16.02 17:17 Politics

U.S. Makes Choice Between Turkey & Armenia

The Armenian experts absorbed into the discussion of U.S. President Barack Obama’s budget message, in which he called for a substantial - 19% - reduction in an economic aid to Armenia.

Clearly, the matter is not the final amounts of economic aid from the U.S., but the tendency. It should be noted that the Obama administration proposes to allocate additional $3.6 million in International Military Education and Training for Turkey, given that that Turkey continues to play an increasing role as a growing global partner.

Thus, the U.S. leadership clearly demonstrates that Armenia loses its importance for it on the backdrop of a substantial increase in the importance of Turkey.

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16.02 17:26 Politics

Iran Delays War Games in Strait of Hormuz?

Summary

Stratfor sources have indicated that Iranian naval exercises scheduled to take place by Feb. 19 have been delayed or possibly canceled. Given other recent moves both by the United States and Iran aimed at reducing bilateral tensions, the apparent delay may have been motivated by a desire to facilitate talks on Iran’s nuclear program, among other issues.

16.02 17:26 Politics

Azerbaijani President: ‘Relations Between NATO and Azerbaijan have Very Good History’

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen held a joint press conference in the Alliance`s Headquarters yesterday.

Following President Ilham Aliyev`s and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen`s remarks the press conference featured a question-and-answer session with journalists.

Speech by Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan:

Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary General for your kind words about our country, and thank you very much for your invitation. I

16.02 17:25 Politics

U.S.: China’s Presidential Designate and Future Relations

Summary


Xi Jinping, China’s current vice president and future president, is visiting the United States. Though U.S.-China relations are tense, Xi understands the important economic partnership that exists between the countries. Thus, during his trip he will try to endear himself to the American public while setting a friendlier tone for bilateral relations under his administration.

16.02 17:24 Economics

Poland’s Energy Sector and Russia’s Position: Part 1

Summary

 Poland depends on Russia for energy resources, particularly oil and natural gas, which gives Moscow political leverage over Warsaw. However, significant natural gas development could help Poland reduce its dependence on Russia, meet EU environmental standards and boost its regional power as a possible natural gas exporter. Polish energy diversification projects - liquefied natural gas import terminal construction and shale gas development - embody this strategy, which could change the Russia-Poland relationship in the coming years.

16.02 17:23 Politics

Jihadist Opportunities in Syria

By Kamran Bokhari


In an eight-minute video clip titled "Onward, Lions of Syria" disseminated on the Internet Feb. 12, al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri expressed al Qaeda’s support for the popular unrest in Syria. In it, al-Zawahiri urged Muslims in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan to aid the Syrian rebels battling Damascus. The statement comes just days after a McClatchy report quoted unnamed American intelligence officials as saying that the Iraqi node of the global jihadist network carried out two attacks against Syrian intelligence facilities in Damascus, while Iraqi Deputy Interior Minister Adnan al-Assadi said in a recent interview with AFP that Iraqi jihadists were moving fighters and weapons into neighboring Syria.

16.02 17:23 Economics

The Limits of Europe’s Response to Falsified Finances

According to a Feb. 14 Reuters report, the European Commission is considering action against Spain for overstating its 2011 deficit figures. Unnamed sources confirmed that the Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who came to power in late December 2011, exaggerated the country’s deficit. The sources said Rajoy intended to blame the previous Socialist government for its failure to reduce spending, to play up the achievements of the current conservative administration, and to ask for more flexibility in the application of economic reforms.
16.02 17:22 Economics

Baku to Host Economic Cooperation Organization’s Summit

The summit of the head of states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will be held in Baku, Kazakhstan embassy in Azerbaijan reports.

The meeting is scheduled to the end of this year. Primer Minister Karim Masimov will represent Kazakhstan, APA reports.

ECO was established in 1985 by Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan joined to the organization in 1992. News.Az

16.02 17:18 Economics

WB Continues Support to Azerbaijan’s Water Projects

Azersu has hosted a meeting with the World Bank’s mission on the issues of project implementation support "National Water Supply and Sewerage Services", as well as preparation of proposed project on Hovsan deep-water sewage runout into the Caspian Sea.

The report from Azersu says that Azersu Chairman Gorkhmaz Huseynov highly valued the World Bank’s participation in investment projects implemented in Azerbaijan and noted successful realization of these projects.

Expert Opinion

Iran ‘chooses Armenia’ over Azerbaijan

News.Az interviews Israeli international relations expert Arye Gut.

What can you say about the recent explosions and attempted explosion targeted against Israeli embassies in Delhi, Bangkok and Tbilisi?

I think that the Iranian mullocracy and its pals are linked to the two explosions in the Thai capital Bangkok. This proves that Tehran is continuing state terrorism. It is no secret that the leadership of the Islamic Republic and their allies in the militarized Lebanese Shia organization Hezbollah continue to represent a threat to regional and global stability.

A blast occurred in a house where Iranian Sayed Moradi was staying in Bangkok yesterday. Two people who were in the house with him managed to get away. Moradi also wanted to get away and tried to take a taxi, but the driver refused to take the Iranian who was bleeding. As police officers tried to detain him, he threw a grenade towards the police, but it detonated close to the Iranian, blowing off his legs.

However, Iran remains the main threat to Israel, the region and the world. This country is the main exporter of terror in the world. Unfortunately, for many years the West had been ignoring the threat for political reasons. But now the question tops the international agenda. This also applies to Europe, the United States and moderate Arab regimes that fear the regional ambitions of the Iranian regime. Iran’s actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Yemen and South America are not directed against Israel.

For a long time Israeli security structures have been following the activities of Iranian intelligence, the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah terrorists. It is worth mentioning that they conducted joint attacks, for example, in Argentina in 1992 and 1994. In the past four years, these structures have made new attempts to strike at Israeli targets. Several terrorist attacks were prevented in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Thailand, Turkey, and several other countries. We have enough evidence to suggest that they are behind the terrorist attack in New Delhi and the attempted attack in Tbilisi. Do not forget that the Iranians were planning to attack Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States and the Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan.

How do you assess the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s diplomatic note to its friendly neighbour, Azerbaijan?

This note was handed to Azerbaijan’s ambassador, Javanshir Akhundov. It argues that Baku allegedly assisted agents of the Israeli intelligence service Mossad, associated with attacks against Iranian scientists.

Which team will be the winner of the 2011-2012 seasonal Champions League?



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