Overshadowed by Ukraine’s war, Syria’s tragedy remains greatest humanitarian crisis

Overshadowed by Ukraine’s war, Syria’s tragedy remains greatest humanitarian crisis

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler Our world is beset by unthinkable tragedy; brash military aggression, widening instability and grinding humanitarian suffering. We know the places ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, yet governments and relief agencies face overwhelming crisis fatigue as we lurch from Kabul to Kyiv in less than six months.  Cause, effect, […]

Moment of truth for the UN Security Council: Could the 21st century see WWIII?

Moment of truth for the UN Security Council: Could the 21st century see WWIII?

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler Many people ask, “What’s the UN been doing to stop the Ukraine war?” That’s a fair question given that the conflict has been raging more than two months creating Europe’s most costly  conflict and humanitarian crisis since WWII. So where is the UN or more specifically Secretary General […]

Russia again rebuked by UN, NATO; Ukraine faces ‘Syria scenario’

Russia again rebuked by UN, NATO; Ukraine faces ‘Syria scenario’

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler The second salvo of diplomatic condemnation slammed into Russia as the UN General Assembly once again soundly and overwhelmingly condemned Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. The first Assembly vote came a few weeks ago condemning the Russian invasion; the second rebuke focused on the humanitarian catastrophe caused by Vladimir […]

Biden’s end game: Afghanistan’s Saigon scenario triggered by ‘appalling incompetence’

Biden’s end game: Afghanistan’s Saigon scenario triggered by ‘appalling incompetence’

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler PARIS — Sadly, we have seen this movie before. In the Spring of 1975, the collapse of South Vietnam coming to crescendo with the fall of Saigon indelibly marking a generation. Cities like Pleiku, Danang and Hue in this contemporary saga are Kunduz, Kandahar and Herat.  Now with […]

Global economy facing dangerous shocks from the coronavirus

Global economy facing dangerous shocks from the coronavirus

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler After years of consistent economic expansion and growth throughout much of the world, the global economy is facing tectonic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic. For developed states such as the United States and Western Europe, the “unseen enemy” of the virus has shattered economic forecasts and international commerce; […]

50 years later: Does anyone remember the Czechoslovak crackdown in 1968?

50 years later: Does anyone remember the Czechoslovak crackdown in 1968?

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — The light mist on the Danube river and the morning radiance on the honey-hued buildings of the Comenius University greet each summer day with the optimism of a fresh beginning. Yet this is August and the memories of the past still dart among shadows and […]

Hungary only nation in West to formally act on behalf of endangered Mideast Christians

Hungary only nation in West to formally act on behalf of endangered Mideast Christians

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — One of the silent tragedies among the conflicts raging in the Middle East, concerns the fate of the ancient and now persecuted Christian communities. Concerns for the forgotten and once vibrant Christian minorities especially in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon are often politely air brushed out […]

‘Decorum’ at UN wrecked by ‘provocative’ N. Korean tests, Trump’s ‘substance’

‘Decorum’ at UN wrecked by ‘provocative’ N. Korean tests, Trump’s ‘substance’

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Truth has become stranger than fiction even here at the United Nations where the recently concluded annual debate of world leaders was both clouded by threats of conflict in Korea and to a backdrop of natural calamities from Caribbean hurricanes to earthquakes. Clearly a week […]

New UN Chief calls for new priority: Conflict prevention

New UN Chief calls for new priority: Conflict prevention

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS— Calling for a major reappraisal of how the international community responds to a widening series of conflicts, and challenging policymakers to take a courageous look at a new template to maintain global peace and security, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, made a bold and far reaching […]

65 million migrants worldwide are among issues facing new UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

65 million migrants worldwide are among issues facing new UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — While Washington awaits the inauguration of a new U.S. president on Jan. 20, the United Nations has quietly passed its baton of leadership to a new Secretary-General from Portugal. Addressing the General Assembly in the midst of the current global chaos, Antonio Guterres warned candidly, […]