Wednesday, December 25

Types of News: Analysis

Deeper analysis on world diplomacy, economics and geopolitics.

Russia Loses Soft Power Too As Sports Says ‘No’
2Mar By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Diplomacy, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Human rights, Types of News: Analysis

Russia Loses Soft Power Too As Sports Says ‘No’

Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA, Others Shutting Athletes Out Editor's Note: Soft power is the ability of a country to convince and attract rather than coerce. It can include its appeal of culture, reputation, business, and sports. Soft power is a significant component of global relations, and Russia is losing its fast. Belarus is right behind them. Ukrainian footballer Alex Zinchenko is not the only one rebuking Russian President Vladimir Putin for his war. Athletic organizations are banning Russian and Belarusian teams from competitions. By Ernesto Rodriguez in Madrid March 2, 2022—While we are all still shell-shocked after the “surprise” invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it is also important to start seriously analyzing the many ways the West is fighting this war. While it is too...
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The Weird History of the Venezuela-Colombia Relationship Under Chavismo
28Feb By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Diplomacy, Domestic Politics, Migration, Immigration, Borders, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

The Weird History of the Venezuela-Colombia Relationship Under Chavismo

Photo of Colombia-Venezuela border by El Espectador. By Ernesto Rodriguez February 28, 2022—Neighbors can be a complex issue in international politics. While having an economic and political ally next door can be beneficial—after all, that’s the whole conceit of the European Union—it doesn’t always work that way. When you have a neighbor that has significant political differences or is even an open enemy, it can be catastrophic. Just ask Ukraine. In South America, relations between Colombia and Venezuela are quite complicated. They have been difficult and complex since Hugo Chávez-led Chavismo, a radical left-wing ideology, came to power in the late 1990s.  A Shared History And Culture The two countries share a 2,219-km (1,379-mile) border, a common language and many si...
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As Ukraine Gains Strong Global Support, India, China & UAE Sit It Out
26Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis, Types of News: Videos, UN Security Council

As Ukraine Gains Strong Global Support, India, China & UAE Sit It Out

Security Council meeting Feb. 25, 2022 February 26, 2022—Even as much of the world rallies moral and financial support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia's unprovoked invasion, a few countries refused to condemn the attacks and the violation of international law. India, China and the UAE Abstain From Resolution The United Nations Security Council--the primary international body for settling disputes—has been holding multiple meetings on the situation in Ukraine. On Friday, the Security Council considered a resolution sponsored by 52 countries. The resolution's intent was to hold Russia accountable for its military actions and to uphold the value of protecting civilians. As a permanent member of the council, Russia has veto power, and it exercised that on Friday. However, the re...
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Key Takeaways From PM Boris Johnson’s Address To Parliament on Ukraine
24Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Diplomacy, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Analysis

Key Takeaways From PM Boris Johnson’s Address To Parliament on Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses his parliament on Feb. 24, 2022. February 24, 2022--The United Kingdom's Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the House of Commons today, rallying the British people in what is likely to be a long battle against the Russian government in the aftermath of its assault on Ukraine. Here are some key points from the question and answers: Tougher Finance in London. Britain is likely to crack down on financial transactions. London has long been the home of financial transactions and attracts some of the world's big money players. With that, it's earned a reputation as a tax haven, a safe haven for hiding and even laundering cash. That's all about to change as U.K. politicians hone in Russian banks, oligarchs and business transactions. "We mu...
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Russian Troops Enter Ukraine As Diplomacy Fails To Stop Crisis
22Feb By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Types of News: Analysis, UN Security Council

Russian Troops Enter Ukraine As Diplomacy Fails To Stop Crisis

Putin Revives Soviet Sentiment, Calls Ukrainians 'Our Comrades' February 22, 2022—Despite nearly non-stop diplomacy by all sides for over a month, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine late Monday night. The announcement and troop movement came after Putin recognized the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent countries. Russian President Putin recognizes breakaway republics of Ukraine as independent and signs treaties of friendship. Feb. 21, 2022 Source: Kremlin While many in the West expected a Russian invasion into Ukraine, Russian diplomats continued to deny such a possibility as late as last week during a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. The Security Council met again last night in an emergency session. Ironically, the coun...
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Unsealed Document Reveals New Twist In The Alex Saab Story
18Feb By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Human rights, Types of News: Analysis

Unsealed Document Reveals New Twist In The Alex Saab Story

International Corruption Case Spanning Two Continents And Two Decades Grows Even More Intriguing By Ernesto Rodgriguez @Ernestoalexan February 18, 2022—Since 2018, the mere mention of the name Alex Saab to Venezuelans at home and abroad evokes bad memories of rotten food and rice with metal.  For the rest of the world, here’s a bit of background that puts this week’s revelations in perspective. Saab is the Columbian businessman who cheated Venezuela’s starving population during the worst point of an economic and political crisis that continues to this day.  A Corrupt Food Program In terms of international intrigue, the Saab story is one for the ages. It was in 2018 when an investigations team at ArmandoInfo published a piece about corruption inside the food Ven...
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Whatever Happened to Venezuela’s Interim Government?
9Feb By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Democracy, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

Whatever Happened to Venezuela’s Interim Government?

And Where Does Juan Guaidó Stand Politically? By Ernesto Rodriguez @Ernestoalexan February 9, 2022—It’s probably not easy to be Juan Guaidó in 2022. The former upstart of Venezuelan politics is now struggling to find relevance, three years after being appointed as interim president by the National Assembly he hasn’t been able to accomplish his goal of toppling the Nicolás Maduro regime and leading the opposition to free elections. Now he is also starting to lose his international backing. Support in the European Union started wavering in recent months. Meanwhile, with the world looking away from Venezuela and towards the crisis in Ukraine and Afghanistan, interest itself is dissipating. Even with the strongholds of the United States and the United Kingdom, Venezuelan democracy is...
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Keep Calm And Visit Ukraine?
31Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Types of News: Analysis, Types of News: Videos

Keep Calm And Visit Ukraine?

Ukraine President Urges Economic Calm Amid War-Tremors January 31, 2022--With geopolitical tensions at their highest since the Cold War, Russian troops lined up along two sides of its borders, and the United States warning that conflict is quite possible, it might come as a surprise to learn that the Ukraine is encouraging tourists to visit. After all, U.S. and Canadian diplomats there are sending their families packing and Israel is planning to evacuate up to 75,000 Jews from the country. So it hardly seems like a time for sightseeing in the East European country. But that's exactly what the Ukraine government is urging. "Keep calm and visit Ukraine," the government's tourism board is suggesting. "According to the President and the National Security and Defense Council of Ukra...
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Australia Has Ruled, And It’s A Grand-Slam Crackdown On Speech
16Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Democracy, Domestic Politics, Migration, Immigration, Borders, Type of Post: Essays & Travel Writing, Types of News: Analysis

Australia Has Ruled, And It’s A Grand-Slam Crackdown On Speech

Three-Panel Judge Backs Immigration Official's Right to Make Personal Decision over Visa Status January 16, 2022—A three-judge panel made a decision today in the case of Novak Djokovic versus an immigration minister, and the decision is final. The 20-time-Grand Slam title champion lost his appeal to stay in the country; the government's deportation order stood, and Novak Djokovic left the country. Game over. What Happened? The troubling part of the story is the legal reasoning behind the decision. The court order on January 16 said, "reasons to be published at a later date." Ruling by three-judge panel that gave the final word in the Novak Djokovic visa case. In short, it was not because of Djokovic's vaccination status or visa status. Either one of those issues, if they ...
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The Irony of Cancelling Novak Djokovic
14Jan By Patti MohrNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

The Irony of Cancelling Novak Djokovic

Tennis star Novak Djokovic faced a worldwide "circus" and firestorm this week over his decision to travel while unvaccinated. Australia Pulls Plug on Tennis Star's Visa Exemption over Vaccine Status It’s with great irony that an Australian immigration minister is leading what appears to be a massive public punishment against the world’s top tennis star just ahead of the Australian Open. And yes, it is over his vaccine status. Yes today, amid much of a media storm this week about the visa and vaccine status of Novak Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open, an immigration official pulled the plug. It’s not exactly an example of cancel culture. But it’s close. “Today I exercised my power under section 133C(3) of the Migration Act to cancel the visa held by Mr Novak Djokovic on...
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