Global Forecast (02-23-2016)
The Kurds advance in northern Syria, a big deficit for the Canadian government, and 'Brexit' fears hit financial markets.
U.S. dollar: Condition terminal
A report revealing high-level meetings to de-link oil from the U.S. dollar has gold spiking and financial analysts buzzing. It begs the question: how long does the U.S. dollar really have as global reserve currency? Full Story
Iran foils U.S.-backed coup
Iran announced a secret court’s guilty verdict against four Iranian nationals convicted of organizing a “soft regime change” in Tehran at the behest of the Bush administration. The Iranian announcement follows reports of a U.S. covert-ops program targeting Iranian nuclear facilities.
OPINION: Revolutionary Democracy
Though the list of countries being swept up in a wave of popular uprisings is long and getting longer, pro-democracy activists the world over would be wise to hold off their own celebrations. The wave of ‘people power’ spreading through the Middle East and Africa could just as easily end up hindering international democracy as it could helping it.
Libya and Imperialism
Of all the struggles going on in North Africa and the Middle East right now, the most difficult to unravel is the one in Libya.
Escalating inter-Korean tensions
The hostile tone in DPRK statements reverses a brief period of détente during the last year of the Bush administration, a period that witnessed the DPRK’s removal from the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism List. The causes of DPRK hostility could stem from internal succession politics or geopolitical considerations, impacting the East Asian security situation.
The Pakistan Paradox
Withhold $800 million in military aid, let it go through, or double it- no matter what Washington does it can’t escape the paradox that Islamabad is its most important ally in the war on terror.
The Jury Is Still Out on Conflict Prevention in the CAR
The Geopoliticalmonitor's Misha Boutilier discusses whether the international community's response to fighting in the Central African Republic deserves to be called a success.
Iraq: Divided They Prosper
While it’s expected that it will be the Kurds who separate from Iraq, the real beneficiaries from a break-up of the country would be the Shia. They’re the ones who control 80 percent of the country’s oil wealth, and they would prefer not to share it with hostile neighbors.
The Commendable Courage of Steve Bullock
The governor’s stance on gun rights may pay off in the long run.