Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler The second salvo of diplomatic condemnation slammed into Russia as the UN General Assembly once again soundly and overwhelmingly condemned Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. The first Assembly vote came a few weeks ago condemning the Russian invasion; the second rebuke focused on the humanitarian catastrophe caused by Vladimir […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler We knew it was coming. We planned for it. But then we calmly dozed off again. The rude jolt of the alarm followed the news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Our second thought followed; What about our energy supplies? Western Europe, including our NATO allies, have become dangerously […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a rising tsunami of refugees fleeing their beleaguered homeland and heading for neighboring Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. As the winds of war sweep across the Ukrainian steppe, this growing humanitarian wave of civilians, young and old with legions of children among them, […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler Russia has suffered a stunning political setback from the United Nations as Vladimir Putin pursues his ruthless attack against Ukraine. The diplomatic rebuff came amid Moscow’s widening military aggression on Ukraine which has created widespread civilian casualties and triggered a tragic refugee exodus from the East European country. […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler Vladimir Putin has rolled the dice. And now he has moved militarily on Ukraine. Significantly, shortly after the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, Putin began his dismemberment of Ukraine in the Donbas then Crimea. Washington watched but did little. It appears that the Russian despot is following the same […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler For nearly a decade now, China’s “Belt and Road” commercial infrastructure initiative (BRI) has been expanding globally. Usually, and most notably, countries which sign up are poor or unduly dependent on Beijing’s largesse and bulging coffers. Places like Burma, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have willingly joined the […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler The ongoing Beijing Winter Olympics have averted our attention from a possible geopolitical clash of titans. As the Games progress under a mantle of Covid restrictions, controversy over China’s domestic political repression, and yes, the adrenaline thrill of a global sporting event, military forces are gathering in both […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler In a truly bizarre twist of international diplomacy which would have baffled even the denizens of Monty Python, the Islamic Republic of Iran whose UN membership dues were in arrears and thus barring the country’s General Assembly voting rights, was figuratively bailed out by an unlikely source, a […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler Russian tanks and mechanized infantry are churning dangerously close to Ukraine’s borders. Politicians are in overdrive trying to find new adjectives and soundbites to describe the combustible situation. Diplomats throughout Europe and the USA are trying to stop the clock on what’s presumed to be Russian President Vladimir […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler The global economy is hardly out of the woods yet. The resurgent Corona virus pandemic, coupled with labor shortages and an inflationary surge not seen in a generation, have served as an undertow to wider and sustainable economic growth. “The world is now two years into the COVID-19 […]
