Paul Woodward Archive
Showing 21 - 30 articles of 326
Aug 12, 2008
As Russia's military operation expands beyond South Ossetia into Abkhazia and other parts of Georgia, the US accuses Moscow of seeking "regime change". President Saakashvili appeals to his allies by claiming that "fall of the West in the entire former Soviet Union and beyond" is at stake. Read Article Does Russia aim to oust Saakashvili?
Aug 18, 2008
After President Medvedev announces troops will start pulling out on Monday, there is no indication what pace the withdrawal will take or when it will be completed. Western leaders express scepticism and impatience in response to the Russian declaration. In Pakistan, President Musharraf is days away from possible impeachment. Read Article Russia to begin withdrawing forces from Georgia
Aug 19, 2008
With Musharraf out of office, the campaign against extremists in Pakistan's tribal areas continues. Three hundred thousand civilians have now fled the al Qa'eda stronghold during a major army operation. Nato is divided on how to respond to the challenge posed by Russia after the war in Georgia. No clear evidence that Russia has begun to withdraw its troops. Read Article Pakistan after Musharraf
Aug 20, 2008
Beyond an expression of "grave concern" and the use of what Condoleezza Rice called "strong language", Nato lacks the means and the will to apply pressure on Russia. Georgia is now viewed as having little chance of joining the alliance. In Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif threatens to withdraw from the coalition unless the Supreme Court chief justice is restored to office. Read Article Nato suspends "business as usual" with Russia
Aug 21, 2008
In spite of strong Russian opposition, Washington signs a deal with Warsaw that will entail Patriot missiles and American troops being based in Poland. Some Democrats in the US Congress urge a delay in constructing the missile system. The proponents of Nato expansion are criticised for perpetuating a cold war mentality. Read Article US signs missile defence deal with Poland
Aug 24, 2008
The Democratic presidential candidate picks a hard-hitting foreign-policy heavyweight as his running mate but will Joe Biden help relieve America's Obama fatigue? Afghanistan's president condemns an airstrike said to have killed up to 95 civilians, while Taliban attacks on its supply routes make Kabul look like a city under siege. As Russian troops withdraw from Georgia, Ukraine hopes for protection in Nato. Read Article Obama-Biden - the winning ticket?
Aug 25, 2008
With no expense spared, China demonstrated to the world its organisational mastery and hosted an Olympics which above all served as a huge boost for national pride. International activists sail from Cypress to Gaza, symbolically breaking the Israeli siege and winning praise from Hamas, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab League. The Iraqi government's plans to break up the Sunni Awakening movement raises American fears that the insurgency might be rekindled. Read Article Beijing's success
Aug 26, 2008
Report says the US intelligence agency recruited Swiss engineers in the Khan network and supplied Iran with defective equipment in an effort to sabotage Iran's nuclear programme. The Iraqi prime minister says all foreign troops must leave by the end of 2011. Pakistan's coalition government collapses. Russian legislators call for recognition of the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Read Article The CIA and the AQ Khan nuclear network
Aug 27, 2008
After Russia recognises South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, President Medvedev expresses no concern that Russia might provoke a new cold war as relations with the West sink to their lowest point since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Zardari's mental health called into question. Leading contender to become Pakistan's next president diagnosed with a range of serious illnesses including dementia, according to court documents filed by his doctors. Read Article Russia ready for a new cold war
Aug 28, 2008
At a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Russia gets a cool response from China on the issue of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russia threatens a military response to the planned deployment of a US missile shield in Central Europe. A civil nuclear agreement between Russia and the US is likely to be shelved. Even while saying that settlement expansion is "unhelpful", the US government provides tax breaks to help West Bank settlers. Read Article East-West rift widens
