Ukraine crisis is delaying Iran nuke deal – analysis

It takes up the attention of world’s major powers, and Iran is taking advantage

Why is Russia invading Ukraine?

The constant and ongoing question of whether Russia will invade Ukraine is delaying the finalization of a nuclear deal with Iran. It has distracted the Biden administration completely from the Iranian nuclear issue and has harmed dialogue between Washington and Moscow in all areas.

Russia, amid ongoing drills near Ukraine, says ties with US are ‘on the floor’

Russia has more than 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine, has repeatedly denied any plans to invade and has accused the West of “hysteria.”

Russia’s navy held anti-submarine drills in the Black Sea on Monday as fighter jets patrolled its border with ally Belarus in the latest displays of heightened military activity close to Ukraine.

What Is NATO’s Article 5?

The article, as the cornerstone of a treaty signed in 1949, establishes solidarity among member states and has been invoked only once.

Article 5 is the cornerstone of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and states that an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all of its members. Despite its importance, NATO has only invoked Article 5 once in its history—in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The U.S. orders embassy staff in Ukraine to leave over fears of a Russian attack

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that a Russian military invasion of Ukraine could begin at any time and urged Americans in Ukraine to leave now.

The U.S. State Department has ordered almost all of the embassy staff in Kyiv to depart. Consular services will also be suspended on Sunday, according to an advisory. In January, the department had ordered family members of embassy staff to leave Ukraine.

Algeria Positioned to Help Europe in Ukraine Crisis

Algeria is a potentially significant contributor to U.S. efforts to ensure that Europe does not experience a major shortage in natural gas supply as a result of the Ukraine crisis.

Algeria would not, by itself, be able to fully compensate for a shutoff of Russian gas supplies to Europe, though its supply could address some of the potential need.

U.S. and European Allies Show Resolve as Russia Keeps Ukraine on Edge

The tense standoff between Russia and Ukraine continues to drag on, with European countries ramping up diplomatic efforts this week in an attempt to head off conflict.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sought to demonstrate that Berlin and Washington were on the same page, attempting to assuage doubters who have been calling Germany weak for failing to take a hard line with Russia.

Africa: Russia Seeks Role As Africa’s Security Broker Amid Wave of Coups

Russia has recently set its sights on the African continent, signing various political and military deals. Moscow’s renewed interest has been linked to the latest spate of coups as it seeks to gain a foothold.

In early January, hundreds of Russian military advisors were deployed to Mali. The contractors from the controversial Wagner Group were invited to “help Mali train its security forces,” according to the Malian army.

Ukraine, Iran, Taiwan: Biden’s Perfect Storm?

Ukraine-Russia conflict: Biden needs to assure his Indo-Pacific allies that the United States is capable of managing simultaneous crises in both Europe and East Asia. So far, he’s doing it

In a matter of weeks or months, Joe Biden may face the perfect foreign policy storm: three crises in three places of strategic importance – Europe, the Indo-Pacific and the Middle East. If all goes badly, this convergence may generate tectonic shifts in the international system. If managed competently, it could reassert American supremacy, even if temporarily.