Author: M Barbu

US-Gulf Divergence: Placing Risky Bets – Analysis

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spotlights seemingly widening differences between the United States and its closest Middle Eastern allies, sparking eulogies for an era of bygone American regional dominance.

“America’s Middle East Friendships are Dying a Natural Death” predicted foreign policy analyst Steven A. Cook this week after countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, to varying degrees, rebuffed US requests to help reduce energy prices and join sanctions against Russia.

Global Economic Uncertainty, Surging Amid War, May Slow Growth – Analysis

As the war in Ukraine unfolds, global uncertainty has surged, according to the latest reading of the World Uncertainty Index—a quarterly measure across 143 countries. This increase is a bad sign for growth. Our research finds that such increases foreshadow significant output declines. Based on our estimates, the rise in uncertainty in the first quarter could be enough to reduce full-year global growth by up to 0.35 percentage point.

Russia Vows To Intensify Attacks On Kyiv A Day After After Losing Key Warship

Russia’s Defense Ministry warned on April 15 that it will intensify attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, after accusing Ukraine of targeting Russian border towns.

The statement came a day after Russia suffered a symbolic defeat with the loss of its Black Sea fleet flagship, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed his people for their resolve since Russia invaded in February and for making “the most important decision of their life — to fight.”

China conducts major military drills as US lawmakers visit Taiwan

The PLA says the drills were conducted ‘in response to the recent wrong signals’ by Washington over Taiwan.

By RFA staff 2022.04.15 — The Chinese military conducted a large multi-force exercise on Friday morning around Taiwan, just hours after U.S. lawmakers arrived for a visit to show support for the self-ruling island and meet President Tsai Ing-wen.

Democracy Digest: Aftermath of Hungary Election

Following another overwhelming victory for the ruling Fidesz party, Viktor Orban continues his ‘peacock dance’ while the joint opposition, like Saturn, starts devouring its children.

Hungary is coming to terms with the fourth consecutive landslide victory for the prime minister, Viktor Orban, and his nationalist-populist Fidesz party.

In Serbia’s Electoral Simulation, the Leader Outstrips the Party

Elections in Serbia are all about the Leader, the “boss.” The Party comes a distant second.
Basking in the glow of another election win on April 3, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Serbs he was “the proudest man in the county.”

The reason for such pride was the 59.3 per cent he notched up in the presidential election, or roughly 800,000 more than all the other candidates combined.

Neo-Nazi who tried to launch a ‘civil race war’ by launching attacks with 600 homemade bombs and guns to ‘preserve the white population’ is hit with terror charge in Germany

Marvin E., 20, faces charges of attempting to form terrorist organisation as well as preparation of a grievous seditious attack and various weapons law violations
Marvin E., from Spangenberg, intended to launch a ‘race war’ over three years
Investigators found 600 homemade bombs at his apartment and a manifesto

240 Russian Air Strikes Target ISIS in Syrian Desert

The Russian army has expanded its military operations in the Syrian desert region since early April, following the decline of its operations in March and late February, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The Observatory indicated that the Russian fighter jets launched 240 air raids on the Syrian desert since early April.