Why Have Relations Between Russia And Belarus Deteriorated At The Beginning Of 2017

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By Yuri Polyakov

Russia is certainly the closest and the most important partner of Belarus. They both share common cultural, economic and political ties. In fact, Belarus was the only country in the post-Soviet space who actively encouraged further integration of its political and economic system with Russia. Perhaps Alexander Lukashenko played a prominent role in fostering ties with Russia since he became President of the Republic of Belarus in 1994. However, his recent remarks about Russia and President Putin astonished the Russian political and business establishment.

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Donald and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Month

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By Theo Larue

Disclaimer: Donald Trump’s actions since he became President of the United States have angered many, causing him to receive an overwhelming amount of negative media attention. Because I’m a good imitator, this article is no exception. However, much of the media has been unable to cover every outrageous action Trump has taken, which is why I am writing about what you may not have heard about, and that arguably presents a larger risk in the long run, as opposed to Trump’s orders that are immediately overturned.

It has now been exactly one month since Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States. There has been a decent amount of fear, anger and incomprehension surrounding Trump’s decisions, the most controversial of which was the immigration ban. The vast media backlash and public outcry against it sent a vibrant message to Trump, a message that a lot of Americans and indeed the world condemn his actions. Continue reading “Donald and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Month”

The Changing Character of Turkey – Death of Ataturk’s Republic?

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By Roger Maul

Autocracy, violence, terror, fear and oppression have enflamed modern day Turkey, as the secular and democratic values of the Kemalist Republic are ultimately discharged by a regime whose power has become seemingly irrepressible. And despite all the European outcry and protest toward Erdogan’s persistent flirtation with Ottoman nostalgia and his pursuit of Sultan-like absolutism, it seems like we have returned back to business as usual. As the prisons are filling with political opponents, media outlets being compelled to close and the juridical autonomy becoming merely a farce, it is all too necessary to dwell on the drastically changing character of Turkey and its decent into a dictatorial and socially divided nation. Continue reading “The Changing Character of Turkey – Death of Ataturk’s Republic?”

Trump And The TPP: Making China Great Again?

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carolynn By Carolynn Bass

Has American president Donald Trump unintentionally begun the decline of American economic prowess? It certainly seems so, when one looks at his running platform and actions in his first month in office; threats to withdraw from many free trade agreements, and seeking to cut ties with China as well as alienating much of the American economic partnerships around the world. Conservative Trump’s economic and foreign policy are definitely a change from Obama’s liberal agenda that pushed for diplomacy and free trade among markets, and it seems that changes are already beginning in Washington.

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Connection and Fear: Television in the 21st Century

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13612203_10206155636603188_4130233331516496311_n By Gavin Davies

Although smart phones have revolutionized media access, for most people in the world it is still television networks that bring news of the world into their lives. However, T.V. news has had to compete with new technologies and entertainment, which created the conditions for an increased scope and style of news coverage. While this trend has illuminated more people to more global issues, it was also able to show more of the various conflicts that go on in the world on any given day, and created reactionary domestic responses because of it.

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From Liberty to Liability

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daniela By Daniel Atherton

“It’s a movement like we’ve never seen anywhere in the world, they say,” Trump said. “There’s never been a movement like this. And it’s something very, very special.”[1]

Fifty-three and a half years ago, there was a movement like this – a movement of impassioned people, fearful for the direction of the country, motivated to make a difference, enraged by the battle they faced in the capitol. The one fundamental difference: back then, America had a dream of liberty, today, America has a nightmare of liability.

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Fidel Castro’s Death, and What it Means to the Rest of the World

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14355033_1381372131892109_8836122230010910437_n By Jennifer Amspacher

Fidel Castro was 90 years old when he died on November 25, 2016. He was frail and sickly, yet his death still came to the world as a shock. Fidel Castro was President of Cuba from December 2, 1976 to February 24, 2008, when he resigned and gave power to his brother, Raúl Castro. Not only did he hold Presidency in Cuba for 47 years, Castro was first a law student at University of Havana– then rebel, revolutionary, self-proclaimed anti-imperialist and pro-soviet socialist; labeled as a fearsome dictator by critics and as an everlasting legend and icon by his supporters. The late Fidel Castro, no matter how you view him, was indubitably one of the most politically influential figures in Latin American history.

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