Pres. Andrzej Duda, National
new decade of the 20th century has just opened - one of uncertainty brought forth by the global pandemic and its consequences. But it is also one of hope and opportunities for civilisation's recovery, and a chance to create a world that respects the principles of sustained development. Certain areas will become centres of dynamic and positive change, and I am certain that Central Europe will be one of them.
Maria Demertzis, Bruegel
It is hard to imagine how either the EU or the US can do better on the big issues if they pursue their interests separately.
Will Inboden, Foreign Policy
Reagan's top diplomat ended the Cold War and reshaped the world.
Armin Laschet with Internationale Politik Quarterly
The new leader of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and strong contender to follow her as chancellor, too, Armin Laschet talks about Germany's relations with Russia and China and his stances on European policy.
Blake Smith, Foreign Policy
The German philosopher was one of the 20th century's most influential public intellectuals. But 21st-century politics has cut him adrift.
Phillip Orchard, Geopolitical Futures
For Myanmar, a country where the military brass has called the shots for most of its modern history, this week's putsch shouldn't have come as much of a surprise. Military juntas and puppet governments have effectively ruled Myanmar for all but around 20 years since independence in 1948. And when it finally consented to a gradual transition to democracy beginning in 2008, the armed forces made sure they would never have to answer to anyone but themselves. Читать дальше...
Giorgos Christides et al, Der Spiegel
Ashok Kumar, The Hindu
A huge turnout of women farmers on February marked the mahapanchayats or gatherings against the farm laws in Haryana's Jat belt, and among the Meo Muslims of the Mewat region in Rajasthan. Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader Rakesh Tikait, addressing the gathering in Haryana, said that the agitation was a mass movement and would not fail.
Vishnu Modur, Notes on Liberty
This question is especially essential for a weak state like India. But what if people prefer government subsidies, assertive intermediaries and a weak state? I don't know the answer to this question. The story of the Indian farm protest is an illustrative example; it is a rebellion to stay bound to the old status quo, fearful of free choice.
Eugene Rumer & Richard Sokolsky, Politico
The arms control community can breathe a sigh of relief now that the United States and Russia agreed on Wednesday to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the last remaining U.S.-Russian arms control treaty, for another five years. Had the treaty, which limits the deployed strategic nuclear weapons of each country to 1,550, been allowed to expire, there would have been nothing left to limit the size of the two countries' strategic arsenals. Читать дальше...
Tom Rogan, Washington Examiner
As Japan's Kyodo news outlet accurately reported on Sunday, Biden wants to organize a video summit with the leaders of Australia, India, and Japan. While such a summit would be more symbolic than policy-focused, it would send an important early signal that the Biden administration intends to build upon this important new alliance structure. The signal will be an especially...
Paul Roderick Gregory, The Hill
On Feb. 2, the Moscow City Court sentenced Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny to two years and eight months in jail. Noted for its "telephone justice" (verdict dictated by the Kremlin), the Moscow court's sentence revealed that Russian President
John Feffer, TomDispatch
The nightmare is over. The vanquished beast has crawled back to Mar-a-Lago to lick his wounds. The heroes are hard at work repairing the damage. As America returns to the international stage, the world heaves a collective sigh of relief.
Andrew Michta, National Review
Collectivism in any guise, including its postmodern progressivist variety, has been historically antithetical to a free society.
Tatiana Stanovaya, Financial Times
The persecution of Alexei Navalny provides a focus for social discontent.
Jeffrey Hornung, WOTR
Last week, China toughened its language against Taiwan, warning that "independence means war." A few days prior, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry reported 15 aircraft from the Chinese...
