Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspension And The Hun Sen Scandal

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from her governance duties. The scandal relates to a phone call with Hun Sen. The former prime minister of Cambodia is now president of the Senate. Thailand and Cambodia are now involved in a escalating  border dispute. The call was seen by the more nationalistic elements of Thailand as a violation of ethics. The discussion was about the current tension between the two countries. Instead, it was exaggerated to be some act of treason or evidence Prime Minister Paetongtran is a puppet. Neither of these accusations have evidence. Hun Sen during the phone call expressed harsh criticism of the Thai military. The real scandal is that the Thai military has more control over government than the civilian leadership. The Hun Sen scandal is about the Thai military attempting to stop peaceful resolutions with Cambodia. Thailand could be headed for another coup. The pattern seems similar to 2006 and 2014. A few senators in Thailand submitted a petition for her removal from office. The Constitutional Court then took the recommendation of investigating ethics violations. This is an attempt to criminalize political opponents. The Thai military was responsible for the removal of her other family members who were elected to office. Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from office by the Constitutional Court. The murder of a Cambodian soldier on the border caused a sharp decline in diplomatic relations. The only means to improve conditions is to discuss matters. A phone call attempting to prevent a war should not be met with suspension form office. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has only 15 days to organize legal defense for her case. The verdict most likely has been determined without the trial. If heads of state cannot engage in dialogue with foreign leaders, resolving issues will be impossible. The Hun Sen scandal is about the Thai military trying to sabotage peaceful resolutions to the Cambodian border dispute.   

Ghana and Morocco Visa Agreement

 

Ghana and Morocco have reached an agreement related to visas. Citizens of Ghana can now travel to the North African country without visa requirements. Online travel authorization will still be required. Applying through the embassy is no longer necessary. Ghana and Morocco already have direct flights. The reasons for the agreements related to tourism, trade, and enhancing diplomatic relations . Tourism is a major part of the economies of both nations. Travelers can mean more business for hotels, restaurants, and airlines. Trade among African nations needs to be increased. Europe and North America are becoming unreliable trade partners. Inter-African trade provides stable economies and growth. Diplomatic relations can be positive, if members of an agreement benefit equally. What could disturb diplomatic relations is Morocco's actions in the Western Sahara. Ghana decided to not press the issue related to recognition of the Western Sahara as an independent state. The Kingdom of Morocco must seriously consider granting independence to the Western Sahara. The shift seems to be more autonomy to the area. Morocco's diplomatic efforts are undermined by unreasonable policies directed at the Western Sahara. Ghana is making adjustments not to interfere with the new diplomatic relationship. Ghana is supporting Morocco's Western Sahara autonomy plan. Ghana should expect that relations with Algeria could deteriorate over time. Ghana's only path forward is to act as a neutral negotiator. Getting Algeria and Morocco to secure trade and visa agreements would bet helpful to Ghana.      

A Decade of International Affairs, Change, and Global Confrontation

 The world has drastically changed in a decade. International power  dynamics are shifting due to economic and geopolitical factors. The 21st century is going to be more turbulent due to these changes. Warfare, poverty, and intense racial hatreds have not disappeared with advancement of civilization. The international liberal order is being rejected. The nations of the Global South have become more frustrated living in a world that takes dictates from the European Union, United States, and western elites from the World Economic Forum. Globalism implies a world of cooperation, peace, and a community of nations. The ideology and term is a misnomer.  Globalism used in modern context is furtively promoting neocolonial imperialism. Western values, culture, and liberal democratic systems are imposed on particular nations. To gain public support, wars are framed as humanitarian intervention or protection of democracy. The world of the 2010s and 2020s was predicted back in the late 20th century. The power void left by the fall of the Soviet Union allowed for abuse by the world's sole superpower. The assumption was that the world would become more peaceful after the Cold War. The United States did not end its military interventions or decrease defense spending. NATO expanded in Europe and engaged in operations outside the continent. Afghanistan and Libya were targets. The response to aggression across international borders came from a more powerful China and a Russian Federation recovering from economic challenges of the 1990s. International affairs is undergoing a more pugnacious transformation. Warfare is now being promoted as a humanitarian quest to stop authoritarian leaders and states. Multipolarity is going to be a part of world politics. The United States, France, UK, and Germany are not accepting of this change. Intolerance, a limited worldview, and closed minded perceptions become fuel for global confrontation. 

         The expansion of war zones has increased. Previous areas are either stuck in a status of failed state or long term insurgency. The Democratic Republic of the Congo's second civil war ended in 2003. By the 2010s the M23 rebels emerged with Rwandan backing. The ethnic tension between Hutus and Tutsis did not dissipate. The Libyan Civil War in 2011  created a failed state similar to Somalia in North Africa. The aftermath was mass refugee migration that continues to be a challenge for Europe. Eastern Europe became a warzone, when the legitimate government of Ukraine was deposed in 2014. Ukraine became a area of proxy war between the United States of America and the Russian Federation. Long term conflicts continued, but took on a larger international scale. The tension between India and Pakistan became intertwined with the Afghan War. Pakistan has supported factions of the Taliban, while fighting other armed groups. Kashmir remains a disputed territory among the two Asian countries. China tends to favor Pakistan over India in terms of  its foreign policy. What makes this more precarious was President Barack Obama's pivot to Asia. The more confrontational approach to China was a neoconservative vision of eliminating it as a world power. Taiwan from 2012  onwards was given more focus and military aid. A movement is underway in some foreign policy circles to abandon the one China policy. Part of this involves instigating conflict in the region. President Hu Jintao expanded China's international relations in various parts of Africa. His successor Xi Jingping  continues to establish stronger diplomatic ties to Global South nations. The 2002 to 2012 era of China's new phase of international relations caused a reaction from the United States and European Union countries. The attitude is hostile to the extent of moving to abandon the one China policy. Taiwan will be given more arms, even though it is a part of China. North Korea is a target for a future war with the US and South Korea doing joint military drills. The introduction of the pivot to Asia and the Indo-Pacific strategy has created conditions for an Asia-Pacific war. NATO is becoming a fighting force designed to impose a neocolonial status quo. Internal challenges invite interference. Mali Sudan, and Ethiopia are struggling with civil wars and armed groups. 

      Confrontation between nations does not cease. Mali since 2012 has been fighting a long term insurgency. The aftermath of the Libyan Civil resulted in arms and soldiers coming into Mali. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad seeks an independent state for the Tuareg people. Sudan ended its second civil war by accepting the independence of South Sudan. The new nation came into existence in 2011. South Sudan descended into civil war in 2013. The ethnic violence between Neur and Dinka has been present since South Sudan's independence. Omar Al-Bashir ruled Sudan since 1989, but was deposed by coup. After a number of rotating heads of state, another military ruler came to power. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was made head of state by the Transitional Sovereignty Council. The former members of the Janjaweed militia forces joined in a revolt led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The Rapid Support Forces have since 2023 attempting to overthrow the government. Ethiopia has another issue similar with the conflict with the Tigray People's Liberation Front. The Tigray War lasted from 2020 to 2022. A consistent pattern can be seen with all of these countries during the 2010s to 2020s. States are experiencing balkanization and consequences of past colonialism. The majority of borders in Africa and Asia were formed by former imperial powers. Syria's destruction was simple, because it was the product of the mandate system after World War I. Iraq , Lebanon, and Jordan have the same concerns with borders. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 enabled terrorist organizations to have a greater foothold in West Asia. ISIS emerged in both Iraq and Syria. The US, UK, and France assisted terrorist organizations for the purpose of removing the Bashar Al-Assad government. The Syrian Civil War became a proxy conflict between the US and Russia. Only when Russia intervened on Syria behalf in 2015 did it prevent another regime change. The Syrian army could  not defeat Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. HTS took over the government installing Ahmed al-Sharaa. HTS is a terrorist organization and it now governs a state. Baathism became a political force in 1968. The US occupation of Iraq ended that branch. The removal of the Assad government in 2024 made the ideology extinct. Wars have increased in number with rivalries from the 20th century continuing, 

       The world economy continues to be dominated by neoliberal capitalism. After the 2008 global financial crisis, the hope was for serious change. Instead , bailouts and the protection of corporate power went unchallenged. Transnational corporations during the 2000s gained more power than governments. The liberal democracies accepted this development, because certain companies provide campaign contributions to politicians. Poverty has increased, with people who were at one stage middle class falling into socioeconomic hardship. Privatization, structural adjustment programs, and outsourcing had devasting consequences. The private sector cannot meet all the needs of a country. This enabled corporations to do business in various areas, which reduced the quality of public services. Private equity firms continue to buy housing and hospitals. To reduce costs beds in hospitals are reduced. Apartment complexes have spikes in rent. Deregulation related to banking only exacerbates the problem. The 2008 financial crash was induced by subprime mortgage loans. The World Bank and International Monetary Fund  keep developing nations in a state of dependency through loans. African, Asian, and South American nations are forced onto structural adjustment programs. This meant reducing tariffs, cutting spending on social services, and privatizing various public sectors. The world under neoliberal capitalism and an international free market changed the nature of employment. Workers are not only competing for jobs in their own nation, but internationally. Outsourcing accelerated with many manufacturing jobs going to Global South nations. Low skilled and semi-skilled professions were the first jobs to disappear in the developed nations. White collar professions were not protected  either. Globalization describes all the policies and events effecting the world economy. The reduction of trade barriers and promotion of free markets has not increased the wealth of workers world wide. Nations that obtained their independence in the 20th century are still seeking economic security and development. The standard of living has declined in the UK and US. The European debt crisis contributed to this in EU countries. Workers  have seen their incomes and standard of living decline. A growing number of workers are falling into poverty. A middle class could vanish  from various nations. Neoliberal capitalism is not preserving the world economy, but making it more erratic. 

         Globalism became a  force in international affairs. Although it is presented as a model for a unified and peaceful world the ideology masks neocolonial imperialism. Globalism is not about cooperation of nations, but a world under permanent leadership of the West. Not only does it demand the exploitation of the Global South, but to adhere to the culture of Europe and North America. Supranational organizations either want to reduce or eliminate national sovereignty. The United Nations was not for the purpose of undermining countries. The international body was designed to facilitate dialogue among nations and peaceful solutions to disputes. Instead, the UN remains dominated by large powers. It was the United States and the Soviet Union that were the dominant powers in the United Nations. Global power shifted in the direction of the US after 1991.Simultaneously, European integration accelerated. The European Union was established in 1993 from the agreements articulated  in the Maastricht Treaty. This took advantage of the Eastern European nations, which were in dire economic condition. More countries of the former Soviet Union were joining the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The problem with this plan for European integration was the Russian Federation. During the Boris Yeltsin presidency Russia was suffering from the aftermath of the Soviet collapse and economy shock therapy. When Vladimir Putin became president in 2000, the Russian Federation was going in another direction. While Yeltsin was more oriented to the West, Putin's focus was on Africa, Asia, and Latin America. At one stage President Vladimir Putin contemplated joining NATO and being a partner with Western Europe. These policies would have never been accepted by the European Union or NATO. Russia cannot amalgamate into a globalist structure, because of its independence. Since 2008, Russia's policy is to influential in international affairs. Globalism wants all nations to adhere to one world system under one culture, liberal democratic systems, and capitalist economies. Globalism insists there is an international community in which all nations are subject to the same laws. The most powerful countries violate international law and are never punished. Their allies and collaborators are also exempted. Israel, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey never face any sort of punishments for human rights violations. Although globalism can have multiple meanings in academic circles, supranational institutions and other organizations have a specific ideology. The World Economic Forum, European Union, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank want an imposed global order. Countries that resist globalism, are going to face hostility.  

      Major changes to global society were induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid technological advancement, and  growing distrust in establishment institutions. The worst public health crisis since the influenza pandemic in 1918 caused massive damage. Part of the harm was exacerbated by inadequate public health policy. Lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and other restrictions created concerns even when the pandemic was over. Lockdowns between those years of 2020 to 2022  caused businesses to close and unemployment to increase. Instead of using quarantines effectively, lockdowns were utilized to greater extent. Workers were not only harmed, but children. Across the world students experienced learning loss from schools being closed. Trepidation and panic took over than rational public health measures. Personal protective equipment, masks, and social distancing should have emphasized more than the use of lockdowns. Sweden, Uruguay, Iceland, and Taiwan did not do lockdowns. Their deaths were not as high as countries in Europe and North America. Travel restrictions brought a decline in tourism and the airline industry. Even when people did not travel, stay at home orders prevented social interaction. Isolation and mental health decline was effecting many individuals. The pandemic caused economic damage, but caused a change in the nature of interpersonal relations. People became more suspicious of one another. Workers revolted in another way. Many left the workforce in the 2020s. Low wages and combined with the daily challenges forced workers to leave companies. The nature of employment changed from the pandemic. More were willing to work form home and champion a four day work week. The relation between employer and employee became more contentious. Technology has become a greater part of over lives. Video sharing, social media, and artificial intelligence rapidly expanded. Technology has made it easier to access information. Youtube, Twitter, and Google have an international reach. False claims and fake news can be spread from any medium. Newspapers and broadcast news did this with little complaint. Governments assert they want to fight disinformation. The true intent is to make censorship acceptable. Social media companies and other silicon valley corporations  took measures to ensure accountability to avoid government regulation. Facebook, Twitter, and Google made adjustments, but it showed a bias. Fact checking and bans were applied to certain individuals, not all users. The realization has come that the internet is too vast and ubiquitous to be censored. The internet is not the same as it was in the 2010s. The medium is constantly evolving and the way users interacts with it does as well. Artificial intelligence generates feelings of anxiousness and wonder. AI could make a large portion of jobs obsolete. If applied in a responsible way it could be beneficial. Using AI for warfare, medical assessment, or stock market management would be dangerous. As information and knowledge becomes more available, the public begins to question more. The establishment continues to lose trust and credibility. Lies about war, the economy, pandemic, and international affairs eroded public support for various institutions. Government, media, and medicine have lost trust from the public between the years of 2003 and 2024. Professionals and experts of the establishment were more interested in supporting a narrative, rather than the truth. The aftermath of this was that the public turns to fringe movements or xenophobic nativist nationalism.  

          As each decade passes, the risk grows of a massive global confrontation grows. Observers of foreign affairs claim that to a degree this has started. The United States and the Russian Federation are waging a war of proxy in Ukraine. Israel is at war with the Houthi in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and invading Syrian territory. An Israel-Iran War becomes a greater possibility, as the country seizes more land .  The third Sudanese Civil War and the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo could destabilize the African continent. Terrorist organizations and armed groups still are threats to the Sahel. Tensions between India and Pakistan could result in another long term conflict. War zones are expanding on Africa, Asia, and Europe. If the US, Russia, China, and the EU countries were to fight one another this would be a third World War. All these conflicts that are ongoing and the United Nations has been ineffective. If a third World War were to breakout, the United Nations would cease to exist. The institution designed to prevent mass global conflict is failing. At times the United Nations was a culprit in aggression. Libya and Haiti have been abused by the United Nations. The challenge in international affairs in the 21st century is containing war and using diplomacy. The unfortunate aspect is that diplomacy is not being employed to disputes. Destabilization, violence, and economic warfare is being used to attack multiple countries. African, Asian, and South American nations are the victims of this. The blowback is mass migration, which pushes western countries closer to the far-right. The  refugees since 2011 continue grow. Unable to find a solution, European leaders either use it to their political advantage or ignore the issue. The shift in demographics is going to cause internal difficulties for the EU. The majority of the world's nation-states are seeking cohesion within their borders. Control of borders is slowly dissipating in a globalized neoliberal capitalist economy. The flow of people, commodities, and information is going to be too much to manage. The rise of BRICS symbolizes a world of multipolarity. France, Germany, the UK, and the US will not accept this development. The United States was the sole superpower and decided to abuse its power. The violence accelerated in 2001, after the 9/11. The War on Terror was abandoned and shifted to a new existential threat of the Russia-China alliance. The desire to maintain a neocolonial structure creates conflict and undermines a stable peace. When powers decline and new ones emerge, a war tends to determine the world order. There is a need to break this cycle in international affairs. The abandonment of diplomacy in favor of war and intrigue demonstrates the desperation to maintain an unequal hierarchy of nations. The decade has been turbulent, erratic, and uncertain.          

African Union Attempts To Solve The South Sudan Crisis

 

South Sudan could be falling into civil war. The African Union has sent mediators to avert the crisis. This is not the first time the African Union was involved in Sudan. There was an AU mission in Darfur. The current crisis was sparked by the Neur White Army. The escalation went further with the arrest Riek Machar. The basis of the arrest was that Machar was connected to the Neur White Army. The new tension has an ethnic element with Neur and Dinka. Most of the current fighting is occurring in the Upper Nile state. The African union mediators want to see the 2018 peace deal remain in place. The reason for the concern is that a South Sudanese civil war would merge with other conflicts. Chad and Ethiopia would be effected by refugees fleeing fighting. Uganda also is a major factor in regional power. President Yoweri Museveni came to Juba to express support for President Salva Kiir Mayadit. Uganda is exploiting the internal struggles to gain more influence in East Africa. The third Sudanese Civil War has reverberated with the flow of arms into South Sudan. President Salva Kiir Mayadit has been the only head of state since 2011. Power sharing was not going to work in a political system that is authoritarian. The African Union requested that Riek Machar's release, yet the government refuses to meet such as demand. More efforts for diplomatic solutions are being made. 

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Enter A New Era of Diplomatic Relations

 

Border clashes between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have been taking place for over 30 years. These circumstances relate to how the Soviet Union divided Central Asia. When independence was granted as the result of the Soviet collapse in 1991, the new countries were in conflict. Between 2021 and 2022 the clashes between the two Central Asian states became more lethal. President Emomali Rahmon  and President Sadyr Japarov signed an agreement outlining what the defined borders would be. Since 2022, roads, railway, and air links were closed off. War or regional conflict only undermines the whole of Central Asia. This change in policy should be an example to all countries in the world. Conflict and war spreads while diplomacy is not given much consideration. The challenge is if Tajik and Kyrgyz  citizens will accept a peace settlement. Ethnic hatreds remain in particular areas. President Emomali Rahmon has ruled the country since 1994. Prior to this, he was Chairmen of the Supreme Assembly between 1992 to 1993. His power is immense being increased by constitutional referendums. President Rahmon has more power to maintain peace or disregard a peace settlement. President Sadyr Japarov does not have authoritarian power like other Central Asian leaders. Kyrgyzstan was during the 2000s rotating through various interim presidents. This was the result of the Tulip revolution. A change in administration could effect relations with Tajikistan. For now, the agreement to end hostilities remain intact.      

Rwanda Severs Ties With Belgium

 

Rwanda has ended diplomatic relations with Belgium. The Rwandan government has instructed Belgian diplomatic staff to leave the country. The reason for the end of diplomatic relations stems from the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The criticisms related to Rwanda's connection to the M23 rebels has generated controversy. Rwanda claims it has no involvement, but the M23 rebels appear to target Hutus. Rwanda is not breaking diplomatic relations out of anti-colonial politics or for the assertion of national sovereignty. Belgium is attempting to take sides in a regional African conflict. The memories of the Rwandan Civil War and genocide remain fresh. The Second Congolese Civil War created many refugees and internally displaced persons. While ending relations with former colonial powers should be praised, this was not for the sake of Pan-African unity. President Paul Kagame wants to increase his political power. Belgium is an obstacle and a possible country that could induce possible regime change. Belgium has been vociferous in trying to get EU members to sanction Rwanda. Imposing sanctions without some type of dialogue, reveals another agenda. Rwanda's military commanders have EU sanctions placed on them. The UK and Germany are suspending aid.  Simultaneously, attempts at peace talks were being made. The United Nations has not made an attempt to help with peace negotiations. As President Paul Kagame faces pressure from the EU, he will look for other allies elsewhere. The DRC has tantalum, which is essential to the electronics and computer industry. Belgium only concern about the M23 rebels is their control of natural resources in the Eastern Congo. President Paul Kagame's involvement in the DRC is not just economic. The RPF is seeking vengeance for the past abuses of the Hutus. Rwanda's break with Belgium was inevitable consequence of war.        

Ukraine Rejects Peace Proposals

 

Ukraine has rejected peace proposals. The reason relates to the fact that Russia occupies the eastern section of the country. Ukraine is divided not only politically, but on an ethnic basis. Ukrainians at this stage might not be willing to accept their ethnic Russian neighbors. The support for the Russian Federation is present in areas with more Russian speakers. President Zelensky does not want to negotiate without getting the territories lost back. The Ukrainian military is not strong enough to do so without aid or direct assistance from other European powers. There is no pathway for Ukraine to win or expel Russia. The Trump administration claimed it would have some form of agreement. The problem is that with no INF Treaty, nuclearization of Eastern Europe will continue. The Biden administration refused to acknowledge that the conflict was a war of proxy. The intent was to weaken the Russian Federation using Ukraine as a trap. The situation is different from the Soviet-Afghan War during the 1980s. Ukraine has become a victim of US geopolitical designs. Demands are being made by the US for Ukraine to agree to a mineral deal. Ukraine has lithium, titanium, and uranium deposits. Natural resources explains the US interference in Ukraine. Russia wants to halt NATO expansion and promote Slavic nationalism in Eastern Europe. The war could be coming to a close, but the aftermath will have devasting consequences. Ukraine is not going to escape the debt from the billions borrowed from EU nations. The US is going to more control over Ukraine's economic affairs. A peace proposal could save the government. President  Volodymyr Zelensky could either be removed by Russians or deposed by his own people. Cancelling elections demonstrates that he knows his support has waned or that he wants to remain in power indefinitely. A peace settlement is the only rational choice to bring Europe back to stability.      

The Challenges Facing President Xiomara Castro

 

Honduras is still recovering from the coup that occurred in 2009. President Xiomara Castro faces both domestic and external challenges. The end of the extradition treaty with the United States signals a major shift. Honduras is asserting its national sovereignty and independence. Latin American nations that are politically left no longer want to align themselves with the United States. The internal affairs of Honduras show that there is internal opposition that does not want change. A video was made pubic which showed her brother-in-law allegedly asking for campaign donations from a drug trafficker. The video is at least a decade old. It was not President Xiomara Castro asking for donations or seeking help from criminal elements. Charges have not been made and no trial has taken place. This has not stopped some who want to see her resign. The National  Anti-Corruption Council appears to be pushing for the president's removal. The National  Anti-Corruption Council has not provided evidence of criminal activity. Without evidence or an investigation the claims are nothing more than accusations. The sudden accusations many suspect are politically motivated. Carlos Zelaya might be guilty of aiding gangs, but nothing in the video suggest President Xiomara ordered the transaction. Speculation also arises that there is a plot  from the United States to have President Xiomara Castro removed. President Xiomara Castro faces internal threats from gangs and the right-wing. The United States is the biggest external threat, seeing as Honduras wants to assert itself in South America.      

Turkmenistan And EU Seeking An Agreement On The Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform

 

The European Union is seeking more economic ties to Turkmenistan. The diplomatic talks that happened this October focused on the establishment of  the  Coordination Platform. This is designed to make trade through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor more efficient. Other Central Asian and  South Caucasus countries sent diplomats and representatives to the meeting. The agreements focused on development of infrastructure, the transport of cargo, and investment. Part of the objective is to promote economic growth in Central Asia and the EU. The construction of the Coordination Platform is set to launch in 2025. This does have benefits for Turkmenistan, but the concern relates to even distribution of them. Employment should be the first priority related to Turkmen. Wealth that is acquired from the project might not reach the average citizen. It might become part of the Berdimuhamedow family's assets. The country has been ruled by the father and son since 2022. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was president from 2006 to 2022. The power sharing agreement was more of the establishment of co-ruling governance. It is unknown how much influence Serdar has on government. Gurbanguly still remains Chairmen of  the People's Council of Turkmenistan. Economic policy appears to be going in the direction of more investment and  association with the European Union. 

Viktor Orban Urges Ceasefire In The Russia-Ukraine War

 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban travelled to Ukraine to promote a ceasefire. Prime Minister Oban has not visited Ukraine since the conflict broke out in 2022. There have been attempts to make peace, but all have failed. President Volodymyr Zelensky has constantly asked for more aid from the European Union. One topic that was mentioned in the meeting was the ethnic Hungarians that reside in Ukraine. Tension exists with the Roma and ethnic Russian population. The discussion was related to the rights of the 100,000 Hungarians. Other bilateral matters were mentioned. After visiting Ukraine, Prime Minister Orban went to the Russian Federation. This did draw criticism from some EU countries, but seeking peace or an end to the war should not be condemned. Talking with President Vladimir Putin would help deescalate tensions. There is a possibility that these meetings will not produce any results. Hungary's motivations are not all altruistic. Seeking a ceasefire may be a means of preemptively stopping the chance of Ukrainian  refugees entering Hungary. Prime Minister Orban does not favor immigration to his country. When the war ends,  other EU nations are going to seek more influence in Ukraine. Hungary might be seeking to invest in Ukraine. Details and motivations remain unclear. If Viktor Orban was able to obtain a peace settlement that would elevate Hungary's diplomatic status. 

Ibrahim Traore Praises The Russian Federation (2023)

 

Ibrahim Traore praised the Russian Federation. in 2023. During a speech at the Russia-Africa Summit he recognized that Russia and Burkina Faso have a common struggle. The West continues to promote neocolonialism in various parts of the world. Russia found itself in the same situation with NATO expansion during the 2000s. Russians and Africans gave their lives to stop fascism in Europe during World War II. After the war, the Soviet Union provided aid to national liberation movements. This was helpful in the fight against white minority ruled regimes in Southern Africa. Traore mentions this history of collaboration, which explains why more African countries have a more favorable view of Russia. Burkina Faso at one time had a revolutionary socialist leader Thomas Sankara. Ibrahim Traore almost seems like a 2020s version of  the former leader of Burkina Faso. Traore's laudation of the Russian Federation makes sense when viewed in a wider historical context. Burkina Faso and Russia are being brought closer together due to the poor diplomatic relations with France. 

Mali and Rwanda Are Entering A Bilateral Diplomatic Relationship

 

Rwanda and Mali have signed a number of agreements.. President Paul Kagame is extending his influence to other parts of Africa. The Sahel and West Africa are becoming a priority. The agreements were related to health, investment, and agriculture. Prior to this, there were already agreements related to security. Mali has a reason to welcome the series of 19 agreements. When the military regime under Assimi Goita  took power there was threat of an ECOWAS invasion. General Assimi is circumventing that possibility by reaching out to other African countries. This puts the African Union in a difficult position. They would have trouble isolating a military regime that has the support of a longtime leader. All the Sahel  military regimes that came to power in the early 2020s have formed an alliance. The alliance was designed to stop an invasion similar to Gambia in 2017. President Paul Kagame realizes that many longtime leaders are being deposed. Gabon's coup was taken into consideration. If President Paul Kagame gets close to the new regimes it might insulate him from a similar fate. Simultaneously, it can be a way for Rwanda to get vengeance on France. The frustration comes from the fact that France supported the Juvenal Habyarimana regime, which persecuted the Tutsi population. This was the government that the Rwandan Patriotic Front was fighting. President Paul Kagame has accused France of having a role in the 1994 genocide. Now that France is being forced out the Sahel, Rwanda wants to replace it in Mali. The bilateral diplomatic relationship will continue to grow based on regional conditions. Assimi Goita and Paul Kagame are ensuring political survival in a rapidly changing Africa.   

Victoria Nuland Curses The European Union (2014)

 

Victoria Nuland one of America's prominent diplomats will be leaving her post. The circumstances are not clear, but it indicates that there is a problem with the direction of US foreign policy. Nuland worked under the Bush, Obama, and Biden administrations. Her goal was to get aggressive with the Russian Federation. The policy related to Ukraine was interference. Victoria Nuland back in 2014 cursed the European Union. The reason was that it was not following an anti-Russian policy. The United States under a neoconservative framework should have more influence in Europe. The European Union is viewed more like an obstacle to making the continent subordinate. Seeing as she was the US ambassador to NATO, Nuland wanted to see the military alliance expand. Ukraine was going to be a testing ground for further expansion. The phone call been the US ambassador and Nuland indicates an attempt to select Ukrainian leadership. Nuland is a reminder that no matter who is elected, the foreign policy mechanisms remain the same. Victoria Nuland leaves a legacy of destabilizing Eastern Europe.  

President Hage Geingob Challenges Norbert Lammert's Anti-Chinese Racism (2018)

 

President Hage Geingob (1941-2024) met with German politician Norbert Lammert in 2018. Lammert was the new chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The organization has been closely associated with the Christian Democratic Union. The organization is more of a consulting group and think tank. As their mission statement explains they want to promote freedom and liberty. What some observe is an attempt for the German conservative movement to impose their ideas on other nations. Norbert in the discussion claims that Germany is concerned about China's relations with Namibia. Sounding alarmed in a xenophobic manner he takes note of how their is a Chinese population in the country. Norbert Lammert is almost offended that it outnumbers the Germans in Namibia President Hage Geingob responded by saying Namibia is not under Chinese control and that it is " a European problem." President Hage Geingob also reiterates Namibia will not be lectured by a former colonizer. Germany refuses to pay compensation for the Herero genocide. Namibia fought a long war against occupation by Apartheid South Africa. Namibia would have remained under Germany's control if it had not lost World War I. China is the second largest economy in the world. It only makes sense that nations do business with it. President Hage Geingob also exposes that there is little equality when it comes to visas. Namibia is generous to Germans, but Germany is less welcoming of Namibians. Norbert Lammert revealed his anti-Chinese racism by assuming that China's motivations are for imperial intent. President Hage Geingob countered his prejudiced arguments on the basis of Namibia's national sovereignty.  

The Italy-Africa Summit

 

Italy is seeking further economic investment in the Africa continent. What Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni seeks to do is make Italy a gateway for energy transport. The obstacle to this is the issue of migration. Her government came to power on a platform that was anti-immigration and anti-migrant. The suspicion related to these talks is that Italy will benefit, while African nations will be exploited economically. Doing this will only cause more immigration. Italy also must consider bring people from other nations in the event of labor shortages. Italy along with EU officials have promised 5.5 billion  euros to enhance economic ties. A total of 45 African nations were represented at the summit. Meloni's Mattei plan seeks to make Italy a major player in the energy sector. The Russia-Ukraine War is a factor in this renew interest in energy deals with Africa. It would not be possible for Europe to completely get off Russian energy in just a few years. Prime Minister Meloni expressed that bolstering industry and agriculture in Africa could stop mass migration. This would encourage youth not to immigrate to Europe. The statements are to most African leaders empty promises. The Italy-Africa summit demonstrated that Europe needs Africa. The change in energy prices and geopolitical shifts reveal the EU reliance on the continent. What the African Union must do is attain an agreement that gives them the most benefit. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is not about the economic empowerment of Africa. The objective is to bolster the state energy company Eni, while simultaneously making Italy pivotal to natural gas.  Eni is more dependent on Algeria, Libya, and Egypt. Libya remains unstable, but Algeria and Egypt could wield enormous power over Italy. Energy should be used as a method to force European nations to change policies. Only then can AU nations get desirable economic agreements.  

Angola Leaves OPEC

 

Angola is set to leave OPEC. This is due to a dispute over oil production and the policies set for 2024. Angola does not want to cut production and wants to fulfill contracts as the reason for the exit from OPEC. How this could impact the global economy is unknown. Angola is one of the biggest oil exporters in Africa. The end of the 16 year membership will have an effect on Angola's economy. Other countries have left OPEC unable to come to a consensus. Oil prices have gone up due to the Russia-Ukraine War and Houti rebel attacks on ships in  the Red Sea. The intent of OPEC is to make a decision about how much crude oil should be sold on the world market. Angola wants to sell its oil without certain restrictions. The minister for mineral resources, gas, and petroleum Diamantino Azevedo expressed that being in OPEC did not advance Angola's interest. Angola did not meet its obligations of production quotas. Simultaneously, members might be getting frustrated with Saudi Arabian domination in the group. Angola has the potential to use it vast oil wealth for further development. This requires improvement to infrastructure and have oil traded in the Angolan Kwanza. The MPLA needs to get back to its democratic socialist ideology ensuring economic advancement for the majority of the population. Angola is a lower middle income country, but should have a higher GDP and GNP. Angola's diamonds, agricultural, and hydroelectric potential means it one day could be one of Africa's richest nations.  

Henry Kissinger Protested At Senate Armed Services Committee (2015)

 

Henry Kissinger served as national security advisor and secretary of state. Under both the Nixon and Ford administrations he was connected with war crimes. Kissinger's role in the atrocities in the Vietnam War involved promoting long term bombings. This effected both Laos and Cambodia. He was also instrumental in the coup in Chile and Indonesia's invasion of East Timor. What historians also forget to mention is Kissinger's determination to halt Angola's liberation war against white minority colonial rule. When Kissinger  was coming to provide testimony at the Armed Services Committee, he was protested by CODEPINK. The anti-war demonstrators proceeded to to remind the public of his human rights violations. When this happened in 2015 the US was at war with Afghanistan, arming terrorist organizations in Syria, and getting confrontational with China. The fact that Henry Kissinger was still deemed a respectful figure in American society demonstrates the amount of corruption in the American political system.  

Syria's Growing Diplomatic Relations With China

 

Syria and China are expanding their diplomatic relations. The motivation for Syria is to circumvent France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, US, and Qatar. These countries were aiding terrorist organizations and armed groups during the civil war. Seeking a stronger alliance is a means of deterring a possible NATO intervention. Syria is now back in the Arab League. This demonstrates that Syria was able to avoid being isolated in the West Asian region. Syria has not been isolated in the Global South. It will no longer have positive relations with the West considering the sanctions and attempts to overthrow the government. China could be a useful investor in a country that requires reconstruction. Bombings from Israel and the civil war has damaged infrastructure. China wants to have more extensive diplomatic relations with the Arab world. Then there is the concern about China's access to oil. Chinese firms could return to Syria, but the US occupation of certain areas and terrorist organizations are security concerns.  The Chinese energy firms Sinopec Corp, Sinochem, and CNPC were forced to leave. The civil war made it impossible to operate. The firms invested $3 billion in Syria between 2008 and 2009. President Xi Jingping appears to want to reverse a decade long absence of investment in Syria. President Assad was able to survive with Russian military assistance. Now Syria is getting economic aid. Now that Syria is a member of the Belt and Road Initiative  it could get greater access to the East Asian economy. 

Josep Borrell Refers To The Global South As A Jungle (2022)

 

Josep Borrell serves as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Borrell in 2022 stated that "Europe is a garden" then compared the rest of the world to a jungle. The analogy was a common racist trope. Borrell's statements were directed at Africa, Asia, and South America. The image that he presented was one of invading immigrant hordes destabilizing Europe. Many European politicians ignore why the Global South is in such a condition. The NATO invasion of Libya caused the migrant crisis. Venezuela is being targeted for regime change. Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria were invaded. The arms industry promotes conflict to increase profits. His statement also present a false image of Europe being a paradise. The UK and France are facing economic difficulties. Public discord, xenophobic nativist nationalism, and civil disturbance are more prevalent. Borrell represents what the political elite truly feel about Global South nations. The European Union's inability to foster batter diplomatic relations with African and Asian nations is rooted in attitudes such as Borrell's. Overtime Europe's racism and prejudice will isolate it from the world.  

Mexico Recognizes Palestine

 

Mexico is recognizing Palestine. Plans are being made to establish an embassy in Mexico City. Getting more recognition from other countries could help the challenges facing the Palestinians in Israel. The bombings of the Gaza Strip , refugees, and racism have made conditions for the Arab population unsuitable. The continued occupation in the West Bank represents an expansionist policy. Mexico's recognition could be a diplomatic shift in Latin America. The Mexican Senate passed the resolution for recognition in 2021, but it appears plans are moving forward to make it official. The reason Mexico has sympathy for the Palestinian state is due to history. Mexico lost land in the Mexican War (1846-1848) and people were displaced from that conflict. The imperial legacy of the Monroe Doctrine still haunts Latin America. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is taking a different approach to foreign policy. The direction is more oriented to the Global South. The right-wing governments of  South America tend to favor Israel at the expense of the Arabs. Guatemala was fast to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. When left-wing governments were in power, they were allies to Palestine's aspirations. Between the years of 2010 and 2011 Brazil, Argentina, Chile Bolivia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Cuba, including  Nicaragua recognized a Palestinian state. Israel will attempt to counter these developments, but Mexico could be part of a growing pro-Palestine  block. Much of the situation depends on what government is in power in Mexico.