International Affairs

an image of trump, netanyahu, xi and putin with a background of the globe map

We Owe Putin an Unreserved Apology

International Affairs, politics /

“If the price for world peace is to award President Trump a Nobel Peace Prize for ending eight wars, a delusion he firmly believes, then we should indulge his fantasy by granting this fervent wish. But since it would be grossly unfair to exclude Putin, or to ignore Xi, Kim or even Benjamin Netanyahu from such a list, it would not be a bad idea to propose to the Norwegian Nobel Committee a once-in-a-lifetime, first and last Nobel Peace Prize Quintet 2026, for all five”

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images of APC adc Atiku obi Tinubu elrufai trump in an orb

What You Might Expect in 2026: A Valedictory Edition

Africa, Economy, International Affairs, politics /

“From twice forecasting that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would lose (2019 and 2023, he’ll lose again in 2027), months before the election, to predicting that at least five ministers would be fired in 2025 (seven were fired), nothing has given me greater pleasure than the Nostradamus-like thrill of watching a situation foretold unfolding”

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image of Guinea-Bissau's ousted president and military leader on a backdrop of the country's map

A Troubling Message from Guinea-Bissau

International Affairs, politics /

“He started well, under the rallying cry of ‘Embaloism,’ which was supposed to rid the country of corruption, poor governance and instil discipline. He also attempted to rebuild confidence with regional allies and powerhouses, including Nigeria, and subsequently reached out to Portugal and the IMF to repair the country’s badly damaged economy…However, it didn’t take long before Embaloism gave way to ‘Embalomylitis,’ a condition that has left citizens poorer and poorer, eventually ranking 177th out of 191 on the UN Human Development Index”

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An image of Putin and Trump on a backdrop of the Russian and American flags, with Trump clapping

Putin As the President’s Medicine

International Affairs, politics /

When Putin came, it was different. Not only did Trump wait for him on the tarmac, applauding as the Russian president walked the red carpet to meet him, they both travelled in the Beast, a rare privilege that bypassed a carefully planned last-minute attempt to prevent a one-on-one summit.
For Putin, the special one, Trump wangled a one-on-one….What is it about Putin that fascinates Trump so much?

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Two images of Trump, with one side directed at the BRICS coalition, and the other directed at the 5 West African countries visiting the white house

Again, Trump’s Way or the Highway

Africa, International Affairs, politics /

A global trading system dominated by the dollar is no longer fit for purpose. Trump doesn’t think so. He believes the US can continue to eat its cake, preferring bullying and unilateralism to dialogue and multilateralism. The BRICS (now BRIC+) has a combined GDP that is two and a half times larger than the EU’s. It would be foolish of BRICS to underestimate its advantage or indulge Trump’s tantrums

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