The year 2014 began quietly. The Sochi Olympics in Russia started without a hitch, despite all the concerns about security issues. The Sochi Olympics are presented in a specisal section of Issue 35.
Then the spurting Ukraine unrest became a full-fledged Revolution (known as the Euromaidan Revolution or Revolution of Dignity). Kicking into high gear on February the 18th, the government was toppled five days later. A new chapter began.
Meanwhile another movement began to take shape after a decade of up and down activity. Going up a large and dangerous level: The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant or ISIS had close links and ties to Al-Qaeda until February 2014 when, after an eight-month power struggle, Al-Qaeda cut all ties with the group, reportedly for its brutality and “notorious intractability.” The story of this group is just beginning.
