In Other News: Cuba Expands Private Businesses, Russia-EU Tensions & WHO's Covid-19 Investigation – February 12, 2021
February 12, 2021 Cuba announced this week that it will open up its economy to expand private businesses on the island. The economic reforms announced by the Communist government will allow for more Cubans to become “cuentapropistas” or entrepreneurs – a sign that the state recognizes the need to push for economic growth since the […]
In Other News: Russian Authorities Sentence Navalny, US Continues to Back Venezuelan Opposition Leader & China's Covid Diplomacy – February 4, 2021
February 4, 2021 Russian protests are continuing – albeit in smaller numbers – following the arrest and sentencing of Kremlin critic and opposition figure Alexey Navalny, who made his name in politics with videos exposing corruption among Russia’s political elites. Navalny was detained by Russian authorities on January 17 upon returning to Moscow from Germany, […]
In Other News: Russian Protests, Covid-19 Impacts on Mexico & More – January 29, 2021
January 29, 2021 Tens of thousands of Russians (possibly as many as 100,000) took to the streets last weekend in cities across the country to protest the arrest of opposition leader Alexey Navalny upon his return from Germany, where he was treated and convalesced after being poisoned by Russian state security services in August. More […]
In Other News: Suicide Bombings in Baghdad, US-Mexico Relations & More – January 22, 2021
January 22, 2021 Twin suicide bombings in Tayaran Square in central Baghdad yesterday killed more than 30 and wounded more than 100, the first suicide bombing in Iraq’s capital city in two years. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack. While ISIS and other militant groups have been involved in a spate of incidents across […]
In Other News: World Leaders React to Violence in Washington, Russia Behind Hack, Iran Resumes Enriching Uranium to 20% & More – January 8, 2021
January 8, 2021 Foreign governments around the world reacted to the violence in Washington on January 6 with shock and condemnation. Several American allies condemned the storming of the U.S. Capitol and called for a peaceful transition to the incoming Biden administration. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed shock at the “disgraceful scenes,” while German […]
In Other News: Vaccine Progress Improves Global Economic Outlook, Brexit Trade Deal Passes, and the Threat of Russian Aggression – December 31, 2020
December 31, 2020 Progress on the Covid-19 vaccines, including the UK approval of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on December 30, has helped improve the global economic outlook for 2021. Most economists believe we will see global growth between 4% and 5% in 2021, with the United States at about 4% according to the U.S. Federal Reserve. The […]
In Other News: Russian Hack on U.S. Government, Mexico and Brazil Congratulate Biden & More – December 18, 2020
December 18, 2020 Hackers believed to be from Russia’s foreign intelligence service, or SVR, penetrated a range of U.S. government agencies in what has been described as “a grave risk” to the federal, state, local, and tribal governments as well as critical infrastructure and other private sector entities. The hack was nothing short of stunning […]
In Other News: Maduro Tightens Grip in Venezuela, FireEye Hacked by Russians & More – December 11, 2020
December 11, 2020 Venezuela held legislative elections on December 6 in which just 32% of the population participated and Maduro tightened his grip on power. The Venezuelan opposition, led by Juan Guaidó, boycotted the elections. Opting to sit out the elections, which they said would be fraudulent, the opposition lost seats in the National Assembly […]
In Other News: Killing of Iranian Nuclear Scientist, US Rewards for Tips on North Korea & More – December 4, 2020
December 4, 2020 The killing of senior Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh has prompted Iran to disavow any rapprochement with its “enemies” – including the U.S. – but President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration early next year could nonetheless be the catalyst for a return to the negotiating table. Press reports are near unanimous in attributing Fakhrizadeh’s […]
In Other News: Democracy & Corruption in Latin America, UK Defense Spending & More – November 20, 2020
November 20, 2020 Questions about democracy, sovereignty, and corruption have emerged again in Latin America, as Peru got its third president in one week, Mexico secured the release of a high-level former official from drug trafficking charges in the United States, and Brazil held the first round of municipal elections this month. In Peru, corruption […]
