Of no consequence: UN General Assembly debates Ukraine war, moves on

Of no consequence: UN General Assembly debates Ukraine war, moves on

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, September 27, 2023 The arc of history passed through the UN last week as the global Assembly debated and deliberated on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Storm clouds from far off Eastern Europe descended over the delegations meeting in New York, who while largely and resolutely condemning the […]

UN Assembly opens amid widening wars and humanitarian crises

UN Assembly opens amid widening wars and humanitarian crises

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, September 17, 2023 Presidents, prime ministers, kings and potentates are converging on New York for the opening session of the United Nations General Assembly. The 78th annual Assembly of the world organization presents both a global gala and expanded Summit meeting to try to solve a myriad of […]

After Afghanistan: Global conflicts widen, endure and spread

After Afghanistan: Global conflicts widen, endure and spread

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, September 8, 2023 It’s been two years since the fall of Afghanistan. The tragic collapse of Kabul to the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban signaled the last sordid chapter in the Biden Administration’s appalling and shambolic “withdrawal” from America’s longest military commitment. But beyond the perceived American weakness and strategic […]

UN Security Council shines a light on Kim dynasty’s rights violations, long ignored by member nations

UN Security Council shines a light on Kim dynasty’s rights violations, long ignored by member nations

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, August 27, 2023 Most countries politely prefer to look the other way when it comes to confronting widespread reports of North Korean human rights violations. After all what can you do about what goes on in one of the world’s most closed and repressive communist regimes [headed by […]

Coup in geostrategic Niger confronts France — and U.S. — with Russia’s expanding footprint

Coup in geostrategic Niger confronts France — and U.S. — with Russia’s expanding footprint

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, August 13, 2023 PARIS — The recent military coup d’etat in Niger, a vast and arid land on the southern tier of the Sahara, underscores the widening political crisis in Africa’s Sahel region, where instability, dire poverty and Islamic jihadi terrorism, have stalked the land. Thus, when Gen. […]

Paris Olympics countdown begins with expected complications, security and rights concerns

Paris Olympics countdown begins with expected complications, security and rights concerns

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, August 7, 2023 PARIS — The one-year countdown for the opening of the Paris Summer Olympics has begun. The return of the Olympics to France is largely met with eager anticipation for this international sporting extravaganza, but is equally tempered by the usual security concerns, political controversies, and […]

Global abuse: China wields outsized influence at the shamefully-subservient UN

Global abuse: China wields outsized influence at the shamefully-subservient UN

Special to WorldTribune, August 1, 2023 Commentary by Laurence F Sanford China has undue influence on UN agencies despite being only the sixth-largest contributor to the UN’s overall budget. Total UN Contributions 2021: U.S                $12.5 billion Germany       $6.1  “ Sweden         $2.8  “ Japan            $2.7  “ U.K.               $2.0  “ China            $2.0  “ Much ado […]

North Korea conducts 20th missile launch this year on eve of 70th anniversary of truce

North Korea conducts 20th missile launch this year on eve of 70th anniversary of truce

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, July 18, 2023 North Korea’s unannounced launch of another ballistic missile has nearly become a ho-hum event given the rash but predictable actions of Pyongyang’s rulers. After all we have seen this bellicose stunt many times before and thus have become dangerously numb and nearly indifferent to its […]

U.S. under Team Biden rejoins UNESCO; Pay at the door

U.S. under Team Biden rejoins UNESCO; Pay at the door

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, July 9, 2023 UNESCO is one of those United Nations agencies that most people feel pretty comfortable with. The group’s designated World Heritage Sites form a growing global roster of iconic natural, cultural and historic locations ranging from the Grand Canyon and Independence Hall in the USA to […]

Warming India-U.S. ties and ‘Quad’ emerge as ‘force for good’ vs China in the Indo-Pacific

Warming India-U.S. ties and ‘Quad’ emerge as ‘force for good’ vs China in the Indo-Pacific

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, June 30, 2023 The State Visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Washington illustrated both style and substance of the evolving relationship between the world’s two largest democracies. President Joe Biden described the India/American relationship as, “A partnership that is among the most consequential in the world, […]