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Showing posts with the label USA

EDITOR'S CORNER: Which War is More Important?

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Three weeks in, and the war in Iran is only growing more complicated. As noted last week, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, oil prices are still elevated, and questions about America’s intentions in Iran persist—still unresolved after all this time. One notable development in the conversation surrounding this conflict is the comparison being drawn between Iran and Ukraine: which war matters more, and which is more likely to reshape the balance of power on the global stage? That’s the question I want to explore in this post. In the shadow of a new and escalating crisis, are we beginning to forget Ukraine? WHAT IS GOING ON IN IRAN? At this stage, the situation in Iran remains tense but largely unchanged in its broader trajectory. Reports continue to suggest ongoing exchanges between Iran and opposing forces in the region, with military activity contributing to instability across neighboring countries. States such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are feeling the spillover effects o...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Why Oil Prices Are Exploding Because of the Iran War

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The conflict in Iran has now stretched nearly two weeks, with casualties mounting among both civilians and regime forces. America’s objectives remain unclear, though former President Trump has suggested goals ranging from regime change to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program—and even targeting its ballistic missile capabilities. The war has already triggered a well-known but deeply concerning consequence: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow yet strategically critical waterway, controlled by Iran, is a vital artery for global oil shipments. Fears of missile strikes and drone attacks have made navigating it extremely hazardous, halting maritime traffic indefinitely. In this post, I want to focus on the Strait of Hormuz. Let's look at why it matters, how its closure reverberates across the global oil market, and what it could mean for the future trajectory of the conflict. WHAT AND WHERE IS THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but critical waterway in the ...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Normalizing Russia Using Soft Power

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For centuries, Russia has promoted its culture and language as major global exports and symbols of national achievement. At the same time, other countries have often romanticized Russian history and culture, portraying them as exotic and intriguing themes that capture widespread attention. As a result, when people refer to anything “Slavic,” they frequently default to Russian associations. This can be in personality traits, films, cuisine, or aesthetics. Despite the fact that many countries share Slavic heritage, Russia has become the most prominent and recognizable representative of it. Why does this matter? Because the way Russia and Russian culture are portrayed in music, film, and other forms of art carries implicit messages. Art and culture function as powerful tools of soft power, shaping perceptions and subtly influencing how people think and feel about a nation. In this blog post, I will explore this dynamic and its broader implications, focusing primarily on its relevance to t...

GREENLAND: What’s Behind Trump’s Arctic Interest?

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In the previous post, we touched on Trump’s ambitions in Venezuela and his increasing interest in Greenland. Now, it’s time to dive deeper into Greenland itself and explore what a potential U.S. takeover could really mean. What role does Denmark play today? Has Greenland truly been neglected by the EU? Will Trump really risk breaking up NATO?  Let’s find out!   WHAT IS GREENLAND? Greenland is the world’s largest island, with a small population of around 56,000 people, the majority of whom are Inuit. Most residents live along the southwest coast in towns such as Nuuk, the capital. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, managing its own domestic affairs while Denmark handles defense and foreign policy. Culturally, Greenland blends indigenous traditions with Nordic influences, and its society is closely tied to the harsh Arctic environment and the sea. Economically, Greenland is heavily dependent on fishing, which accounts for the vast majority of it...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Peace As A Tool To Deceive

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The past few days have been a rollercoaster of meetings, headlines, and breaking news surrounding the ongoing peace process in Ukraine. Since the United States submitted its widely criticized 28-point peace plan, we’ve seen several revised iterations, culminating in a European-approved version that reportedly contains 20 points. Since Sunday, European leaders and U.S. envoys have been meeting in Berlin, signaling cautious progress. We are close, but still very far . In this blog post, we’ll break down the latest developments in the peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, while also examining some of the troubling consequences that have emerged from this drawn-out and deeply complex process.   WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SO FAR? Over the past few days, Ukraine has reported measurable progress in peace-related talks, largely through discussions with U.S. and European representatives rather than direct negotiations with Russia. Meetings in Berlin have centered on a potential framew...

UKRAINE: Tomahawks before Christmas?

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Now that the Israel–Gaza conflict has been “resolved,” attention is gradually shifting back to Ukraine. Unfortunately, the United States once again appears to be siding with the wrong side. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what has happened over the past few days and discuss the implications of these events. ANOTHER MEETING AT THE WHITE HOUSE Yesterday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump. A key topic of discussion was whether the United States would agree to supply Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. The meeting ended without any firm commitments, which came as little surprise to observers. A day earlier, Trump had spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the call, Trump announced plans to meet Putin in Budapest for a future summit — a move that has raised concerns among U.S. allies about Washington’s current approach to the conflict. These developments have left many questioning the direction of American policy ...

EDITOR'S CORNER: How Extreme Politics Put Everyone in Danger

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The world today feels increasingly split between the left and the right. Over the past decade, politics have drifted further toward the extremes, with many countries leaning heavily to either the far-left or far-right. Centrist parties that once held power have either been voted out or seen their support collapse. Only a handful of nations—Canada and Norway being modern examples—have managed to maintain a centrist or center-left course. In this blog post, let’s take a closer look at why this shift is happening and what it means. Are extreme politics the cure for a broken system, or are they the greatest threat modern democracy has ever faced? WHY POLITICS IS SHIFTING TO THE EXTREMES Politics are swinging from one extreme to the other because people are frustrated. First came Covid, which locked people in their homes, fractured families, cost jobs, took lives, and drained the last reserves of sanity for many. Then came Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sparking an energy ...

UKRAINE: Coalition of the Willing – Too Late or Just in Time?

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The past few months have been filled with talk of peace in Ukraine. Trump’s high-profile meeting with Putin and European leaders shuttling between Washington and Kyiv have fueled debate over what security guarantees Ukraine can really expect once the fighting stops. But what would peace actually look like—and would Putin honor it at all? In this post, we’ll break down how the “Coalition of the Willing” is supposed to work, and what it could mean for Ukraine’s future. A "family" picture of all the leaders present at the summit in March 2025. WHAT IS THE "COALITION OF THE WILLING?" At the start of this year, several countries pledged to back Ukraine with security guarantees if a ceasefire and eventual peace deal with Russia is reached. The “Coalition of the Willing” is a multinational grouping, led primarily by the United Kingdom and France, that brings together a wide range of European partners. It was formally launched by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the 2...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Withdrawal of USA from Europe?

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Since Trump came into power, there has been talk that the USA might withdraw troops and armaments from Europe, with its focus shifting toward the Pacific. This topic feels especially relevant this week, after China’s Victory Parade on September 3, 2025, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. What we saw was an impressive display of Chinese weaponry—some new, some already known—all of it worrying. In this post, I want to cover what it could mean if the USA withdraws or reduces its support in Europe. And, for a change, let’s take a look at how much of a threat China poses on the global stage. We tend to focus on Russia, but I think China is the real sleeping dragon—one that could wake up and breathe fire . WHY DOES THE WHITE HOUSE WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE NOW? NATO has hosted U.S. troops in Europe since the end of the Second World War. Over the decades, Europe has built a defensive strategy—primarily aimed at Russia—that has relied heavily on Amer...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Can Europe Keep Ukraine at the Centre of West's Agenda?

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The White House summit on Monday gathered U.S. and European leaders to reaffirm support for Ukraine and coordinate transatlantic strategy. Ukraine remains the key test of unity, as Washington and Europe work to align on military aid, economic backing, and diplomacy amid rising political pressures and diverging priorities. More than a photo-op, the summit was a measure of whether the West can hold together under strain—from Russia’s aggression to internal divisions—especially in the shadow of Trump’s disastrous meeting with Putin in Alaska. In this blog post, let’s unpack the drama behind the stagecraft and what it means for the future of Western unity.     EUROPE CRASHES TRUMP’S SHOW When Zelenskyy arrived in Washington, he didn’t come alone. Behind him came a delegation of Europe's most influential leaders: Britain’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Olaf Scholz, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Finland’s Alexander Stubb, plus EU Commission President Ursula von de...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Europe, a State in Flux?

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A great deal has unfolded over the past week at the Munich Security Conference, leaving both Europe and Ukraine in a state of uncertainty. The U.S. has signaled a more isolationist stance, even threatening to withdraw military troops and funding from Europe. This shift puts the security framework that Europe has relied on since the end of World War II and the Cold War on increasingly shaky ground—with no clear alternative in sight. In this blog post, I want to examine what this new, more aggressive U.S. position means for Europe and explore potential paths forward. AMERICA WILL NOT PAY! The Trump administration, led by the world's wealthiest man and a real estate mogul, is increasingly obsessed with cutting costs, hoarding funds, and boosting U.S. coffers. While every country grapples with inflation and rising living costs, slashing expenses at the expense of global influence and long-standing alliances is reckless beyond measure. Yet, this is precisely what Trump and his cronies, ...