Wednesday, December 25

Geopolitics

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

And Just Like That, The Taliban Seize Control Of Afghanistan
16Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Geopolitics, Types of News: Analysis

And Just Like That, The Taliban Seize Control Of Afghanistan

August 16, 2021--The writing was on the wall even as representatives from Russia, China, the United States, and Pakistan met with Afghan and Taliban political leaders last week in Qatar. Their goal was to negotiate a political settlement. But as they met, Taliban fighters were taking city after city under their vengeful control. By Saturday, they had circled Kabul, the nation's capital. The next day, they took that too. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani left the country, saying that he left to avoid bloodshed. Soon, Taliban fighters posed for photos in the presidential palace. They removed the Afghanistan flag, rolled it up, and waited for their political leader to return from Qatar. "I spent eight years in Guantanamo Bay," a Taliban commander behind a large, ornate desk in the president...
Read More
U.S. & Indian Diplomats Strengthen Partnership, Discuss Regional Security And Afghanistan
31Jul By Steve BerlinNo Comments
Democracy, Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

U.S. & Indian Diplomats Strengthen Partnership, Discuss Regional Security And Afghanistan

Press conference in New Delhi on July 28, 2021. The Top Diplomats Also Discuss The State Of Democracy In The World July 31, 2021—Afghanistan’s future and the withdrawal of U.S. troops were at the fore of discussions between Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi this week. During a brief press conference on Wednesday, the two called for a peaceful solution to governance problems in Afghanistan. This came even as the Taliban continued to make military advances since the U.S. withdrawal. Ultimately, however, the Afghan people must work out the solutions that work best for them, they said. The country is under increasing stress as the Taliban takes control of territory and wreaks havoc. Both countries have i...
Read More
Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe
20Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe

Increasing Human Rights Violations Since 2020 Draw Attention July 21, 2021-- Belarus' reputation as a repressive nation has gotten even worse. Here's why. On a trip to Lithuanian in 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice referred to the former Soviet republic of Belarus as “the last remaining true dictatorship in the heart of Europe.” It angered officials in Belarus at the time. The administration of President Alexander Lukashenko asserted that the country's future is “determined by the nation’s people.”  Sixteen years later, the country is still ruled by Lukashenko. And he rules it with an iron fist. East Or West? Five years ago, Lukashenko faced a difficult decision: Partner with Russia, his closest ally, or apply to join the European Union. Belarus decided not to choose ...
Read More
Afghanistan: A “Ticking Clock” as U.S. Military, NATO Exit
1Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, UN Security Council

Afghanistan: A “Ticking Clock” as U.S. Military, NATO Exit

July 1, 2021-As the U.S. and NATO military forces leave Afghanistan, a tumultuous unraveling of society is taking place in the country. Afghans are facing human rights violations, corruption, and economic threats, a panel of experts told the UN Security Council last week. Meanwhile, new clashes between the government and Taliban forces are breaking out.  U.S. and NATO troops are pulling out of Afghanistan earlier than the expected September 11, 2021 withdraw. That's causing a “seismic tremor” in Afghanistan, according to Deborah Lyons, Special Representative and Head of the UN Assistance Mission. “The withdrawal decision was expected, but its speed — with the majority of troops already withdrawn — was not,” a UN News publication quoted her as saying. Lyons briefed the co...
Read More
Is the Sky Turning Red Over EU-Member Hungary?
4May By Patti MohrNo Comments
Democracy, Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

Is the Sky Turning Red Over EU-Member Hungary?

Hungary And China Strengthen Ties, Will Build Chinese University In Budapest May 4, 2021--As tensions rise between China and the West, one European Union-member country is drawing ever closer to Asia's Red Dragon: Hungary. Situated between seven countries in Central Europe, Hungary is a key outpost of the 27-member European Union. Lately, however, the country appears to be falling out with its European allies and drawing closer to communist China. Hungary Leaning East In March, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban broke with the rest of the EU consensus on COVID-19 by ordering China's Sinopharm and Russia's Sputnik V vaccines. Later that month, Hungary's President Janos Ader met with his Chinese leaders in Budapest and promised to strengthen relations with China on trade, econ...
Read More
Biden Hosts ‘Quad’ Virtual Conference with India, Japan, Australia
12Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Global Trade, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

Biden Hosts ‘Quad’ Virtual Conference with India, Japan, Australia

Quad Meeting Comes a Week After China Strengthens Ties with ASEAN March 12, 2021--In his first multilateral summit since taking office in January, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a virtual conference today with the leaders of Japan, India and Australia. "The Quad is going to be a vital arena for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific," Biden said. "The United States is committed to working with you our partners and all our allies in the region to achieve stability." The talks, known formally as the “Quadrilateral Security Dialogue” since their start in 2007, are designed to strengthen diplomatic, military and economic ties among the members. While not an alliance, the informal dialogue provides a structure for the leaders to work together. During the opening statements, the leaders e...
Read More
Central America Leaders Advance Regional Development Plans As Area Slides Into Poverty
12Dec By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Global Economics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

Central America Leaders Advance Regional Development Plans As Area Slides Into Poverty

Dec. 12, 2020-The global pandemic and a double-dose of hurricane damage is sending Central American populations and governments into a crisis. Poverty rates are increasing. And governments are facing protests at home. This week leaders from Central American countries met to discuss the structural roots of migration and an ambitious development plan for the region. Poverty Rising, Economies Shrinking About 12 million people in Central America fell into poverty this year, according to Alicia Bárcena, executive secretary for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). "The fiscal standing of these countries has been affected by expenditures made to confront the pandemic," Bárcena said, according to the press release. "In addition, the ETA and IOTA hurricanes ...
Read More
China Aims to Upend And Amend World Order, U.S. State Dept Says
20Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

China Aims to Upend And Amend World Order, U.S. State Dept Says

Nov. 20, 2020--The Chinese Communist Party intends to create a new world order serving authoritarian goals and nationalistic ambitions, according to a newly released report by the U.S. State Department. 'New Great Power Competition' The 74-page report asserted that China's ambition of revising the world order is triggering "a new era of great-power competition." Specifically, the State Department said that China plans to influence every region of the world with its economic power and reform international organizations from the inside out. As it does, it is increasingly reshaping the world with its authoritarian model, the report said. That puts that current world order -- one founded on free and sovereign nation-states -- that advances U.S. national interests, according to the...
Read More
Afghanistan Peace Unlikely, As U.S. Exits Trillion-Dollar War
6Mar By Patti MohrNo Comments
Geopolitics, Types of News: Analysis

Afghanistan Peace Unlikely, As U.S. Exits Trillion-Dollar War

March 6, 2020--In the days following the U.S.-Taliban agreement, violent attacks in Afghanistan show that an intense battle is underway for control of the country. On Saturday, U.S. representatives signed an agreement with and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, otherwise known as the Taliban, in Doha, Qatar. The deal promises to "bring peace to Afghanistan." But in the week that followed, attacks by Taliban forces and other gunmen shed blood of Afghan troops, government officials and civilians. On Wednesday, the Taliban conducted a wave of attacks across the country. And today, an attack by gunmen against the Afghan government killed at least 27 people and wounded 29 others. Talks between the Afghan government and Taliban are scheduled to start on Tuesday, March 10. Today, ...
Read More
Russia Signs Arms, Energy Deals with African Countries
24Oct By Patti MohrNo Comments
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Diplomacy, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Geopolitics, Global Trade

Russia Signs Arms, Energy Deals with African Countries

October 24, 2019—In the first-ever Russia-African Summit being held this week in Sochi, Russia, Russia signed a series of memorandum of understandings and trade agreements with 54 African countries, the Moscow Times reported. The deals include $4 billion worth of Russian weapons, military helicopters, an investment cooperation deal on an oil pipeline, and potentially a nuclear power station in Ethiopia, according to the article. Debt Write-Off Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to write off $20 billion worth of African debt. Furthermore, he said he plans to double Russia's trade with the African continent within four to five years. Rosatom, a state-nuclear company is in talks with the government of Ethiopia to build a nuclear power station. The Russian enterprise already has...
Read More

Contact Us