View Articles

After the completion of two years of Russia-Ukraine war, Europe is facing a series of strategic issues concerning its relationship with Russia under President Putin. America is becoming less dependable and Europe is not adequately prepared. The problem is clear, but a solution on such a large scale is incomprehensible. The security agreements that emerged from NATO after World War II, which have successfully prevented another major conflict, are deeply rooted in Europe’s foundation. Therefore, reshaping these agreements will be an enormous and challenging task.

On Saturday, former US President Donald Trump's win over his challenger, Nikki Haley, intensified the American presidential election race. With this win, Trump is moving toward a clear path to the Republican nomination. He dominated the primaries so far, in which voters select a party's nominee who will compete in the presidential election scheduled in November this year.

Saudi Arabia, a country in popular imagination of white caped sheikhs driving around in limousines in broad avenues lined with sky scraping condominiums is on the cusp of a change. It is grappling with the task of reinventing its economy.

At a time when India is gearing up for national elections, Indonesia chose its next president. It merits mention not only because it was the world' largest single-day vote but it was an election which is a beacon of hope in a region plagued by autocrats and juntas.

Over the past few months, Colombian pop star Shakira’s newest song, “El Jefe,” has taken off throughout Latin America, highlighting the intense economic inequality and exploitation in the region. Perhaps surprisingly, the song has a fan in the upper echelons of power — Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president.

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s plan for Gaza’s future once the guns fall silent is likely to be a non-starter. Rather than provide a pathway to a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the plan aims to squash Palestinian national aspirations and ensure continued Israeli control. It also assumes, against all odds, that Israel will succeed in destroying Hamas. Destroying Hamas is a goal of Israel’s war that a majority of Israelis believe is unachievable.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters its third year on Saturday, February 24 Russian President Vladimir Putin looks totally relaxed as against his competitor US President Joe Biden who lost his temper in an election gathering on Wednesday by calling Putin ‘SOB’ which is generally not used in public by the government heads even by the American standards. President Putin cooly dealt with Biden’s remark by mentioning even then he would like Biden to be the next President of USA as against Donald Trump.

American President Joe Biden most probably forgot his insulting words for Russian President Vladimir Putin after a couple of minutes of saying them, but the “crazy SOB” also took the insult on the chin, brushing it aside as if it was no more deserving of attention than a passing breeze on a windy day.

More things change, the more they remain the same. Not much surprise surfaced when this old adage came true once more after the announcement of February 8 election results in Pakistan and formation of its government even as the political outfit which emerged victorious in maximum constituencies readies itself to sit in the Opposition benches.

After prolonged negotiations, political leaders in Pakistan have successfully reached a consensus on a power-sharing arrangement for a new government. The ruling coalition will consist of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which enjoys support from the influential military, along with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and various smaller factions.