Beijing lied, Hong Kong died: Brash beacon of freedom subdued by communist China

Beijing lied, Hong Kong died: Brash beacon of freedom subdued by communist China

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, March 28, 2024 There was no hint of dissent in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council as its 88 members passed Article 23, a piece of draconian domestic Security legislation which “complements” Beijing’s own 2020 Security stamp on the Special Administrative Region. Instead, the local lawmakers, led by Chief Executive […]

Haiti’s ticking humanitarian time bomb: Can Florida trust Team Biden?

Haiti’s ticking humanitarian time bomb: Can Florida trust Team Biden?

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, March 21, 2024 As waves of gang violence engulf an already poor and destitute land through a reckless orgy of   shootings and looting, the Caribbean island of Haiti equally faces a widening domestic humanitarian crisis along with a ticking migrant exodus, much of which could easily spillover into […]

Iran’s youth have ‘tuned out’ regime; UN investigation condemns killing of student Mahsa Amini

Iran’s youth have ‘tuned out’ regime; UN investigation condemns killing of student Mahsa Amini

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, March 13, 2024 Iran’s regime has been firmly condemned by a UN fact-finding mission investigating the unprovoked killing of Masha Amina two years ago, in a incident which set off nationwide protests. Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old student, according to a UN fact-finding mission, died in police custody after […]

Ukrainian storm front threatens comfort zone of Western Europe

Ukrainian storm front threatens comfort zone of Western Europe

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, March 5, 2024 LONDON — A stormy geopolitical weather front is converging on Western Europe as the Ukrainian war in the East has entered its third year with no end in sight. Though the conflict remains largely frozen in military stalemate, its political reverberations throughout Europe, not to […]

Meanwhile at the UN: Staunch rhetorical support for Ukraine sovereignty

Meanwhile at the UN: Staunch rhetorical support for Ukraine sovereignty

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, February 27, 2024 In a powerful vote of confidence for Ukraine’s sovereignty and continuing independence, both the UN Security Council and General Assembly met to show political strong support for the embattled country, two years after the 2022 Russian invasion. Speaking before the Security Council, UN Secretary General […]

In nuclear-armed Pakistan, its ISI ‘Deep State’ rules; Actual winner of disputed election sits in jail

In nuclear-armed Pakistan, its ISI ‘Deep State’ rules; Actual winner of disputed election sits in jail

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, February 18, 2024 Pakistan is politically on the brink again in the aftermath of fractious and inconclusive national parliamentary elections which ended with a wavering question mark hanging over this land of 241 million people like a political Damocles sword. Two former prime ministers, both of whom are […]

Mideast payback, peril and U.S. 2024 presidential politics

Mideast payback, peril and U.S. 2024 presidential politics

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, February 12, 2024 The attack on Tower 22 was a accident waiting to happen. And it did. But then following the deadly drone assault on this exposed U.S. base in Jordan killing three soldiers, the clock started ticking. Unleashing massive American retaliatory airstrikes responding to the Iranian militia […]

Unreported: Moscow fills vacuum of power in Sub-Saharan Africa as France fades from scene

Unreported: Moscow fills vacuum of power in Sub-Saharan Africa as France fades from scene

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, February 6, 2024 While the wars in Ukraine, Gaza/Israel, and the Red Sea have grabbed the headlines, there’s a dangerously developing security situation throughout large parts of the African continent. The systemic chaos which has befallen a string of countries in the Sub-Saharan Sahel region has gone largely […]

World economy facing ‘fragile resilience,’ UN report warns

World economy facing ‘fragile resilience,’ UN report warns

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, January 28, 2024 While the world economy performed better than expected during 2023, tough times loom in the upcoming year. That’s according to the UN’s annual report “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024.” Wider risks and uncertainties are predicted; “Global GDP growth is projected to slow from an […]

Taiwan’s election reaffirms island’s distinct identity and dynamic democracy

Taiwan’s election reaffirms island’s distinct identity and dynamic democracy

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, January 18, 2024 Taiwan held free presidential elections and communist China glared. Indeed, Taiwan’s elections choose the path of continuity as voters re-elected the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for a third consecutive term to rule the self-governing island. The victory of William Lai, scored a win for […]