Privatized Foreign Policy: The India Lobby
We often think of foreign policy as something that’s only guided by calculations of national interest. This isn’t always the case, and nowhere is this more apparent than in American foreign policy.
Terrorism Spreads in Nigeria
The sudden explosion of violence in northern Nigeria doesn’t bode well for state stability moving forward, especially given the persistence of MEND’s ongoing rebellion in the south.
U.S. Aid to Pakistan
Given the recent tripling of U.S. aid to Pakistan without any pre-conditions, Islamabad’s habit of funneling counter-insurgency funds toward the purchase of conventional weapons is likely to continue.
Secretive U.S. prison units
The government is using secretive prison facilities on U.S. soil, called Communication Management Units, to house inmates accused of being tied to “terrorism” groups. They overwhelmingly include Muslim inmates, along with at least two animal rights and environmental activists.
Corruption and the Afghanistan election
A successful election is sure to be perceived as a victory for the NATO campaign in Afghanistan. However, August elections obscure what is really going on in Afghan politics - a rise in state-sanctioned corruption.
Political turmoil in Pakistan
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has banned the main opposition party’s leader from holding political office, threatening political turmoil in the nuclear-armed South Asian state.
Taliban declares ceasefire
Pakistani Taliban declared a 10-day ceasefire with the Pakistani government in response to the Pakistani government's agreeing to impose Sharia Law in the Swat District. However, the imposition of Sharia Law will enable the Taliban and allied anti-American militant groups to consolidate local control, a necessary precursor to furthering their anti-American operations.
Obama cancels change agenda
At the G20 Summit, U.S. President Barack Obama rejected proposals for change to the global financial system, ensuring a continuation of American global economic hegemony.
Cheap Oil and Political Risk: Venezuela & the Cuban Connection
In this series, Geopoliticalmonitor.com analyzes political fallout from the global plunge in oil prices. Part one focuses on Venezuela and Cuba.
A US-Canada compromise on the Arctic?
While the usual international posturing on the Arctic continues unabated, signs are beginning to emerge that Canada and the United States might be able to put their differences behind them.