International

Forget Trump: ‘Everybody loves the sunshine’
A wee tribute to American musician Roy Ayers who blows the dark Trumpian clouds away with one song…

Why Israel won’t stick to any ceasefire in Gaza/Iran brokered by Trump
“..a core issue for Netanyahu is that his three war aims simply have not been achieved; the theocratic Iranian regime has not collapsed, its nuclear programme can readily be resurrected, and Hamas has survived. All…

Make Europe Great Again
Ultra-conservative central European thinkers among others are joining forces with MAGA protagonists to work for the break-up of the EU as we know it

What are Labour governments for? The aid issue
“Leading where others follow, Trump has cut US foreign aid. By 83%. It is hard, in the new age of transactional, personalistic, international relations, to discern much a future for development spending. The end of the…

Irish neutrality comes under question
The Dáil’s failure to establish committees for government scrutiny is alarming amid shifting international relations. The discourse includes critiques on Irish neutrality, urging a reevaluation of policies that hinder military involvement. As geopolitical dynamics evolve,…

Trump’s negotiation tactics: a business mindset in a diplomatic world
The confrontation between U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy illustrates the risks of prioritizing immediate national interests over foundational principles in international diplomacy. This transactional approach threatens sovereignty and democratic values, undermining trust and…

Why populists are winning: broken promises of liberal democracy
The article discusses the rise of extreme right populism in Europe, highlighting how dissatisfaction with democracy drives voters towards populist alternatives. It critiques both technocratic and liberal populist responses as ineffective, emphasizing the need for…

We’re allowing the Far Right to set the pace
The rise of remigration rhetoric in Europe, notably from figures like Alice Weidel, echoes past atrocities, while mainstream political discourse adopts increasingly extremist views. A surge in racism and antisemitism is reported, reflecting broader societal…

This is serious: Trump wants Greenland and Panama
Donald Trump’s recent remarks about reclaiming U.S. territories reflect a misguided approach reminiscent of neoconservative ambition post-9/11. The Project for a New American Century aimed for U.S. global dominance but ultimately failed, leading to devastating…

Hope and powerlessness: the world in new year 2025
The new year presents challenges amid global conflicts and power struggles, highlighting a deep sense of hopelessness. Yet, meaningful hope exists through activism and accountability in political leadership, as demonstrated by brave movements and public…

How does Assad’s removal alter the Middle East’s geopolitics?
Following the Assad regime’s collapse in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is asserting control in Damascus, aiming for interim governance. Despite optimism for stability, concerns about HTS’s intentions persist. Meanwhile, foreign influences shift, with Turkey,…

An alarming Alternative for Germany
“There is renewed talk, too, of “Ossifikation” or reasserting a specific east German identity rather than adopting a pan-German One after 34 years of unification. All of these factors but, most notably, xenophobia – the…
