WPR Articles Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 - Friday, Sept. 11, 2015

Singapore’s First Election After Lee Kuan Yew Promises Continuity

By: Joshua Kurlantzick | Briefing

Both major parties contesting Singapore’s upcoming election, the ruling People’s Action Party and the opposition Workers’ Party, say it will be definitive, even historic. But in reality the election will bring mostly continuity in economic, social and foreign policy, no matter which party triumphs.

Elections Won’t Ease Lukashenko’s Growing Problems in Belarus

By: Andrew Wilson | Column

Despite President Alexander Lukashenko’s certain victory, Belarus’ October election still matters, in a region gripped by the turmoil caused by Russia’s proxy war in Ukraine. Lukashenko is traditionally seen as pro-Russian, but only because Russia has kept him afloat these past 21 years.

Why the U.S. Has Accepted So Few Syrian Refugees

By: Karina Piser | Trend Lines

As the plight of Syrian refugees attempting to enter Europe dominates international media, calls have mounted for the United States to play a greater role in managing the crisis. But partisanship and Department of Homeland Security rules mean the U.S. is less willing and less able to accept more migrants.

Azerbaijan’s Ties With West Fray Amid Human Rights Crackdown

By: Maria Savel | Trend Lines

Azerbaijan continued its crackdown on human rights with the recent sentencing of an investigative journalist to seven-and-a-half years in prison for illegal entrepreneurship and tax evasion. Baku is ratcheting up its anti-Western rhetoric, and ties with the U.S. and Europe are getting strained.

The Long-Term Security Challenges of Libya and Syria’s Lost Generations

By: Steven Metz | Column

Today the world is riveted by the tragic migrant flows from Libya and Syria into Europe. While addressing this humanitarian crisis is the most pressing concern, political leaders must also look further into the future: Today’s migrant crisis is the bow wave of tomorrow’s security challenges.

More China’s Economic Slowdown Won’t Derail Diplomatic Outreach in Central Asia By: The Editors | Trend Lines At the end of July, peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban were canceled, striking a serious blow to China’s diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan. In an email interview, Kemel Toktomushev, a research fellow at the University of Central Asia, discussed China’s diplomatic outreach in Afghanistan and Central Asia. To Be Determined: Hope and Hype Over Europe’s Digital Single Market By: Kentaro Toyama | Feature In May, the EU announced a strategy for a Digital Single Market that would expand the union’s single market for goods and services into the digital domain. Although much about the DSM’s implementation remains uncertain, lessons from the single market shed light on its likely benefits—and drawbacks. With Iran Deal Secured, Implementation Becomes Next Battleground By: Ellen Laipson | Column President Barack Obama has now won enough support in Congress to ensure that the Iran nuclear deal will move forward. But while a major political achievement, the victory is not any guarantee of long-term success. Profound disagreements over the deal could still jeopardize its implementation. Iran Deal Loss Highlights Limits of AIPAC’s Influence By: Michael A. Cohen | Column With the Iran nuclear deal well on its way to safe passage through Congress, many observers are singling out AIPAC as one of the big losers of the debate. Not so fast. AIPAC might have lost this fight, but that’s nothing new: The group has lost every time it has taken on a sitting U.S. president. Despite Economic Slowdown, Russia Still Banking on China Pivot By: Frida Ghitis | Column China’s economic slowdown creates problems for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his plans to rely on stronger links with Beijing to fortify his position. But those who think it brings an end to a new global alliance should think again: Russia and China’s ties are more strategic than economic. How the U.S. Can Capitalize on a Budding Egypt-Saudi Alliance By: Iyad Dakka | Briefing Egypt and Saudi Arabia, arguably the Arab world’s two most influential states, continue to express their determination to strengthen their growing alliance. Closer Egyptian-Saudi cooperation may allow the U.S. to double down on its strategy of engaging with partners in the Middle East, but it won’t be easy. Habre Trial Raises Hopes for Justice in Chad, and Across Africa By: Celeste Hicks | Briefing After a 15-year battle for justice, the trial of Hissene Habre, the former leader of Chad, on charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and torture during his rule in the 1980s has begun in Senegal’s capital, Dakar. If successful, the case could have profound implications for African justice.