Sunday, April 6

Types of News: Analysis

Deeper analysis on world diplomacy, economics and geopolitics.

Trump’s Costly—And Possibly Criminal—Targeting Against Yemen
Geopolitics, Global Trade, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

Trump’s Costly—And Possibly Criminal—Targeting Against Yemen

Trump May Have Just Committed A War Crime April 5, 2025—Donald Trump, president of the United States, may have just committed a war crime. Late Friday night, he tweeted a video of a drone bomb attack against men gathering in a large circle in a desert. He wrote, “These Houthis gathered for instructions on an attack. Oops, there will be no attack by these Houthis!” It’s not clear from the satellite footage what was happening on the ground, but logic suggests that it was more likely a tribal celebration than a war-planning meeting. The Eid Festival Eid al-Fitr is the first of the two main Muslim festivals that takes place in the Spring at the conclusion of Ramadan. Celebrations differ by country. Eid lasts anywhere from two to five days, commencing with the sighting of the new...
The Geneva Conventions Are Failing All of Us
International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

The Geneva Conventions Are Failing All of Us

Israel's Lawless Assaults On Civilians, Health Care Workers Endangers The World April 4, 2025--On March 23, the Israeli military executed 15 paramedics and ambulance workers who were supposed to be protected from warfare under international law. After the Israeli military killed them, it denied access to the site for days. When Red Crescent workers the finally gained access reached the area, they found a mass grave of the 15 bodies along with the mangled remains of their ambulances and fire engine. Some of the bodies were found with their hands and feet tied. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the vehicles were “uncoordinated vehicles were advancing suspiciously.” A lone survivor said the Israeli military shot directly at the UN Red Crescent vehicles. The ambulances had...
Commentary: The Ironic Case of the ICE Agent Avenger Anti-Hero
Migration, Immigration, Borders, Type of Post: Essays & Travel Writing, Types of News: Analysis

Commentary: The Ironic Case of the ICE Agent Avenger Anti-Hero

Editor’s Note: On Saturday, March 8, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University and a lead negotiator on behalf of student activists who protested during the 2023-2024 school year. The controversial detention of Khalil, a green card holder and legal resident, is at the center of attention in the United States as the Trump Administration challenges foreign students based on speech. The commentary below examines the incident from a more profound human-interest perspective. Writer Matt Mikalatos notes the irony that the lead ICE agent is wearing a T-shirt promoting superheroes from the Marvel Pictures Avengers series. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hxC_LpyW4Gc By Matt Mikalatos One of the odd and ironic things about th...
Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward
Arms Sales, Military Industry, Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Mexico’s Lawsuit Against Gun Makers Moves Forward

Appeals Court Decision Comes As U.S.-Mexico Meet On Root Causes Of Migration January 25, 2024—As President Biden faces pressure at home to stop the flow of irregular migration to the United States at the southern border, Mexico is drawing attention to one of the root causes: U.S.-made weapons in the hands of cartels. Mexico's Defense Department said this week drug cartels are armed with U.S.-made weapons intended for military use, such as grenade and rocket launchers and fully automatic machine guns. Mexico wants the weapons trafficking to stop. Furthermore, the government is demanding answers from the Biden administration.   "It is very urgent that an investigation into this be carried out," Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena said on Monday. Mexico has the third...
EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough
Europe, EU, Eurozone, International Law, Legal Battles, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

EU’s Ceasefire Resolution Says Too Much, Not Enough

European Parliament Passed Non-binding Statement on the Israel-Gaza Conflict January 19, 2024—Israel's war with Hamas and its destruction of Gaza has divided the European Union. The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a watered-down resolution calling for a ceasefire, the dismantling of Hamas, and the unconditional release of the remaining hostages. The resolution is non-binding and largely symbolic. The Parliament passed it with 312 votes in favor, 131 against, and 72 abstentions. What's noteworthy is not the vote or the individual phrases in it. It is that the resolution is too long-winded to have an impact. It thwarts itself at every turn. It calls for a permanent ceasefire and then says Israel has "a right to defend itself." It calls on all parties to "distinguish be...
GUEST POST: Congress, Ukraine Is Still Germane
Foreign Aid, International Development, Geopolitics, Type of News: Guest Post, Types of News: Analysis, United States

GUEST POST: Congress, Ukraine Is Still Germane

Don't Renege On Our Promise To Ukraine Editor's Note: The U.S. Senate is currently considering a $100 billion supplemental spending bill, S.Amdt.1371 to H.R. 815. It would provide $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $14.3 billion for Israel, and Taiwan, and include $14 billion for U.S. border security. As much of the world's attention has shifted to the Middle East, support for Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression is waning in some countries, including the United States. Ukrainian President Zelenskky addressed top officials from United States, the European Union, China, the Middle East have gathered for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum on January 16, 2024. Op-Ed by William Slomanson Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Thomas Jefferson School of Law. William Slo...
Hamas Opens The Gates Of Hell, Inviting The World In
Diplomacy, Human rights, Middle East, Types of News: Analysis

Hamas Opens The Gates Of Hell, Inviting The World In

Hamas opened up the gates of Hell. Now the world must decide whether to enter or put out the flames. October 16, 2023—The Middle East blew up this month, inviting the world to join it on a downward track to a hellish world of murder, massacre, and a limitless cycle of revenge. It does no good to detail the specifics of the October 7 terror attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians. To do so would only continue to crush the spirit of this writer and readers alike. The point is, it was a full-scale air, sea, and ground attack by Hamas militants. It was the largest terror attack against Israel. It left 1,400 Israelis dead, thousands more injured, and at least 199 people kidnapped. Americans were included in the numbers. Militants broadcast their terror on social media, ...
In the U.S., One Strike Ends As Another Grows Bigger
Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis, United States

In the U.S., One Strike Ends As Another Grows Bigger

Auto Strike Has Political And Economic Consequences Auto workers strike outside Ford plant in Michigan. September 25, 2023—As one major labor union strike in the United States ends, another one is getting bigger. U.S. politicians gearing up for the 2024 election are taking notice. Both strikes are taking place as industries undergo technological change. For writers, the issues relate to the gig economy and artificial intelligence. The auto workers, meanwhile, are trying to secure a future in the industry as it undergoes a global transformation to electric vehicles. While the writers' strike affected the entertainment economy and America's viewing pleasure, the autoworkers' strike has the potential to impact the broader U.S. economy. Hollywood Writers Strike First, an end ...
US, Vietnam Strengthen Strategic Partnership
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

US, Vietnam Strengthen Strategic Partnership

New Partnership Paves The Way For Billions Of Dollars In Business Deals U.S. President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong deepened strategic ties. September 10, 2023 Credit: White House photo September 11, 2023—The United States and Vietnam elevated their relations to a new level on Sunday—the highest strategic partnership in Vietnam and a significant one in the United States. U.S. President Joe Biden and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong agreed on Sunday to deepen political and diplomatic ties while paving the way for billions of dollars in business deals. It comes 10 years after the two countries formed the Vietnam–U.S. Comprehensive Partnership, and it ref...
A Critical Look At US Funds For Risky Science Abroad
Foreign Aid, International Development, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Analysis

A Critical Look At US Funds For Risky Science Abroad

Former CDC Director Calls for Reinstatement Of Obama-Era Ban On Gain-Of-Function Experiments April 10, 2023—As a House Oversight Subcommittee investigates the origins of the deadly COVID-19 virus that killed millions of people around the world, new details about the role of global collaboration in science come to light. Today, the Washington Post published a groundbreaking and extensive report on how U.S. government agencies fund high-stakes research on unknown pathogens around the world. Specifically, since 2012, U.S. agencies spent billions of dollars on research of pathogens in at least 78 countries. And though the research includes dangerous virus hunting, safety standards and regulations have not kept pace with the experiments. Furthermore, according to the Post report by David ...

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