By Sean Buchanan LONDON (IDN) – Brazil is emerging from its long recession and is headed for solid growth in 2018 and 2019 as recent structural reforms start to bear fruit, but the country still has some way to go. The mixed outlook comes in the latest OECD Economic Survey of Brazil which notes that […]
US Foreign Policy and Trump’s Contradictions – Part 3
Viewpoint by Michele Nobile* This is the third of a five-part article looking at US foreign policy in historical context and its global implications under President Donald Trump. BERGAMO, Italy (IDN) – The development of capitalism is global but structurally unequal: its contradictions are also expressed through the hierarchy of the system of States. And, […]
The Importance of Putin and Russia’s Presidential Election
By Somar Wijayadasa Somar Wijayadasa, a former UNESCO delegate to the UN General Assembly and Representative of UNAIDS at the United Nations, has been a frequent visitor to Russia since 1962 when the then Soviet Union “was a proud nation with a thriving economy, marvels of industrialization, advances in science, technology and medicine, escapades into […]
Kazakhstan to Chair WTO Negotiations on Trade in Services
ASTANA (IDN | KazInform) – The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has on March 7 approved the candidacy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the chairmanship of the Special Session of the WTO Council for Trade in Service, reports Kazinform International News Agency citing a press release of the the Kazakh Ministry […]
US Foreign Policy and Trump’s Contradictions – Part 1
Viewpoint by Michele Nobile* This is the first of a five-part article looking at US foreign policy in historical context and its global implications under President Donald Trump. BERGAMO, Italy (IDN) – During a speech on foreign policy in April 2016, US President Donald Trump thundered: “We are totally predictable. We tell everything. We’re sending […]
More Civil Engagement Called for in Eastern, South-East Europe
By Sean Buchanan This is the second in a series of reports highlighting salient aspects of Transparency International‘s latest analysis on challenges posed by corruption around the world as well as successes and failures of efforts targeting a scourge that eats into the vitals of human rights. – The Editor. LONDON (IDN) – When it […]
Erdoğan’s Neo-Ottomanism at a Dangerous Turning Point
By Pier Francesco Zarcone* ROME (IDN) – It is not being dealt with by major media, but there appear to be new and dangerous winds of war about to blow in the eastern Mediterranean. On October 15, 2016, in a speech at the university that (modestly) bears his name, Turkish President Recep Erdoğan outlined some […]
US Tax Reforms Affect 50% of Global Foreign Direct Investment
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) – Almost half of global investment stock is either located in the United States or owned by American multinationals abroad. The United States ‘Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’, adopted in December 2017, will therefore significantly affect both investment into the U.S. and the investment positions of U.S. firms abroad, according […]
What Prosperity for Central America Under US Hegemony?
Viewpoint by Marcelo Colussi* GUATEMALA CITY (IDN) – Between 50 and 60 percent of the inhabitants of the three countries of the so-called Northern Triangle of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) live below the poverty line, and this structural and chronic poverty is compounded by alarming rates of delinquent violence (largely a product […]
Security Council Focuses on Afghanistan, Central Asian States
By J Nastranis UNITED NATIONS (IDN) – The 15-nation United Nations Security Council has reiterated its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan and the Central Asian States. Before debating the pressing challenges ahead, the Council adopted a presidential statement on January 19, expressing its continued support to the UN Secretary‑General’s call […]