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Russia will show pragmatism in seeking Syria solution

Location:

RUSSIA/SYRIA

Government forces have struggled to make headway in their offensive against the final rebel stronghold in the north-west. That campaign enjoys significant Russian support…

Taliban power rivalries emerge at assembly

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

The anodyne conclusions were not a surprise. However, rival senior Taliban figures used the event to float more liberal policies and call for greater pragmatism.

Pragmatism will dictate US interests in Central Asia

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CENTRAL ASIA/US

US interest in Central Asia, particularly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, appears to be rising after several years of declining engagement. The two major Central Asian states…

Pragmatism wins in Ukraine-Russia gas talks

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UKRAINE/RUSSIA

The transit contract is for five years and could potentially allow direct supplies to Ukraine itself. Crucially, Russia's Gazprom has agreed to make a payment towards court awards…

China’s European partners will reassess 17+1 forum

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EUROPE/CHINA

China was keen to send aid, but the experience has nevertheless led to reassessments of China’s engagement with the network’s members, the tangible results and the management of…

Rivals will use tribes to destabilise Syria’s Raqqa

Location:

SYRIA

Some 80% of the city, which was the de facto capital of Islamic State (IS) until its capture by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), was ruined in fighting and…

Gulf states will gradually rebuild Syria ties

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GULF STATES/SYRIA

Gulf-Syria ties.

Striking Afghan heroin labs will not defeat Taliban

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban and the opium trade.

Maduro concerns could bring new Venezuela candidates

Location:

VENEZUELA

This is despite the efforts of a succession of US presidents and Venezuelan opposition leaders, and despite the US sanctions regime. Given his record of victories against external…

Brazil's relations with all key partners risk downturn

Location:

BRAZIL

Since taking office in January 2019, Bolsonaro's government has guided its international relations by its right-wing ideology. On the global stage, it has aligned itself closely…