August 14, 2023
The loss of life and devastation caused by this summer’s wildfires, floods, and drought unmistakably show that climate change is going to impact the world sooner and much more dramatically than generally expected. But understandably, many nations are also concerned about food security, and the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Okumaya devam etAugust 7, 2023
Since the invasion of Ukraine, the US State Department has probably been experiencing its busiest time ever with its senior diplomats crisscrossing the world from Asia to Africa, South America to the Far East in a campaign not only to isolate Russia but also to contain China. Western countries are mostly united in condemning Moscow, promising to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, saying “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine”, and calling for Russia to be held accountable for war crimes but they still have no diplomatic initiative to reveal.
Okumaya devam etJuly 31, 2023
The center of interest of the past week was the second Russia-Africa Summit which took place in St. Petersburg on July 27-28. The US and some of its allies were delighted that only 17 heads of African states attended this year’s meeting, less than half of the 43 heads of state that attended the first conference in 2019. This must have been a disappointment for Moscow. Nonetheless, during his bilateral meeting with President Putin South Africa’s President Ramaphosa said what is particularly pleasing is that Russia conducts its relationship with Africa at a strategic level, and it conducts it with a great deal of respect and recognition of the sovereignty of African states. Russia has continued to be supportive of Africa as it did in the past, even during the days of the Soviet Union. [i]
Okumaya devam etJuly 24, 2023
Heatwaves unseen in the past, wildfires, and huge floods have led some scientists to say that “The earth is in uncharted territory.” So is the world. The war in Ukraine grinds on. Washington’s strategic competition with China has led to an adversarial relationship between the world’s two leading powers. Democracy is in decline, the “judicial overhaul” proposed by Israel’s far-right government being a sad example. Problems of food security are no longer on the horizon but much closer. Migration has become a big challenge for well-to-do countries. There is not the slightest indication that there is an awareness of the need to confront global problems through international cooperation.
Okumaya devam etJuly 18, 2023
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on July 17, that the Black Sea agreements were effectively terminated on Monday as the part of the deal concerning Russia has not been fulfilled.
“The Black Sea agreements are no longer in effect. The deadline, as the Russian president said earlier, is July 17. Unfortunately, the part of the Black Sea agreement that concerns Russia has not yet been fulfilled. As a result, it has been terminated,” he said.
“As soon as the Russian part [of the deal] is fulfilled, the Russian side will immediately return to the implementation of this deal,” Peskov added. In other words, he did not say that the deal was off the agenda for good.
Okumaya devam etJuly 13, 2023
On February 19, 2021, at the 2021 Virtual Munich Security Conference, President Biden addressed the global community for the first time. He defined the partnership between Europe and the US as the cornerstone of all that the West hopes to accomplish in the 21st century, just as it did in the 20th century. He said: “I know — I know the past few years have strained and tested our transatlantic relationship, but the United States is determined — determined to reengage with Europe, to consult with you, to earn back our position of trusted leadership.”
Okumaya devam etJuly 9, 2023
The decision by the US to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions has led to strong criticism from humanitarian groups; met with the disapproval of some members of the US Congress, and created unease in some NATO capitals because Article 1 of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), adopted in Dublin on May 30, 2008, and opened for signature in Oslo on December 3 the same year, says:
Okumaya devam etJuly 3, 2023
Last week’s developments in Russia have been described as a “rebellion”, “uprising”, “coup”, and “mutiny”. The exception was China.
Neither President Xi Jinping nor senior officials of the Chinese government said a word about what was happening in Russia. Only the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson published in writing on June 25 her response to a question under the title “Wagner Group Incident”. She said, “This is Russia’s internal affair. As Russia’s friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic partner of coordination for the new era, China supports Russia in maintaining national stability and achieving development and prosperity.” “Response to a question” in writing is the minimum governments say in public diplomacy.
Okumaya devam etJune 26, 2023
I have just finished reading Odd Arne Westad’s book titled “The Cold War, A World History”. It is indeed a remarkable book giving the reader deep insight into the period extending from the end of the Second World War to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Since Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US made headlines last week, at least after the loss of the Titan submersible, I again read what he said about the Cold War and India to get a better perspective of what lies ahead in terms of India-US, and India-China relations. The following largely reflects my understanding of his views on India’s foreign and security policy during the Cold War.
Okumaya devam etJune 21, 2023
The title of one of my recent posts was, “A Light Breeze of Change in the Middle East”. Hopefully, it would continue to blow more and more strongly and turn into a “wind of change” after decades and decades of conflict, external intervention, and self-destruction.
A brief look at the past developments:
Okumaya devam et
Diplomatik Yorum - Ali Tuygan 