The Chatham House meeting highlighted Ukraine’s perilous situation amidst military pressure from Russia, energy crises, and a political corruption scandal involving $100 million in kickbacks. The persistence of crony capitalism undermines trust and impacts EU relations. Reforming governance and law enforcement is critical for rebuilding post-war Ukraine and addressing systemic corruption.
The Chatham House event, led by Dr. Renad Mansour, highlighted challenges in Iraq’s upcoming elections, including sectarian politics and government formation. The presidency is expected to be awarded to a Kurdish party, but significant obstacles remain, including political fragmentation and public disillusionment, as citizens seek improved governance and basic services.
View More Chatham House: Iraq’s 2025 Elections: What comes next?
Asaad al-Shaibani, Syria’s foreign minister, outlines post-civil war plans to rebuild international relations and internal governance. The new regime aims for inclusivity, economic investment, and transitional justice while addressing community trust. He emphasizes a pragmatic approach towards rebuilding, focusing on diplomatic ties, especially with the UK and Turkey, amidst regional challenges.
View More Chatham House: A foreign policy for the new Syria
Chatham House is an esteemed think tank where I engage in discussions on international issues, particularly on Venezuela. Today’s meeting covers U.S. policies and Trump’s view on Venezuelan narcotrafficking, which many believe lacks foundation. The session explores regional influences, Cuba’s potential role, and the broader implications for U.S.-Latin America relations.
View More Chatham House: Member’s Question Time: Is the US pushing regime change in Venezuela? Why now?
On May 28th 2023, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was giving a victory speech to the excited Turkish masses, who had democratically elected him to a third term as President of Turkey. He achieved 52.2% of the vote in the second round of elections compared with the 47.8% of the challenger, Kemal…
View More Erdoğan’s Third Term as President of Turkey and What It Means
Henry Kissinger, a prominent figure in U.S. foreign policy, celebrated his 100th birthday on May 27, 2023. Known for his role as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, he is credited with pivotal moments like U.S.-China relations renewal and criticized for human rights issues in Latin America. His insights remain relevant in contemporary geopolitics.
View More Happy 100th Birthday Henry Kissinger
I think everyone that has ever heard of Boris Johnson associates him with lies. Oborne, who is an established veteran political journalist, in this relatively brief text, exposes the extent of the former Conservative Prime Minister’s almost total aversion to the truth. He reckons Johnson has told over thousands of…
View More Review: The Assault On Truth – Boris Johnson and the Emergence of a New Moral Barbarism – by Peter Oborne
There is irony in this tale as Bill Browder was following in his grandfather’s footsteps in some ways but was also radically poles apart. Browder’s grandfather had stood for Presidential election in the USA on a Communist ticket. Bill Browder was drawn to business possibilities behind the Iron Curtain and…
View More Review: Red Notice – How I Became Putin’s No.1 Enemy – by Bill Browder
The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future by Victor Cha My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book gives a unique perspective on North Korea as it is written by a man who held a senior position in the White House as an advisor to the President on East…
View More Review: The Impossible State: North Korea, Past and Future – by Victor Cha