Erstellt am: 29. 8. 2014 - 12:54 Uhr

Obama "between Iraq, and a hard place"

Reality Check: Ukraine's spiral of war, the Islamic State and the US conundrum

• Ukraine causes increasing concern

The majority of Ukrainians, both Russian and Ukrainian speaking, just want the violence to stop, and life to get back to normal. At the moment, the chances look slim, as the political rhetoric and military manoeuvres intensify.

EPA/STRINGER

Analyst Paul Rogers examines the strategic implications of the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, and what the International Community can do.

• The Islamic State and the United States

President Obama says he has "no strategy" for how to deal with the Islamic state, in apparently start contrast to the hawkish statements last week from Defence Secretary, Chuck Hagel.

EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Some critics say Obama's choice of a light coloured suit suggests he is not taking the threat posed by the Islamic State seriously enough

James Boys analyses the apparently contradictory statements coming from the United States about their position regarding the Islamic State, and why Obama is finding himself "between Iraq, and a hard place".

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 13.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.