Central Bank of Iran and National Iranian Oil Company, converts the earnings from selling oil into local currencies in an attempt to finance imports and stabilize its budget, said the lawmakers. If the bill is passed it would block such currency conversions and be retroactive to May 9.The lawmakers added that they have notified financial institutions around the world to freeze all foreign currency transactions of the blacklisted Iranian banks and sectors “or risk being cut off from the US financial market.” The legislation is also to authorize President Barack Obama to impose sanctions on foreign banks that will continue to carry out the transactions.The bill, if passed, is to be attached later this month to Iran sanctions legislation in the US House of Representatives that was introduced in February.This is despite US Secretary of State John Kerry requesting Congress in April not to add more sanctions as they could affect the upcoming presidential race in the Islamic republic.”We don’t need to spin this up at this time…. You need to leave us the window to try to work the diplomatic channel,” Kerry told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Los Angeles Times reports.The United States, the European Union, Israel and several other states believe that Iran is enriching uranium to levels that could be used in nuclear weapons. Tehran says the program is intended for producing power and medical supplies.Russia says that it is necessary to recognize all the rights of the Islamic republic, including its right to enrich uranium in exchange for Iran agreeing to comprehensive control of its nuclear program by the International Atomic Energy Agency.Earlier last month the talks in Kazakhstan concerning Iran’s nuclear program between Iran and six world powers – US, Russia, Britain, China, France and Germany – ended without an agreement. Six world powers have called on Iran to halt enriching uranium over 5 percent, however the Islamic Republic insists on recognition of its right to enrich uranium. The negotiators will meet for another round of talks in Istanbul on May 15 in an effort to reach a diplomatic agreement. … Read More
U.S. Appeals Court strikes down labor board’s ‘poster rule’
A three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. on Tuesday struck down National Labor Relations Board regulations that required workplaces to display a poster about worker’s federal rights. The NRLB issued new regulations in 2011 that required companies to inform employees about…
US aims to arm Syrian rebels as Kerry seeks political support in Russia
The draft scheduled to be taken up in committee next week was introduced by Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee Senator Robert Menendez. It seeks for the US to supply arms, military training and non-lethal aid to the opposition. The legislature also seeks to create a $250 million fund to aid the transition process in the country. The bill also aims to give Washington the power to impose sanctions on individuals involved in arms or oil transfers to Syria. A loud opponent of President Assad, Menendez has been one of the greatest advocates for US involvement in Syria. Following the recent allegations of the use of chemical weapons Menendez said in a written statement, “The Assad regime has crossed a red line that forces us to consider all options,” The senator added “The greatest humanitarian crisis in the world is unfolding in and around Syria, and the U.S. must play a role in tipping the scales toward opposition groups and working to build a free Syria.”The Obama administration had previously stressed that the use of chemical weapons constituted a “red line,” for US intervention in the conflict.But recent intelligence assessment into the allegations is still yet inconclusive for US president to issue a military response.Russia has strongly opposed military intervention in Syria, and has criticized Western support for the rebels. The Russian Foreign Ministry has maintained that escalations in armed confrontation would sharply increase the risks that new hotbeds of tension would appear not only in Syria but also in Lebanon and at the Israel-Lebanon border.US ‘skeptical’ over chemical weapons claimWhite House spokesman Jay Carney on Monday stated that the administration is “highly skeptical” of the comments made by a leading United Nations investigator, Carla del Ponte who claimed she was “stupefied” by the victims’ stories of the Syrian conflict that made her conclude that a “strong, concrete suspicions but not yet incontrovertible proof” exists that it was the rebels not the government forces that used sarin gas.“During our investigation into crimes against humanity and war crimes, we collect some witness testimony that made to appear that some chemical weapons were used, in particular nerving gas. And what appeared to our investigation is that it was used by the opponents, by the rebels,” Carla del Ponte, from the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, has told RT.Furthermore, UN investigator argues, “we had no indication at all that the government, authority of the Syrian government used chemical weapons.”But the White House remains adamant that it is President Assad who is a fault. “We are highly sceptical of any suggestions that the opposition used chemical weapons,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney. “We think it highly likely that Assad regime was responsible but we have to be sure about the facts before we make any decisions about a response.”Politicians opposed to arming the rebels constantly warn that arms could end up in the wrong hands such as the Nusra Front.Menendez’ bill says that only those who pass through a vetting process and meet standards on human rights, terrorism and non proliferation would be allowed to receive such US aid.The bill before becoming a law needs to be approved by both the Senate and House of Representatives, and signed by President. … Read More
‘Containing Iran’: Israel ‘in talks’ to join alliance with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey
The alliance would see Israel teaming up with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to forge a Middle East ‘moderate crescent’ to contain, rather than confront, Iran, the Sunday Times reported, citing an unnamed Israeli official.According to the report, such an alliance would give Israel access to radar stations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in exchange for its own early warning radar information and anti-ballistic missile defense systems, the source said.In addition to US-made Patriot anti-missile systems, Israel has deployed the Iron Dome all-weather defense system, although this system guards against rockets fired from distances of 4 to 70km away.The report suggested that Jordan would be protected by Israel’s Arrow long-range anti-missile batteries.“The plan is to start with information-sharing about Iran’s ballistic missiles,” said an Israeli official.The proposal, known by participating diplomats as ‘4+1’, is being brokered by the United States. If successful, it would represent a marked shift in Middle East policy at the White House, which in the past has said it is not interested in containing Iran, but rather preventing it from achieving nuclear weapon capability.Tehran denies it is attempting to build a nuclear weapon, saying that its nuclear research is aimed at creating new energy resources for its civilian sector.The prospects for the plan’s success, however, remain questionable as Israel does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Riyadh or Abu Dhabi, while relations with Ankara have been rather strained for the last several years.Relations between Israel and Turkey sharply deteriorated following the 2010 Gaza flotilla raid, which left eight Turkish nationals dead after their ship attempted to break an Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the Gaza Strip.In March 2013, Israel apologized for the raid on the Turkish vessel, which observers say represents a step toward the normalization of relations between the two countries.The Sunni states of Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan, not to mention Israel and the United States, are all wary of Shiite Tehran gaining any strategic advantage in the region, a factor that may compel the Arab states and Israel to put aside their differences and join some sort of alliance. … Read More
Facebook’s impossible dream
I received an email from a Facebook public relations person just a little before midnight Wednesday, or about 10 hours after I posted my rant about Facebook mobile advertisements and giant-breasted zombie-stalkers. The spokesperson sought an opportunity to chat about the work Facebook was doing “to improve the controls people have over the ads they see on mobile.”So we chatted. The big news: Facebook promises that within just a couple of weeks mobile users will get new controls that will allow us to block specific advertisers. These controls will be similar to those that currently exist for the desktop Facebook experience. Individual Facebook users can decide for themselves how excited they are by this pledge. As I wrote on Wednesday, Facebook’s track record on the desktop advertising experience leaves something to be desired. (To be fair, Facebook’s spokeperson acknowledged that the company’s ad-delivery algorithms are not “perfect.”)Continue Reading… … Read More
