Afghanistan: On transfer of security and peace negotiations

1. The NATO led International coalition hands over responsibility to the Afghan national army and police. The transition sounds as a major milestone, but how would you asses the ability of Afghan forces to do their job?  2. Also  U.S., Afghans, Taliban peace talks may  begin. What it means in your opinion? Read Few comments by Jorrit Kamminga, Visiting Fellow, Netherlands Institute for International Relations Clingendael.

European Union vs PRISM?

As Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said that the PRISM project is aimed on foreigners would you say that the European Union (European Commission) should as ask at least for the clarifications if European citizens were targeted? Read few comments.

Obama’s speech on terrorism, drones, Guantanamo… A new strategy?

POTUS also said in his speech: With a decade of experience now to draw from, this is the moment to ask ourselves hard questions about the nature of today’s threats, and how we should confront them. Read few comments on this.

Woolwich attack as an act of jihadism?

Few comments by David Lowe, Principal Lecturer, Law School, Liverpool John Moores University

How much of Iran is in Israeli air strikes in Syria?

Read few comments.

German neo-Nazi trial begins. What to expect?

Eight Turkish men, a Greek man and a German policewoman were killed by the neo-Nazi cell National Socialist Underground. The surviving member of the far-right gang Beate Zschäpe goes on trial.

Irregular quote of the day

Rory Medcalf, Lowy Institute Program Director, Australia India Institute Associate Director in “Defence White Paper 2013: Treading water in the Indo-Pacific.”

North Korea versus South Korea. Is it different this time?

We went through this rhetoric full of threats from the North Korean side many times before. So would you say is it somehow different this time, is it in your opinion possible to identify any new element in this? Read few comments.

Cyber or Cold War?

According to NYT article a secret legal review on the use of America’s growing arsenal of cyberweapons has concluded that President Obama has the broad power to order a pre-emptive strike.

Should we accept North Korea’s nuclear program?

What can the world realistically do on North Korea’s nuclear program? What should be the best possible reaction after the third test?