United (Socialist) States of America? Trump-Biden Showdown is a Battle for the Capitalist Soul of the Country

United (Socialist) States of America? Trump-Biden Showdown is a Battle for the Capitalist Soul of the Country

The final presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden highlighted what is really at stake: not the political fortunes of two politicians, but rather what a future America might look like. Perhaps not since the Great Debates of 1858, between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, which focused on the issue of slavery, has there…

Is the European Union Qualified to Broker Peace Between Israel and Palestine?

Is the European Union Qualified to Broker Peace Between Israel and Palestine?

In theory, Europe and the United States stand on completely opposite sides when it comes to the Israeli occupation of Palestine. While the US government has fully embraced the tragic status quo created by 53 years of Israeli military occupation, the EU continues to advocate a negotiated settlement that is predicated on respect for international law….

A Pandemic Pivot

A Pandemic Pivot

If the current pandemic is a test of the global emergency response system, the international community is flunking big time. It has done just about everything wrong, from the failure to contain the virus early on to the lack of effective coordination thereafter. As the predicted second wave begins to build — the world is…

Turkey’s Recent S-400 Test Helps Maintain Its ‘Balancing’ Act Between The US & Russia

Turkey’s Recent S-400 Test Helps Maintain Its ‘Balancing’ Act Between The US & Russia

Turkey couldn’t have tested its S-400s at a more opportune moment than last week since the timing helps the country maintain its delicate “balancing” act between the US and Russia, reassuring Moscow at a pivotal juncture in their relationship that Ankara is no longer the fierce rival that some commentators portray it as despite the…

As U.S. Tensions Soar With China, Taiwan Fears Cannon Fodder Risk

As U.S. Tensions Soar With China, Taiwan Fears Cannon Fodder Risk

After 40 years of “strategic ambiguity” in its partnership with the United States, Taiwan has taken the unprecedented move of calling Washington for “clarity” on whether it would be defended in the event of armed conflict with China. The Washington Post reported last week a senior Taiwanese representative to the U.S. as saying: “We need…