Russia

Photo: Russian military expands in Africa by building bases in Africa. Credit: Russian Ministry of Defence.

Russia Expanding Its Military Bases in Africa

By Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW (IDN) – After years of negotiations with Djibouti, Eritrea and Somalia to establish naval bases, Russia has finally signed an agreement with Sudan, signifying further its return to Africa. Sharing a northern border with Egypt, Sudan is located on the strategic Red Sea coastline.

Moscow had a naval base in Somalia during the Soviet days, Eritrea appears to be steadily working for Russia, while Djibouti already hosts Chinese and American naval bases. China has a military base in Djibouti which was set up to support five mission areas. India is another Asian nation that has increased its naval presence in Africa. In order to protect its commercial sea-lanes from piracy, it has established a network of military facilities across the Indian Ocean.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 18 November 2020

Photo: Pro-European Union Euromaidan protesters in Kyiv, December 2013. CC BY-SA 3.0

Outmanoeuvring Russia, Not Spreading Democracy Is US Priority

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) – It’s rather revealing that during the conflict which now besets Azerbaijan and Armenia the US is barely interested, happily leaving it to Russia to do the mediating and peacekeeping and the UN to deal with the refugee problems. Quite the reverse with the Ukrainian crisis that began in 2013. Why? What’s the difference?

As the crisis evolved and fighting broke in the east and south with pro-Russian Ukrainians on one side and pro Westerners on the other the US shipped in arms and Russia sent in troops without insignia. The fighting continues to this day.

: Jonathan Power; OPINION; 17 November 2020

Photo credit: Ms. Jane Mufamadi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Freedom Park Memorial Museum Complex in Pretoria, South Africa.

The Five-Nation BRICS Finds Unity in Cultural Diversity

Interview by Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW (IDN) – Under the Russian Chairmanship of BRICS 2020, Moscow has organised and hosted a series of corporate conferences, business forums and other important events. For example, the Roundtable discussion on the theme “International Cultural Cooperation for Strengthening BRICS Unity” brought high-profiled participants from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It was part of efforts at broadening the scope of cooperation in different directions, and steps toward attaining an admirably influential position and becoming active on the global stage.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 13 November 2020

Photo: Zanzibar. Credit: Kester Kenn Klomegah

Undeterred by Health Warnings, Russians Begin Flocking to Africa's Islands

By Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW (IDN) – Despite the worsening coronavirus situation in Russia, at least during the months of October and November, Russian tourism agencies have briskly been organizing group tours to the Indian Ocean islands of Zanzibar, Seychelles and Mauritius.

Obviously, because the islands seem to have the lowest cases of the pandemic and have taken strict measures to halt the spread of COVID-19. And, these islands are favourite destinations for foreign tourists and have closely diverse geopolitical relations with the world.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 06 November 2020

Five BRICS Countries Accentuate UN's Central Role in International Affairs

Parliamentarians Pledge Partnership for Global Stability

By Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW (IDN) – Parliamentarians of five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have pledged to join hands in combating COVID-19, facing the challenges and threats that each member state currently faces, and strengthening cooperation, including at the inter-parliamentary level.

In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Sixth Parliamentary Forum on October 27 was organized via video conference. Its main theme was "BRICS Partnership for Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth: parliamentary dimension".

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 30 October 2020

Photo: BRICS Civil Forum 2020 Credit: civilbrics.ru

BRICS Civil Forum Evolving from Strength to Strength

By Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW (IDN) – Since its establishment in 2009, BRICS, an association of five major emerging economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has had a significant influence and expanded in many directions, one of which is the BRICS Civil Forum. Significant to recall that during the 7th summit held in July in the Russian provincial city of Ufa in Bashkortostan, on Russia’s initiative the BRICS established the BRICS Civil Forum.

Its mission is to put public priorities on the BRICS agenda as well as to present civil initiatives to the leaders of BRICS countries. Some of the proposals provide the leaders with an opportunity to look at the current development issues, taking public interest into serious consideration.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 21 October 2020

Photo: Vladimir Putin & Donald Trump in Helsinki, 16 July 2018. Credit: President of the Russian Federation. CC BY 4.0

Exploring Whether Trump or Putin Is a Dictator

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Who comes closest to being a dictator? Is it President Vladimir Putin or President Donald Trump?

Until Trump came on the scene as America’s number one, Putin took the prize for autocracy. No longer. Who uses his power to stir up violent, anti-democratic, movements? Who incites racism?

Who cares barely a fig for poor ill people? Who cossets the rich? Who threatens the world’s existence most – the one who spends more on increasing armaments than the other has altogether?

: Jonathan Power; THE WORLD; USA and Canada; 20 October 2020

Photo: The first Russia-Africa summit: Vladimir Putin with the Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera.

Russia Makes Inroads into the Central African Republic

By Kester Kenn Klomegah*

MOSCOW (IDN) – On the margins of 75th session of the General Assembly, which commenced on September 15 in virtual format amid Covid-19, UN Secretary-General António Guterres convened a high-level meeting on the Central African Republic with President Faustin-Archange Touadera, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Chairperson of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission, Gilberto Veríssimo.

The international partners expressed their support for advancing the political process, including the organization of the elections, the first round of which is scheduled for December 27.

: Kester Kenn Klomegah; THE WORLD; Russia; 17 October 2020

Putin Pleads For 5P Retaining Their UN Security Council Veto

By Radwan Jakeem

NEW YORK (IDN) – While U.S. President Donald Trump has availed of the 75th anniversary of the United Nations to continue China-bashing, for example, holding "China accountable for their actions" such as for unleashing "this plague" (COVID-1), and emitting "more toxic mercury into the atmosphere than any country anywhere in the world", Russian President Vladimir Putin preferred to focus on the role of the world body in maintaining international peace and security.

Trump believes that China is dumping "millions and millions of tons of plastic and trash into the oceans," overfishing other countries’ waters, destroying "vast swaths of cor.al reef".

: Radwan Jakeem; THE WORLD; Russia; 03 October 2020

Photo: Western visitors to Moscow and St Petersburg are often struck by how “European” these cities are. Russians in these cities dress like Europeans. The picture shows people walking on the main street of Saint Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt C BY 2.0.

Whether Trump Wins or Not, Europe Must Move Towards Russia

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) – If Donald Trump wins re-election as president, is Europe going to bellyache about him for another four years without, as now, having any firm, cohesive, strategy for dealing with him and his foreign policies?

There is a chance that Trump will surprise the political establishment, as he did last time, and win. Europe can’t continue with its wing and a prayer approach, hoping that his perniciously volatile policies will be terminated in the very near future. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t.