Europe or Russia? For Georgians, the choice isn’t so simple – POLITICO

Europe or Russia? For Georgians, the choice isn’t so simple – POLITICO

But is this really the decision Georgians are making? Is the binary that clear cut? I’m not so sure. To understand the political situation in any country, Georgia included, ask a cab driver, the old adage goes. Maybe the average Joe — or in this case, Giorgi — could shed some light. As he steered his … Read more

Fears grow that Israel is seeking to reopen Lebanon’s internal fault lines – POLITICO

Fears grow that Israel is seeking to reopen Lebanon’s internal fault lines – POLITICO

Even staunch Lebanese opponents of Hezbollah, who have long hoped to see the back of Iran’s most important regional ally, are recoiling at a military campaign that’s triggered the country’s biggest population displacement in over four decades. Oct 15 7 mins read Read original article here Denial of responsibility! Pioneer Newz is an automatic aggregator … Read more

Is this the end for Georgian Dream?  – POLITICO

Is this the end for Georgian Dream?  – POLITICO

With parliamentary elections set for late October, and EU membership negotiations due to start shortly thereafter, the timing of this behavior was largely puzzling. However, an even greater riddle was the ruling party’s 12-year reign: If Georgians were so passionate about Western integration, why did they keep reelecting the anti-EU Georgian Dream (GD) for more … Read more

EPP’s flirtation with far right in Parliament sparks EU budget fiasco – POLITICO

EPP’s flirtation with far right in Parliament sparks EU budget fiasco – POLITICO

“My colleagues felt betrayed because the EPP did not respect the deal and they voted together with the Patriots [on] several amendments,” Negrescu said. “[That] is a problem because you see rapporteurs from EPP or shadow [rapporteurs] incapable of keeping the unity” of the group. After the EPP pulled its move, S&D, Renew and the … Read more

Moldova’s EU dream hangs in balance as shock referendum result nears – POLITICO

Moldova’s EU dream hangs in balance as shock referendum result nears – POLITICO

More than 1.5 million people, or 51 percent of the electorate, cast ballots in the nationwide referendum — well above the one-third required to be considered valid. In a simultaneous presidential election, Sandu, who is seeking a second term in office, topped the list of candidates with `37 percent of the vote and 90 percent … Read more

Germany arrests Libyan suspected of planning terror attack on Israeli embassy – POLITICO

Germany arrests Libyan suspected of planning terror attack on Israeli embassy – POLITICO

Germany arrested a Libyan citizen suspected of plotting an attack against Israel’s embassy in Berlin, the federal prosecutor’s office said on Sunday. The authorities identified the man only as Omar A. and said he is “strongly suspected” of supporting the terror organization Islamic State (IS) and intended to carry-out an attack with firearms on the … Read more

Turkey, Germany discuss arms supplies and Israel’s conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon – POLITICO

Turkey, Germany discuss arms supplies and Israel’s conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon – POLITICO

Scholz is visiting Turkey in the wake of an EU summit focused on migration and amid an emotional debate on harsher asylum rules and increased deportations at home.  Erdoğan, during a meeting which marks the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Turkey, expressed a desire to move past prior difficulties in defense cooperation. … Read more

North Korean troops in Ukraine war called ‘huge’ escalation risk – POLITICO

North Korean troops in Ukraine war called ‘huge’ escalation risk – POLITICO

Both the Kremlin and Pyongyang deny they have engaged in military transfers. And NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Friday that he could not “confirm reports that North Koreans are actively now as soldiers engaged in the war effort.” But Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last summer signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that commits … Read more

If you think Trump’s migration policies are extreme, look at the EU’s – POLITICO

If you think Trump’s migration policies are extreme, look at the EU’s – POLITICO

“A new wind is blowing in Europe,” said the Dutch anti-Islam, anti-immigration, populist Freedom Party leader Geert Wilders in Brussels on Thursday after a meeting of far-right leaders. Migration has been at the forefront for Europe’s politicians since 2015, when more than a million migrants, many of them Syrians fleeing war, made their way to … Read more

Hezbollah’s fatal miscalculations – POLITICO

Hezbollah’s fatal miscalculations – POLITICO

Astonishingly scything through arch-foe Hezbollah’s upper echelons, remorselessly picking off leaders and military commanders one after another, Israel’s becoming increasingly bullish, convinced the disaster of Oct. 7 is being paid back. Israel is being made safer, victory snatched from the jaws of defeat — or so its leaders argue. And soon, they believe, it will … Read more