Category: Geopolitics

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Geopolitics Syria Crisis

Recruiting Kids For War, Aleppo’s “Unspeakable Horror”

Aleppo's Abdul Razzaq Military Academy
Aleppo's Abdul Razzaq Military Academy Ahmad Alawadhu screenshots

ALEPPO — With Syria’s civil war now its fifth year and showing no sign of ending, virtually all sides have been recruiting and training children to kill. Situated in the opposition-controlled outskirts of Aleppo, the Abdul Razzaq Military Academy is one of the most organized programs for preparing youngsters for the battlefield. Established by Sergeant Abdul Razzaq, a Syrian army defector, the academy’s instructors train some 150 children from surrounding areas on the grounds of an abandoned school in the village of Ehtemlat for two hours a day. Other than saying that the academy is “the achievement of his lifetime,” […]

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Geopolitics Ideas

Why A Detested Dilma Will Survive Brazilian Anger

Why A Detested Dilma Will Survive Brazilian Anger
Xu Zijian/Xinhua/ZUMA

Faced with an economic downturn and corruption among state officials, the middle class is venting its fury at Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. But that may not be enough to oust her.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Why Israelis Are Tired Of Bankrolling Military Might

IDF soldiers

-OpEd- TEL AVIV — The reactions to last week’s Locker Commission report that calls for massive cuts to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) budget is perhaps the best proof to date that the Israeli people don’t understand the mechanisms that keep them safe. The report recommends keeping the defense budget at $15.4 billion for the […]

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Geopolitics Society

The Death Of Freedom In My Corrupt Mexico

At a Mexico City rally in honor of slain news photographer Ruben Espinosa on Aug. 8
At a Mexico City rally in honor of slain news photographer Ruben Espinosa on Aug. 8 Yadin Xolalpo/JMA/ZUMA

A Mexican journalist’s corruption investigations led to death threats and persecution against her. She has been forced to flee her country, but many of her colleagues were murdered before they could do the same.

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Future Geopolitics

The Pitfalls And Pioneers Of Transhumanism

A microchip ready to be implanted
A microchip ready to be implanted Dangerous Things

Remember Gattaca? The superb film describes the contrasting fates of two brothers, one of whom was genetically optimized at birth. A few years later, in another movie, The Island, a community of prisoners discovers one day they are nothing but clones of super-privileged people and that their sole purpose is to provide fresh organs as […]

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Geopolitics

India: 5 Stories Making Headlines At Home

India: 5 Stories Making Headlines At Home

This week, we shine the spotlight on India: P FOR PICHAI Google’s surprise announcement that it was restructuring its businesses under a new parent company called Alphabet was a significant boost to India’s national pride, with much of the media coverage focused on Google’s new CEO, Indian-born Sundar Pichai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick […]

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Geopolitics

Five Takes On Female Cops Fighting Harassment On Cairo’s Streets

Egyptian Policewomen stand guard during a rally in Cairo
Egyptian Policewomen stand guard during a rally in Cairo Amr Sayed/APA Images/ZUMA

Videos and pictures showing female police officers violently reprimanding alleged harassers over the Eid holiday weekend in Egypt drew both praise and scorn.

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Geopolitics Syria Crisis

In Syria, Life In Harmony With War

A man cleans blood from the site of an explosion in Damascus on Aug. 12
A man cleans blood from the site of an explosion in Damascus on Aug. 12 Zhang Naijie/Xinhua/ZUMA

A Turkish journalist travels with an Alawite fixer to Damascus to understand what life is like in the Syrian capital as war in the country rages. Life goes on, but it’s not all grim.

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Geopolitics

Greece, Iran And The Formula For Successful Negotiation

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif after a meeting on Iran's nuclear program
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif after a meeting on Iran's nuclear program State Department/ZUMA

With the recent Iran and Greece agreements, diplomacy has regained its prior glory. Three former diplomats say negotiation is all about balancing tenacity and flexibility.

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Geopolitics Migrant Lives

Macedonia, The New Nightmare For Migrants

In Kumanovo, Macedonia
In Kumanovo, Macedonia Amir Ameti via Instagram

Thousands of asylum seekers are passing through the small Balkan nation on their way to the European Union, but the short journey is far more arduous than it seems.

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Geopolitics

Who Benefits From PKK-Turkey Clash? Assad And Iran

In Istanbul, anti-government protests after deadly clashes between the military and Kurdish and left-wing activists.
In Istanbul, anti-government protests after deadly clashes between the military and Kurdish and left-wing activists. Depo Photos/Depo Photos/ZUMA

ISTANBUL — The end of the ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK (The Kurdistan Worker’s Party) is a development that will undermine both sides’ bigger plans in the region. The Turkish government may be hoping to gain the nationalist vote and weaken the legal pro-Kurdish party (The People’s Democratic Party or HDP) by going after […]

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Geopolitics

The Aborted European Escape Of The Yazidis

Yazidi refugees being evacuated from Mount Sinjar
Yazidi refugees being evacuated from Mount Sinjar Matt Cetti-Roberts/ZUMA

The ordeal of the Yazidis ethnic minority began one year ago, escaping an impending ISIS massacre in northern Iraq. Tens of thousands fled to Turkey. But what happened next?

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Economy Geopolitics

Factchecking Egypt’s Grand Claims On New Suez Canal

Dredging the extension of the Suez Canal.
Dredging the extension of the Suez Canal. Pan Chaoyue/Xinhua via ZUMA

CAIRO — Egypt has been bombarded with a constant stream of messages this week about the miracles the New Suez Canal will bring. Not all of the claims hold up to scrutiny. Claim: The new extension will allow two-way traffic along the canal. Reality: This is sort of true — 60% true, to be more […]

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blog Geopolitics

Russia Crackdown On Banned Western Goods Hits Stores

At a supermarket in Moscow
At a supermarket in Moscow Dai Tianfang/Xinhua

MOSCOW — A new crackdown has begun on food illegally imported from Western countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia. But rather than just targeting goods brought in across the border, Russian officials now have the go-ahead to raid shops, warehouses and grocery chains throughout the country. Although most prohibited goods are stopped at the […]

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Geopolitics Society

Rio Olympics, Something Stinks As One-Year Sprint Begins

Construction site of the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Rio de Janeiro on July 21
Construction site of the Olympic and Paralympic Village in Rio de Janeiro on July 21 Xu Zijian/Xinhua/ZUMA

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games start next Aug. 5 in Rio de Janeiro with too many projects behind schedule. One particular environmental hurdle looks insurmountable.

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Geopolitics

Reed Brody, My Life As A Despot Hunter

Reed Brody in front of a portrait of Hissene Habre
Reed Brody in front of a portrait of Hissene Habre Rama/Reed Brody Facebook page/Worldcrunch collage

For the past 30 years, the American lawyer has been hunting down former despots all over the world. The trial of the former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré, which opened last month, is the latest fruit of his work.

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blog Geopolitics

Turkey Forced To Finally See ISIS Reality Through U.S. Eyes

A Turkish army investigator looks over the Syrian border last October.
A Turkish army investigator looks over the Syrian border last October. Ahmet Ozturk/Xinhua/ZUMA

After last month’s border attack, some hard Syrian lessons for Ankara, which has finally opened a key air base for attacks against ISIS positions.

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Geopolitics Society Syria Crisis

In Syria, When Rebels Become Regime

Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters marching through the streets of Idlib
Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters marching through the streets of Idlib Nasser Nouri/Xinhua/ZUMA

Locals in the Syrian city of Idlib were happy when rebel forces overturned regime forces. But now the rebels are enforcing their own version of military rule.

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Geopolitics

Africa As Investor Goldmine – Why This Time It’s For Real

Ecobank in Abidjan, one of Africa's many entrepreneurial successes
Ecobank in Abidjan, one of Africa's many entrepreneurial successes Ding Haitao/Xinhua/ZUMA

-OpEd- PARIS — As Europe barely recovers from an unprecedented crisis, the African continent is experiencing a vigorous period of growth. This long-awaited shift is slowly but steadily making investors more confident, even if they remain aware of the risks. According to a recent study conducted by Havas Horizon, investors are showing broad optimism concerning […]

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Geopolitics Society

In Indonesia, Urbanization vs. Religious Harmony

Inside the Pan Kho Buddhist Temple in Bogor, Indonesia
Inside the Pan Kho Buddhist Temple in Bogor, Indonesia pgb_bangauputih

BOGOR — The oldest Buddhist temple in Bogor, West Java, is a silent witness to religious tolerance in the area. Five men gather inside the temple, whose doors are always open for people from different religions to come inside and pray. Sitting behind statues of a Buddhist goddess, the men engage in their weekly communal Koran study group. After the evening prayer, they move to the temple’s kitchen to enjoy tonight’s dinner. “We’ve been doing this for three years now, every Thursday night. It’s a routine,” says Epul Saefullah, who leads this evening’s Koran reading. “At first people asked, “But […]

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Geopolitics Ideas

How Much Weight Do The BRICS Really Have?

Bricks for new walls?
Bricks for new walls? Bionicteaching

-OpEd- PARIS — The late 1990s anti-globalization movement that protested against summits like the World Trade Organization in Seattle and G8 in Genoa used the slogan: “Another world is possible.” Is this “other world” now being constructed before our eyes by the BRICS, as the emerging countries of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa […]

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Economy Geopolitics Society

Chile: 5 Stories Making Headlines At Home

Chile: 5 Stories Making Headlines At Home

This week we shine the spotlight on Chile: PACT OF SILENCE Testimony provided by a former army conscript has turned national attention to a nearly three-decade-old human rights case and prompted Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to demand an end to the shroud of secrecy that has covered this and other crimes committed during the 17-year […]

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Geopolitics Ideas

Iran Deal Or Not, World Nuclear Threat Is Worse Than Ever

Screenshot of the War Room in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove
Screenshot of the War Room in Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove Columbia Pictures

The treaty signed with Iran won’t eliminate the risk of global proliferation. Russia, China and North Korea in particular are building arsenals and see destabilization as strategy.

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Geopolitics Society

Meet Neelam, The ‘Next Malala’ Working For Peace

Neelam Ibrar Chattan speaking at an International Women's Day event
Neelam Ibrar Chattan speaking at an International Women's Day event Facebook page

MINGORA — Neelam Ibrar Chattan makes breakfast for her mother and younger brother, serving them and rushing out the door without eating anything. As the young woman leaves, her mother Mariam Bibi recites Koranic versus in the hope of protecting her. Her husband died of heart attack about 12 years ago. “I encouraged Neelam because it was her father’s dream to be a social worker,” Bibi says. “I want my daughter to play her role for the people of the area and also fulfill the dream of her father. I know people don’t like her going out of the house […]

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Geopolitics

Congolese Crossroads: Between Cannibalism, Jihad And Hope For Progress

A member of the UN's MONUSCO mission near Beni in March 2014
A member of the UN's MONUSCO mission near Beni in March 2014 MONUSCO/Sylvain Liechti

GOMA — “They realized he wasn’t one of them because he didn’t speak Swahili. Then they pulled him off the bus he was traveling on, stoned him to death, opened his chest and ate his heart.” Hearing this story from a high-ranking United Nations official, one immediately asks if this is just a legend of […]

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Geopolitics

Egyptian Terror: Fear And Loathing Across The Sinai

Keeping watch in the Sinai near the Rafah crossing
Keeping watch in the Sinai near the Rafah crossing Abed Rahim Khatib/APA Images/ZUMA

The Egyptian regime and Islamic militants kill civilians every day. If they are killed by the militants, then they are victims of terrorism, and if they are killed by the military, they become terrorists.

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Geopolitics Ideas

Modern Islam And The Disease Within

Inside a mosque in Dhaka on July 28
Inside a mosque in Dhaka on July 28 Shariful Islam/Xinhua/ZUMA

Even a country like Turkey can’t find its way into the modern era. What remains is a negative, aggressive “discount Islam” that creates problems around the world

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Geopolitics Society

Why Syriza Leftists Play Nice With Greek Orthodox Church

Archibishop of Greece Ieronymos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens in February
Archibishop of Greece Ieronymos and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in Athens in February George Panagakis/Pacific Press/ZUMA

The Church is hugely wealthy and exempt from almost all taxes. But its charitable works are crucial in Greece, ravaged by financial crisis and an inept public sector.

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Geopolitics Society

Concrete Jungles: The Surprisingly Rich Biodiversity Of Big Cities

Monkey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Monkey in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Bertrand Hauger

Vast urban areas are home to much more animal and plant life than you might think, making their natural spaces crucial in the fight against global warming.

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Geopolitics

Syrian Refugees Are Also Victims Of European Politics

Migrants arriving in Palermo, Italy, after a rescue mission
Migrants arriving in Palermo, Italy, after a rescue mission Antonio Melita/Pacific Press/ZUMA

The European Union’s failure to provide desperate asylum seekers with legal routes leaves them with no option but to risk their lives on smugglers’ boats.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics

Poisons In Paradise: Hawaiians Take On Agrochemical Giants

Hawaiians protesting GMOs.
Hawaiians protesting GMOs. GMO Free Hawaii

WAIMEA — Everyday, Klayton Kubo, 49, does the same pilgrimage across his village of Waimea, on Kauai, an island in the Hawaiian archipelago. He takes the road along the river, parks his pickup on the roadside and climbs up the hill overlooking the agrochemicals factory. He stands there and observes. On the other side of […]

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Geopolitics Society

“Gay Lobby” Accusations Inside Russian Orthodox Church

Ulyanovsk metropolitan Bishop Anastasius
Ulyanovsk metropolitan Bishop Anastasius Kokurin Anton via Instagram

Two priests have recently accused a secret and vindictive “gay lobby” of undermining the Church, from the inside.

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Geopolitics

Best Hope To Save The Earth? Separate Humans From Nature

Who owns this land?
Who owns this land? Mendhak

Protecting the environment is not about “reconciling” man and nature, it’s about giving each their due space. In large part, this means concentrating people in cities.

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Economy Geopolitics

Russia May Hold The Key To Iranian Oil Reaching The West

An Iranian woman walks at the South Pars gas field.
An Iranian woman walks at the South Pars gas field. Ahmad Halabisaz

With the agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program and end sanctions, a look at the energy economics of this new world order. With politics everywhere, as always.

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Eyes on the U.S. Geopolitics

At Home In Kenya With Obama’s Grandma

Mama Sarah Obama in Kogelo on June 29
Mama Sarah Obama in Kogelo on June 29 Rainlakes/Sun Ruibo/Xinhua/ZUMA

As the U.S. President visits his father’s homeland, an exclusive encounter with the now 94-year-old woman who raised Barack Obama Sr.

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Economy Geopolitics

Female Entrepreneurs Fuel A Changing Iran

Nazanin Daneshvar, CEO of Iranian e-commerce company Takhfifan
Nazanin Daneshvar, CEO of Iranian e-commerce company Takhfifan Twitter

TEHRAN — She could be the future of Iran. It has been a long parade of investors and foreign CEOs in the office of Nazanin Daneshvar, a young female engineer who founded the e-commerce company Takhfifan (Persian for “discount”). She welcomes such visitors, and foreign journalists, who have come to Iran to discover a country […]

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Geopolitics Migrant Lives

Why Did Belgium Only Rescue Christians From Syria?

A Christian neighborhood in Homs, Syria
A Christian neighborhood in Homs, Syria Giulio Paletta/ZUMA

BRUSSELS — Moved by the dramatic situation of the Christian population in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, a group of Belgian activists, with support from the government, orchestrated a remarkable rescue operation to save nearly 250 Syrian Christians. In Aleppo, the Christians were under continuous assault by ISIS, the al-Qaeda-aligned al-Nusra front and the Assad regime. […]

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Geopolitics Society

A Visit To Cairo’s Hardline Islamist Neighborhood

A street scen in Ain Shams
A street scen in Ain Shams Maurizio Molinari via Instagram

In Ain Shams’ side streets and clandestine mosques, diehard members of the Muslim Brotherhood are ready to battle police.

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Geopolitics Society

Niger: 5 Stories Making Headlines At Home

Niger: 5 Stories Making Headlines At Home
ZUMA/Flickr

This week, we shine the spotlight on Niger: FRENCH AMBASSADOR SENT HOME The French ambassador in Niger Antoine Anfré was discreetly removed from his position and sent back to Paris last Thursday. His forced departure — a first for a French ambassador in Niger — was demanded by Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou, according to Jeune […]

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Future Geopolitics

Drilling Into Oblivion: Call Of The “Collapsologists”

An oil field outside Bakersfield, California.
An oil field outside Bakersfield, California. Paul Edmondson/Mint Images/ZUMA

PARIS — Some figures will make your head spin. Since the end of World War II, the number of inhabitants on the planet has increased nearly three-fold. And in that time, people used more resources than were consumed during the entire history of mankind prior to 1945. Even more alarming is how quickly consumption continues […]

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