Epstein Secrets

pinpricks," we appear hardly credible or formidable. Obama himself seems unable to fathom the fallout from the NSA's tapping of German chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone or from allowing Vladimir Putin to adjudicate the Syrian mess. It is unclear whether Obama has even appreciated the traditional U.S. r

om the NSA's tapping of German chancellor Angela Merkel's cell phone or from allowing Vladimir Putin to

s difficult to imagine that Assad's position will be weaker in six months. This is not a dead man walking," said Ayham Kamel, a Syria expert at the Eurasia consultancy group. "Al Qaeda is here to stay. This is a new reality. It is hard to imagine how the threat will disappear in the future." EFTA0070

arian states.° While Putin called the pact 'immoral" during a 2009 visit to Poland, he defended the agreement during a joint press conference with Angela Merkel in 2015, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He did so in a fashion typical of current Russian propa- ganda methods. He accused the West of try

sHikraine/merkel.listens.aszputin.defends.ussrs.ciart-with.nazi.ap any-388241.html. Tulin Defends Ribbon- trop-Molotov Pact in Press Conference with Merkel; Moscow Times, May 11, 2015, fands.ribbentrop.mnIntny.nart.incresc.rnnfwranra.with-markal.46441 8. Li nas Linkevidius, 'Putin Has Defended the Nazi

ions to ease, eliminate, or circumvent executive term limits. The result has been a resurgence of potential leaders-for- life from Latin America to Eurasia. While more subtle and calibrated methods of re- pression are the defining feature of modern au- thoritarianism, the past few years have featured a

ut with Russia is reflected in twice-yearly EU-Russia summits and numerous bilateral meetings, such as Putin's last June in Germany with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Europe's keen interest in human and political rights in Russia would strengthen dialogue on these issues. It will not be easy to bolster relations

in's last June in Germany with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Europe's keen interest in human and political r

y served as European Commission ambassador to Armenia and Georgia. William Courtney was special assistant to the President for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia, and U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan and Georgia. Kenneth Yalowitz served as U.S. ambassador to Belarus and Georgia. Article 5. EFTA00675623 Al-M

” Second, to what extent will the rise of populism influence policies in the Eurozone? Here, Germany will probably provide a litmus test. Chancellor Angela Merkel and her coalition government are likely to respond to recent terrorist attacks there by proposing a stronger police and military presence, according

rorist suspects have already been arrested among them.°* With German elections scheduled for September 2017, it remains to be seen whether Chancellor Merkel will adjust her immigration policy. 28 | Goldman Sachs | JANUARY 2017 HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_014561 --- PAGE BREAK --- While populism is on the rise and

for September 2017, it remains to be seen whether Chancellor Merkel will adjust her immigration policy. 28 | Goldman

ine Le Pen Looms Over a Trumpian World,” Financial Times, avember 21, 2016. Charles Lichfield, “Fillon Presidency Now More Likely Than a Juppé One,” Eurasia Group, November 21, 2016. 58. oe. 60. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. Charles Lichfield, “Attack Demonstrates Merkel’s Vulnerability

utions to ease, eliminate, or circumvent executive term limits. The result has been a resurgence of potential leaders-for- life from Latin America to Eurasia. While more subtle and calibrated methods of re- pression are the defining feature of modern au- thoritarianism, the past few years have featured a

alitarian states. While Putin called the pact “immoral” during a 2009 visit to Poland, he defended the agreement during a joint press conference with Angela Merkel in 2015, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. q He did so in a fashion typical of current Russian propa- ganda methods. He accused the West of t

hetimes.co.uk/tto/ news/world/europe/article3926546.ece. 6. Gabriela Baczynska, “Putin Accused of Soviet Tactics in Drafting New History Book.” 7. “Merkel Listens as Putin Defends USSR's Pact with Nazi Germany,” Kviv Post, May 10, 2015, httos://www.kyivpost.com/article/con- tent/war-against-ukraine/merk