Friday, May 23, 2014

Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials -- May 23, 2014


Is This Putin’s Next Target? -- Josh Rogin, Daily Beast

Moldova, a small country bordering Ukraine, already houses thousands of Russian troops against its will. Now Russia is pouring in spies, according to its former prime minister.

After Sunday’s elections in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin may turn his attention westward toward Moldova, where Russia is sending spies, beaming in propaganda—and threatening economic strangulation. It’s all part of an effort to help the Communists there defeat the Liberal Democratic government.

Russia already has 2,500 troops in Moldova’s breakaway territory Transnistria. But Moscow is also looking to take control of the rest of country by influencing the upcoming November elections, which could topple the current Western-friendly government—and replace it with political parties infiltrated and aligned with Moscow. Ever since the Russian successes in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, Russian interference has only grown; the flow of Russian intelligence forces into Moldova is going up, according to the recently departed prime minister, who is in Washington this week to ask for help.

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Commentaries, Opinions, And Editorials

Poland’s example may offer Ukraine a way out -- Andrew Nagorski, Reuters

4 reasons you should care about the EU elections (even though most Europeans don't) -- Global Post

May 25 is a day of reckoning for all of Europe -- Al Jazeera

Why China’s terrorism problem is getting worse -- Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post

China vows to crackdown on 'dead-end terrorists.' Will it work? -- Kathleen McLaughlin, Christian Science Monitor

The U.S. Is Finally Making a Friend of Vietnam -- David Stout, Time

Thailand: A Coup, the Crown, and Two Middle Classes -- Serhat Ünaldi, The Diplomat

Iraq’s future looks more like Kurdistan -- Marina Ottaway, Special to CNN

A guide to Egypt's election: What's at stake? -- Hamza Hendawi and Lee Keath, AP

Bethlehem visit: Is Francis an Israeli or a Palestinian pope? -- Zev Chafets, FOX News

Heroin’s fictional comeback -- Jack Shafer, Reuters

Antibiotic-resistant bugs need global response, say health experts -- Ian Sample, The Guardian

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