/ International

• Geopolitical Summary: Conflicts, Protests, Oil Exploration and Drug Trafficking

  Conflict Rages on in Ivory Coast as Ouattara Forces Prepare for Abidjan OffensiveTensions in Syria as Government Resigns Amid Ongoing ProtestsIs Russia’s North Caucasus Rebel Network Leader Doku Umarov Dead?Colombia: ANH Signs 60 Contracts to Boost Oil Exploration ActivitiesEcuador: “Operation Karpatos” Brings Down International Drug-Trafficking RingVenezuela: Chávez negotiating for long-term credit with China Conflict Rages on in Ivory Coast as Ouattara Forces Prepare for Abidjan Offensive The United Nations has evacuated its civilian staff from Ivory Coast as clashes between forces loyal to President Laurent Gbagbo and insurgents supporting Alassane Ouattara intensifying in the aftermath of November 2010 elections, for…

• The Fourth Global Wave of Democratization

  Until November 1989 a “Wall of Shame” separated Eastern and Western societies. The mere sight of its watchtowers and barbed wire were enough to make anyone’s blood run cold. Then a little over 20 years ago an unstoppable crowd tore it to pieces in just a few weeks. The Egyptians have just destroyed another type of ‘wall,’ that of fear and resignation. On every street corner the “Mukhabarat” (General Intelligence Service or “police state”) had put up a ‘wall’ which prevented many potential young protesters from rebelling and enjoying freedom of speech. On February 10, Hosni Mubarak missed his last…

• The Extraordinary Events in the Middle East and the Coming Global Tsunami

  The extraordinary events in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya are the initial high tides of an eventual tsunami that will impact the world that globalists have so fervently promoted for decades, in ways not necessarily to their liking. The first wave has struck and is now retreating from the shore, but will shortly return with redoubled force, and what and who will be swept away and what will be left standing is anyone’s guess. Per usual, America’s intelligence agencies on which $60 billion a year is lavished, or $200 for every man, woman and child in the U.S., have given zero…

• Weekly Geopolitical Summary: Russian Oil Firms to Start Exploring in Bosnia

  In this weeks issue: - Foreign Investment for Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh? - Russian, Serbian Oil Firms to Start Exploring in Northern Bosnia- Suicide Bomber Kills 31 at Pakistani Army Base in Punjab- A Step Forward for Indian Air Force Garud Special Ops  - Uzbekistan Hits Up Washington for More Military Transport Money- Two Security Officials Arrested Over Killings of Protesters in Albania ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Foreign Investment for Disputed Nagorno-Karabakh? Austrian, Czech and Slovak businessmen are apparently showing interest in investment opportunities in Azerbaijan’s Armenian-occupied breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, according to local news reports. A group of businessmen from the countries visited the Nagorno-Karabakh capital, Stepanakert, on 4 February…

• 2011: Transition to a New Global Order

  Three issues will dominate international relations in 2011: the United States’s relations with Europe, the emerging powers, and various countries of the global south; the ongoing international financial crisis (particularly acute in the north Atlantic area); and violence both along acute fracture-lines (such as the Pakistan-Afghanistan and Mexico-US borders) and within various states (such as Yemen and Somalia). The powers that commanded the international stage since the 1950s -  especially the United States, Britain, and France - no longer have the ability to lead (and in the case of the now defunct USSR, no longer exist). The WikiLeaks release of…

• What have we Learned from Julian Assange and Wikileaks

  Who would have ever thought that diplomatic cables would be so widely read?  Despite what some may have hoped, the cables don’t bring copious shame on the United States (unless you were already convinced of the country’s venality).  Indeed to many, the cables released by WikiLeaks sparkle with craftsmanship, optimism, wit, and intelligence.  At a time when war dominates international headlines, we often fail to remember the efforts of diplomats and so—for raising awareness, among other things—we should be thankful for the spotlight directed by Julian Assange and WikiLeaks at the often concealed labors of our diplomatic corps. As wise…

• The 21st Century: A New Golden Age for Pirates

  It may well be a great anachronism of modern times. Sea pirates had their golden age centuries ago. Yet, the first decade of the 21st century is the new golden age for the pirates. The profits are huge. The risks are comparatively much lower. The world is saddled with so many problems that piracy does not seem to figure prominently on the international community’s radar. And not to be forgotten is that lawless countries like Somalia provide safe havens to the pirates. The extent of piracy in the contemporary world can be gauged by the fact that an estimated 5.9…

• Geopolitical Forecasts for 2011

  In 2011 we find ourselves abruptly confronting many formerly hypothetical developments that will potentially reshape the global geopolitical map as we now know it.  The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, the rapid inflation of a slowing Chinese economy, and the birth of a new African state are all imminent possibilities.  Assessing the annual STRATFOR global intelligence forecast, these are some of the anticipated diplomatic issues of the New Year as foreseen by the Strategic Forecasting firm: Power Shifts SUDAN.  This month a referendum on Southern Sudanese independence is taking place that will result in the creation of the world’s…

• The Politics of Fear and Paranoia

  We live in a highly organized climate of fear. If security organizations depend upon fear and paranoia to sustain their existence, Wikileaks suggests using the same tools to hold them to account. Today, we live in a climate of fear. On 15 December, the US Department of Homeland Security and FBI issued an intelligence bulletin to state and local law enforcement agencies warning that terrorists could target mass gatherings at major metropolitan areas during the 2010 holiday season, although US officials said that is no specific and credible intelligence about planned terror attacks. In October, the US Department of State…

• France and Russia Challenging United States Interests Through Diplomacy

  France and Russia have recently undertaken extensive and exhaustive diplomatic efforts, but the impetus for their actions are profoundly different.  Russia’s plan is Euro-Centric while France has been courting India.  Developing non Euro-Centric economic partnerships is nothing new for France, in the post-colonial world; France continues to maintain strong international alliances.  Much as President Obama faces low approval ratings, so does French President Sarkozy.  The two leaders have approached these numbers in similar fashion, turning attention to international issues.  This has worked for Sarkozy in the past and appears to be working for him again, unlike Obama who continually is…