John J. Metzler BENNINGTON, VT — It’s that time to consult the snow globe and try to peer ahead at some of the key stories, crises and opportunities which await the world as we prepare for a new year. Indeed 2013 has been marred by new levels of violence, humanitarian disasters, and a perceptible lack […]
Jeffrey T. Kuhner Who lost Ukraine? This is the question many Western policymakers are asking following recent dramatic events in the former Soviet republic. The country’s pro-Kremlin leader, President Viktor Yanukovych, is on the verge of permanently consigning Ukraine to Russia’s sphere of influence. This would be a major victory for Russian strongman Vladimir Putin […]
John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Situated geographically between two blocs, divided culturally and religiously between two civilizations, and now placed in the political conundrum of choosing between East and West, Ukraine is again object the competing interests. And amid the political/gravitational pull of the two sides are the swirling clouds of Ukraine’s tumultuous 20th […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com Ukraine abruptly called off the long anticipated comprehensive trade deal with the European Union on Nov. 21 for “National Security reasons.” Meanwhile, Kiev expressed its desire to resume an “active dialogue” with its former foe Russia, whose president Vladimir Putin has been vehemently opposed to Ukraine’s move toward […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By Miles Yu, Geostrategy-Direct.com Moscow and Kiev have finally agreed to a compromise energy deal ending a dispute that had locked the two former Soviet states into a decade-long diplomatic freeze. Like most western European nations Ukraine relies heavily on Russia’s export of natural gas for heat during winter months. However, Ukraine […]
Sol W. Sanders It’s early on but some new disturbing geopolitical trends are emerging or being emphasized from the Cyprus financial crisis that go far beyond continuing the very real threat to the Euro and the whole economic structure of the European Union. Offstage, it has exposed the growing deterioration of the Russian regime […]
Special to WorldTribune.com CAIRO — Libya has determined that nationals from former Soviet republics served as mercenaries for the late Col. Moammar Gadhafi. Officials said the National Transitional Council identified and arrested a range of Russian and other nationals as fighters for Gadhafi in the war in 2011. The officials said many of them operated […]