May, 2022

• 14 May

  DEMOCRACY DIGEST: OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS

  

  The EU’s proposed oil embargo on Russia causes more rifts within the V4. The European Commission’s latest planned sanctions to punish Russia has highlighted once again how the war in Ukraine is exacerbating differences between the Visegrad Four group of countries. Poland has been long calling for a ban on …

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• 14 May

  In Parroting Putin, Bulgarian President’s Ex-Adviser Builds Political Platform

  

  If government instability, public polarisation and a Russian gas cut-off was not enough, 2022 has also brought Bulgaria a new political party sympathetic to the Kremlin. usted as defence minister for refusing to call Russia’s Ukraine war a ‘war,’ on May 5 Stefan Yanev unveiled Bulgarian Rise as Bulgaria’s third …

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• 14 May

  Global Coalition Warns No Rest for Fight Against Islamic State

  

  Nearly three years after U.S.-backed forces in Syria seized the last remaining territory held by Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate, members of the global coalition charged with eradicating the terror group warn their task is not getting any easier. Despite IS’s loss of several key leaders and intelligence that suggests a …

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• 14 May

  Iran’s IRGC shells ‘terrorist positions’ in Iraq’s Erbil

  

  The attack comes two months after the IRGC launched ballistic missiles at what it said was an Israeli base in Erbil. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has shelled an area in Erbil in neighbouring Iraq, targeting positions it said were held by “terrorist groups”. The IRGC ground forces launched …

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• 14 May

  Pope Francis: NATO Was ‘Barking at Russia’s Door,’ Provoking Moscow to Invade

  

  The holder of the highest seat in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, said that the West is partly to blame for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Pope said “that barking of NATO at the door of Russia” has pushed …

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• 14 May

  EXPLAINER: Why Finland, Sweden joining NATO will be big deal

  

  It’s likely to be the quickest NATO enlargement ever and one that would redraw Europe’s security map. Finnish leaders announced Thursday their belief that Finland should join the world’s biggest military organization because of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Sweden could soon follow suit. Should they apply for membership, the move …

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• 14 May

  Russian threats push Finland toward joining NATO alliance

  

  Finland’s leaders Thursday came out in favor of applying to join NATO, and Sweden could do the same within days, in a historic realignment on the continent 2 1/2 months after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine sent a shiver of fear through Moscow’s neighbors. The Kremlin reacted by …

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• 14 May

  Hamas appeals to Russia for support in confrontation with Israel

  

  A Hamas delegation visited Moscow at a time when relations between Russia and Israel are taking a more tense turn due to Israel’s position in the Russia-Ukraine war. A Hamas delegation visited Moscow on May 4, where it held talks with Russian officials at the Russian Foreign Ministry’s guesthouse. The …

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• 14 May

  Hamas seeks to open new battlefront within Israel’s borders

  

  Hamas is urging Arabs of Israel to escalate their attacks against Israelis inside Israel, as part of efforts to confuse the Israeli army in the event of a war with Gaza. As part of efforts to avoid dragging the Gaza Strip into another military confrontation with the Israeli army, Hamas …

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• 14 May

  EU envoy, Qatar emir arrive in Tehran amid final push for Iran deal

  

  The Iran nuclear deal may be facing “last bullet” with no deal in sight on IRGC. A few months ago in Vienna, observers were anticipating a signing ceremony for a revival of the Iran nuclear deal, formally known Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The so-called P5+1 countries, minus the …

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