Friday, April 18

Political Systems, Domestic Politics

Nicaragua Proves That Elections Don’t Mean Democracy
23Nov By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Democracy, Human rights, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Nicaragua Proves That Elections Don’t Mean Democracy

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife vote Nov. 7 in a "sham election" that gives him a 4th term. Political Repression Is Becoming A Trend In Nicaragua And Beyond November 23, 2021—It's a tale as old as time: A revolutionary hero defies a dictatorship, said hero becomes an international icon and beats the dictatorship. (Maybe even the rock band The Clash releases an album named after the movement.) And then, finally, that hero becomes a new dictator himself. That's the history you can see repeating itself in the Russian and Cuban revolutions. And now, in Nicaragua, and it's happening with President Daniel Ortega. Unfortunately, a trend is surfacing, and it's bad for democracy. Acts of repression by the Nicaraguan government are becoming the new normal in many parts ...
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As Israeli Leader Rejects Palestinian State, Norway Steps Up Diplomacy
17Nov By Patti MohrNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

As Israeli Leader Rejects Palestinian State, Norway Steps Up Diplomacy

November 17, 2021--Amid a rejection of the two-state solution by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Norway's Foreign Ministry is hosting talks today with the goal of building up rule of law in the Palestinian territories. Today's meeting in Oslo, Norway represents the first in-person ministerial meeting by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in two years. Norway's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt led the discussion. It's significant on multiple fronts. First, Norway is often instrumental in achieving breakthroughs in diplomacy. Earlier this year, the country's representatives achieved a solution for aid workers to continue to use a border crossing between Turkey and Syria. Later they helped bring Venezuelan leaders together with its opposition in Me...
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In A Sign Of Global Disintegration, Microsoft Closing LinkedIn In China
14Oct By Patti MohrNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Communism, Dictatorship, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

In A Sign Of Global Disintegration, Microsoft Closing LinkedIn In China

Decision Ends The Era Of Western-Owned Social Media In China File photo from LinkedIn in China October 14, 2021—In a sign that the global world is becoming more divided, Microsoft's LinkedIn is closing its operations in China. The company is planning to replace its LinkedIn in China with a China-centric application called InJobs. The goal of that standalone app is to help "China-based professionals find jobs in China and Chinese companies find quality candidates." Notably, it will not include a social media feed and will not allow users to share posts or articles. Mohak Shroff, LinkedIn's senior vice president of engineering announced the decision today in a blog post. "While we’ve found success in helping Chinese members find jobs and economic opportunity, we have not foun...
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Venezuela Ups the Ante In Talks With Opposition Leaders
17Sep By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments
Diplomacy, Domestic Politics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Venezuela Ups the Ante In Talks With Opposition Leaders

Next Round Of Talks In Mexico Are Scheduled For Sept. 24-27; Venezuela Now Wants Alex Saab Part Of Its Delegation Mexico is hosting talks between the Venezuela government and the opposition. Photo: Norway Foreign Ministry of Affairs Editors Note: Venezuela has been in the grips of political and economic crises for much of the past decade. It is the poorest country in South America with a per capita GDP of $3,374. Roughly 94 percent of the country lives in poverty, according to the United Nations. Nicolás Maduro, the successor to Hugo Chavez, rules the country with authoritarian control. The government controls much of the economy through ownership of major enterprises, price controls, and an overdependence on the state-run oil sector. And under Maduro's leadership and against the ...
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Biden Defends Exit From Afghanistan, Cites Trump’s 2020 Agreement With The Taliban
31Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Democracy, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Videos, United States

Biden Defends Exit From Afghanistan, Cites Trump’s 2020 Agreement With The Taliban

Nation-Building Through The Military Does Not Work August 31, 2021--In a significant and riveting speech, President Joe Biden defended his decision to complete the withdraw of U.S. troops from war-torn Afghanistan. The speech is noteworthy not only for its forcefulness. It is also relevant for its acknowledgment of a failure and an end to a U.S. policy of promoting democracy through the use of military forces. Biden faced opposition in the United States and around the world for his decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJRpSm4DdPk
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Despite Falling Numbers, U.S. Still Locks Up More Prisoners Than Any Other Country
18Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Democracy, Domestic Politics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief, United States

Despite Falling Numbers, U.S. Still Locks Up More Prisoners Than Any Other Country

Photo by Hédi Benyounes August 18, 2021--The U.S. prison population fell to the lowest level in 2019 since 1995, according to recently released data from the U.S. Justice Department. In 2019, U.S. correction facilities held 6.3 million people, about 65,200 fewer than the previous year. That represented about 1 in 40 U.S. residents under correctional supervision in America. Though the figure declined by about 3 percent over a decade, it still represents the world's largest per capita imprisonment, according to the data available by the World Prison Brief. China's Numbers Aren't A Total It's significant to note, however, that the imprisonment rate in China does not include people held in pre-trial detention – a figure that might total more than 650,000, or up to one million Uyghu...
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Biden Schedules ‘Summit for Democracy’ in December 2021
11Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Democracy, Types of News: Brief

Biden Schedules ‘Summit for Democracy’ in December 2021

August 11, 2021--President Joe Biden announced plans today to gather world leaders this coming December to discuss the future of Democracy. The commitment to addressing authoritarianism, promoting human rights, and combatting corruption will be the principal themes of the "Summit for Democracy," according to the White House release. Democracy Promotion Is A Priority for Biden The Biden Administration has long emphasized the benefits of democratic values in its foreign policy approach. According to the White House, the administration has understood the challenge of convincing the global population that democratic principles can rectify current issues and improve human rights. Therefore, the summit invites world leaders to demonstrate the progress of their democratic commitments. ...
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No Foreseeable Change In US-China Trade Status, Despite Push By U.S. Businesses
11Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Global Trade, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

No Foreseeable Change In US-China Trade Status, Despite Push By U.S. Businesses

Image of port by Maksym Kaharlytskyi via Unsplash US Business Leaders Cite 'Core Structural Economic Concerns' in US-China Relationship August 11, 2021--Even as competition and disagreements intensify between the world's largest two economies, U.S. business leaders are urging U.S. and Chinese trade representatives to return to the negotiating table. More than 30 business, agricultural and trade organizations signed a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai late last week. The industry leaders asked U.S. trade representatives to work with the Chinese government on implementing an existing trade deal. Furthermore, they asked for relief from tariffs and retaliatory tariffs. President Joe Biden, meanwhile, is emphasizing domestic renewal...
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Ice Cream Maker Under Fire For Stopping Sales In The Occupied Palestinian Territory
6Aug By Patti MohrNo Comments
Human rights, Middle East, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

Ice Cream Maker Under Fire For Stopping Sales In The Occupied Palestinian Territory

EDITORIAL: Backlash Against Ben & Jerry's Draws Attention to Israel's Use of Settlers to Drive Palestinians Out August 6, 2021—A company that takes pride in its logo, "Peace, love and ice cream," finds itself in the hot seat this Summer as the government of Israel, politicians in the U.S. states of Florida, and activists in nonprofit organizations and on social media launch campaigns against it. On July 19, Ben & Jerry's announced that it would no longer sell ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian West Bank. "We believe it is inconsistent with our values for our product to be present within an internationally recognized illegal occupation," the company founders Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen wrote. Ever since that decision, the company and its parent company Unilever have b...
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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...
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