Geopolitical – Week of 09.14.14

Growing Imbalance Between Germany and France Strains Their Relationship
NY Times | 14 September 2014
The two countries are in such different places — economically, socially and politically — that the vaunted partnership teeters on the verge of a breakdown…

US to Sell Missiles to Poland Amid Russia Tensions
Telegraph | 14 September 2014
The sale of 40 air-launched AGM 158-missiles to Warsaw was approved by the US State Department on Monday…

Chinese Militants Get Islamic State ‘Terrorist Training’
Reuters | 14 September 2014
Chinese militants from the western region of Xinjiang have fled from the country…

Putin Plans to Attend G20 Summit in Australia
Reuters | 14 September 2014
Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to attend a Group of 20 summit…

New Zealand Launched Mass Surveillance Project While Publicly Denying It
The Intercept | 14 September 2014
The New Zealand spy agency, the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB)…

India Applies for Full Membership of SCO
Business Standard | 12 September 2014
India Friday formally applied for full membership in the energy-rich Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)…

New Tennessee Law Allows Gun Owners to Keep Loaded Firearms in Vehicle
Timesfreepress | 09 July 2014
Under a new law that quietly took effect last week…

Dropbox Reveals Government Requests for User Information
The Guardian | 15 September 2014
More than 250 requests have been made for user information in the first half of 2014, the company’s transparency report revealed…

Russia and Islam, Part Six: the Kremlin
The Vineyard of the Saker | 09 March 2013
This is a topic which I have been most hesitant to cover for many reasons…

American Shakedown: Police Won’t Charge You, But They’ll Grab Your Money
CBS News | 11 September 2014
U.S. police are operating a co-ordinated scheme to seize as much of the public’s cash as they can…