Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler What would happen if an alien force invaded the world? This was the hypothesis of many sci-fi films over the years in which warring countries and governments would somehow, suddenly, and urgently join together to fight the greater threat. War of the Worlds, (1953) based on the H.G. […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler NEW YORK — It’s almost become a sad cliche to say that America is shutting down over the Coronavirus pandemic. Uncertainty and fear stalk the land, but the enemy remains invisible. The growing global effects of COVID-19 from China to Western Europe, and now North America, ominously looms […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Truth is often stranger than fiction. If somebody suggested a thriller novel plot set to the backdrop of gyrating stock markets, falling oil prices, rising tensions with Iran, amidst a spreading worldwide health pandemic, all juxtaposed to a contentious American Presidential election, most literary agents […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler GENEVA — In recent decades China has emerged as the factory to the world; a key player in production networks for automobiles, smartphones, computers, textiles and medical equipment. Indeed, as the world’s second largest economy Mainland China has become an indispensable part of globalization’s network combining low wage […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — The imagery and optics presented a publicist’s dream; an American president being feted by a cast of millions on foreign soil with exotic backdrops ranging from the enchanting Taj Mahal to a rousing Namaste Trump rally at the Motera Cricket stadium with 110,000 cheering onlookers […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Are the two sides of the Atlantic drifting apart? Do the political and security ties forged during the dark years of the Cold War still hold firm? Is the Atlantic Alliance which preserved Europe’s freedom and allowed for its prosperity, now simply a historical footnote? […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — The so-called Islamic State, the Caliphate which at its height controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq has been destroyed by focused and lethal military strikes by the United States and its allies. Yet in effect, the shattered group has now splintered and spread to […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler NEW YORK — In a stunningly positive speech before Congress, President Donald Trump delivered the annual State of the Union address to a deeply divided nation. While the president outlined a long upbeat list of economic achievements and trade deals, amounting to what was called a “Blue Collar […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Amid deepening political and economic ties between Burma and China, the Southeast Asian state is being fully integrated into Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, emerging as a transportation hub and military asset. Yet at the same time, while Beijing’s leader Xi Jinping made a high […]
Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — East Asian countries continue to be global leaders in economic growth despite ongoing trade tensions between the USA and China. Nonetheless, even among those dynamic Asian states, growth has tempered from 5.7 percent in 2018 to 5.2 percent in 2019 amid an international downshift. The […]