Tuesday, December 24

Geopolitics

Geopolitics refers to international relations and power politics as they are influenced by geography, history, and alliances.

NATO Steps Up Support For Ukraine Sovereignty
Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

NATO Steps Up Support For Ukraine Sovereignty

NATO defense ministers met Feb. 14, 2023 in Brussels. February 14, 2023—As the war in Ukraine intensifies even beyond the intense fighting that has taken place to do, the NATO alliance and its members are amping up their support for Ukraine. NATO defense ministers and staff met in Brussels today to plan to provide more military support for Ukraine, increase the production of defense equipment, and strengthen and replenish members' own stocks of goods. Support for Ukraine includes training pilots, heavy weaponry, the modern air defence systems, the ammunition, and tanks. Asked by a reporter ahead of the meeting about the NATO's involvement in supplying equipment to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said it is right to support Ukraine's fight to maintain its sover...
What Happens When China Buys Up Europe’s Ports?
Europe, EU, Eurozone, Geopolitics, Global Trade, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Analysis

What Happens When China Buys Up Europe’s Ports?

China's Xi Jinping has a stake in developing relations with Greece and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Photo: Li Xueren/Xinhua China's State-Owned Cosco To Buy Stake In Another European Port November 2, 2022—Greece may be a pioneer and champion of democracy, but in the business of trade it owes a great deal to communist China. In fact, its largest port, Piraeus, is owned by a Chinese state-owned shipping company called Cosco Shipping. That's the subject of a fine piece of reporting by Kaki Bali for Germany's DW, called "In Greece's Largest Port of Piraeus, China Is The Boss." Bali looks at the implications on trade and geopolitics as China's Cosco buys up ports in Greece, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands and Brussels. Noting the modernization of the port and jobs, ...
EU Advances Bosnia And Herzegovina Membership Request
Europe, EU, Eurozone, Geopolitics, Human rights, Types of News: Brief

EU Advances Bosnia And Herzegovina Membership Request

European Commission Demands Candidate Countries Provide Stronger Human Rights Protections October 14, 2022—The European Commission gave the green light to Bosnia and Herzegovina on its candidacy to join the 27-member European Union. The decision, which comes with stipulations, moves to the European Council. EU leaders are aspiring to expand their bloc as a way to spread their perspective on the world stage. Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi called the enlargement policy a "geostrategic investment" in the continent's peace and stability. Candidates for the EU Line Up Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia are the latest countries to request membership. The bloc already has many countries waiting to get in, including Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. "The Western Balkans are ...
Turkey And Russia Discuss Energy Deals, Trade in Food
Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

Turkey And Russia Discuss Energy Deals, Trade in Food

October 13, 2022—On the sidelines of a conference in Kazakhstan, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed trade of Russian grain and fertilizer and plans for Russia to run nuclear plans in Turkey. Energy Deals In addition to the nuclear deals in Turkey, they also discussed transporting Russian gas through Turkey via its ferry system. Putin said Turkey is "the most reliable route to deliver gas to the European Union," according to various news sources that quoted the Kremlin. He added that the hub in Turkey would be a "platform not only for supplies, but also for determining the price." Turkey To Transport Grain And Fertilizer Erdogan said facilitating trade of grain and fertilizer from Russia to other countries is of...
NATO Reaffirms Support For Ukraine, Strengthens Air Defense
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

NATO Reaffirms Support For Ukraine, Strengthens Air Defense

Photo by Kongsberg October 13, 2022—As NATO ministers met in Brussels yesterday and today, Russia's bombardment of Ukraine's capital and nine other cities was fresh on their minds. The war intensified, and NATO and the G7 nations of Western countries strengthened their support for Ukraine. Ukraine has asked the military alliance of 30 countries to fast track its request for membership. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that would lead to World War II. And many NATO-member leaders took heed. "We do not want world war," French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter. Germany, meanwhile, is leading the effort to strengthen Europe's military defense. Air Defense System While NATO treads lightly on expansion. Today, 14 NATO members agreed to jointly develop an air de...
A ‘Bomb Beneath The Multilateral System’
Geopolitics, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Quotes

A ‘Bomb Beneath The Multilateral System’

October 13, 2022—European Council President Charles Michel described a geopolitical shift due to the Russia-Ukraine war in an address to the Council. European Council President Charles Michel on a geopolitical transition. "And this war is also, in a way, a bomb that has been placed beneath the multilateral system. As well we know – more or less intuitively, more or less rationally – without a doubt, we are at this very moment being thrown into a sort of geopolitical transition towards a new chapter, a different chapter in the history of international relations."-European Council President Charles Michel, October 10, 2022 speech
Ukraine Fast Tracks NATO Application After Russia Takes Territory
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

Ukraine Fast Tracks NATO Application After Russia Takes Territory

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked NATO to fast-track Ukraine's application on September 30, 2022. September 30, 2022—After Russia took four territories in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applied to the NATO security alliance to fast-track Ukraine's application. "Today, here in Kyiv, in the heart of our country, we are taking a decisive step for the security of the entire community of free nations," Zelensky said today in an address to his nation. Zelensky asserted that Russia would have attacked other countries, such as the Baltic states, Poland, Moldova, and Georgia if Ukrainians had not stopped them. "Security has no alternatives. But determination is needed to guarantee it. We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine’s application for accele...
As Nicaragua Invites Russian Troops To Central America, U.S. Responds
Communism, Dictatorship, Geopolitics, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

As Nicaragua Invites Russian Troops To Central America, U.S. Responds

U.S. Treasury Sanctions State-Owned Gold Mining Firm June 17, 2022—Citing Nicaragua's closer ties with Russia and political oppression at home, the U.S. Treasury issued new sanctions today targeting a Nicaraguan mining company and a government official. Specifically, it targets Empresa Nicaraguense de Minas (ENIMINAS), a state-owned gold-mining company, and Ruy Lopez Delgado, the head of the enterprise. Nicaragua Welcomes Russian Military The sanctions action comes just days after Nicaragua's parliament approved a decree to allow Russian troops to enter the Central American country. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega invited Russian troops into his country to carry out law enforcement duties and conduct joint military exercises, ABC News reported earlier this month. On J...
In Contrast To NATO, Moscow-Based CSTO Is Silent On Ukraine
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Analysis

In Contrast To NATO, Moscow-Based CSTO Is Silent On Ukraine

File photo: CSTO meeting 2020 March 24, 2022--The Russia-dominated military alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization is keeping silent on the Ukraine crisis, including Russia's invasion and the humanitarian outflow of refugees. That stands in contrast to the 30 member NATO alliance, which issued a statement today in reaction to Russia's war in Ukraine. March Meeting on Crisis Response Meeting this month virtually, the Moscow-based CSTO staff discussed crisis-response initiatives with military representatives from its member states. Members include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. According to a March 24 news statement about the meeting, the representatives discussed the "military and political situation in the world and ...
Europe Shores Up Its Defence, Sets Up Security Plan
Europe, EU, Eurozone, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

Europe Shores Up Its Defence, Sets Up Security Plan

NATO Also To Strengthen Its Defense Capabilities In Europe And Perhaps Beyond March 23, 2022--This week political leaders are meeting on two tracks to build up security in Europe: in the NATO Alliance and in the European Council. Josep Borrell speaks ahead of European Council March 21, 2022 meeting. Even before Russia invaded Ukraine, European countries started plans to shore up their own defenses. It started in 2017 with talks of a voluntary defense arrangement among EU countries. Over time, it grew in. ambitions. After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August, European leaders began talking about strengthening their own defense capabilities and building stronger autonomy in foreign policy. That led to the culmination of the Strategic Compass. It is a forward-looking defense ...

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