News Analysis Archives

Crypto, AI, and Israel All Spending Big to Influence U.S. Elections

6Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Democracy, Domestic Politics, Finance, Currency, Debt, National Budgets & Interest Rates, Types of News: Analysis, United States

Crypto, AI, and Israel All Spending Big to Influence U.S. Elections

Spending by political action committees far outpaces what candidates running for office can and do spend. Follow the Money: PACs Lead Spending in the 2026 Midterms October 5, 2026—Campaign finance is where powerful interests intersect with government. The money spent does not just influence elections, it can also shape policies affecting society as a whole. In terms of money flowing through the campaign-finance system, political action committees (PACs) direct nearly three times as much money as candidates running for reelection or office. That concentration of money gives PACs considerable potential influence over which candidates reach—and remain in—office. The Power of the PAC Purse In terms of spending, candidates for office paid out$2 billion, while PACs reported $6.5 b...

Business in Occupied Territories Tests the Limits of International Law

27Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Human rights, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Types of News: Analysis

Business in Occupied Territories Tests the Limits of International Law

More than 200 companies are doing business in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, supporting illegal settlements, according the the United Nations. Photo by Levi Meir Clancy courtesy Unsplash. Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and other major companies appear in a UN database examining business activities connected to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, raising questions about corporate responsibility for human rights. September 28, 2026—Businesses operating in occupied Palestinian territories are not bound by international law in the same way that UN-member states are, but they are not exempt from upholding human rights either. Hundreds of companies headquartered in 11 countries conduct business in or near Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, according to an u...

In Contrast To NATO, Moscow-Based CSTO Is Silent On Ukraine

24Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Geopolitics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council

In Contrast To NATO, Moscow-Based CSTO Is Silent On Ukraine

File photo: CSTO meeting 2020 March 24, 2022--The Russia-dominated military alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization is keeping silent on the Ukraine crisis, including Russia's invasion and the humanitarian outflow of refugees. That stands in contrast to the 30 member NATO alliance, which issued a statement today in reaction to Russia's war in Ukraine. March Meeting on Crisis Response Meeting this month virtually, the Moscow-based CSTO staff discussed crisis-response initiatives with military representatives from its member states. Members include Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. According to a March 24 news statement about the meeting, the representatives discussed the "military and political situation in the world and ...

Russia, Ukraine Foreign Ministers Talk In Turkey

10Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Eastern Europe, Types of News: Analysis

Russia, Ukraine Foreign Ministers Talk In Turkey

March 10, 2022--It was a valiant effort by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to host diplomatic talks between Russia and Ukraine today. After all, it's the 15th day of Russia's brutal war against Ukraine and its citizens with no end in sight. The table was already set for meetings as Turkey was hosting a diplomacy forum in Antalya. So the mood for some kind of breakthrough in peace talks or at least a ceasefire for humanitarian relief seemed possible. But that did not happen when Russian and Ukrainian Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov and Dmytro Kuleba faced one another across a large U-shaped table. That was the extent of the progress. No Breakthroughs Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey is encouraging the ongoing process taking place in Belarus. He e...

Looking At The Economic Effects Of Russia’s War

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Global Economics, WAR: Dispatches & Dialogue

Looking At The Economic Effects Of Russia’s War

Energy Price Spikes Lead Economic Impact Of War March 7, 2022—By far, the greatest cost of Russia's war against Ukraine is the humanitarian costs: the lives lost, the forced displacement, and the psychological trauma. As the world faces down Russia's aggression, we also need to recognize and prepare for the economic effects. The battle and emerging breakdown of global trade are also having an economic impact, and it is helpful for individuals to brace themselves for that. "The near-term effects on the U.S. economy of the invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing war, the sanctions, and of events to come, remain highly uncertain," Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said recently. "We will need to be nimble in responding to incoming data and the evolving outlook."-House Financial Service...

Russia Loses Soft Power Too As Sports Says ‘No’

2Mar

By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Eastern Europe, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Human rights, Types of News: Analysis

Russia Loses Soft Power Too As Sports Says ‘No’

Olympic Committee, FIFA, UEFA, Others Shutting Athletes Out Editor's Note: Soft power is the ability of a country to convince and attract rather than coerce. It can include its appeal of culture, reputation, business, and sports. Soft power is a significant component of global relations, and Russia is losing its fast. Belarus is right behind them. Ukrainian footballer Alex Zinchenko is not the only one rebuking Russian President Vladimir Putin for his war. Athletic organizations are banning Russian and Belarusian teams from competitions. By Ernesto Rodriguez in Madrid March 2, 2022—While we are all still shell-shocked after the “surprise” invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it is also important to start seriously analyzing the many ways the West is fighting this war. While it is too...

Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe

20Jul

By Spencer HayesNo Comments

Communism, Dictatorship, authoritarian, Eastern Europe, Geopolitics, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe

Increasing Human Rights Violations Since 2020 Draw Attention July 21, 2021-- Belarus' reputation as a repressive nation has gotten even worse. Here's why. On a trip to Lithuanian in 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice referred to the former Soviet republic of Belarus as “the last remaining true dictatorship in the heart of Europe.” It angered officials in Belarus at the time. The administration of President Alexander Lukashenko asserted that the country's future is “determined by the nation’s people.” Sixteen years later, the country is still ruled by Lukashenko. And he rules it with an iron fist. East Or West? Five years ago, Lukashenko faced a difficult decision: Partner with Russia, his closest ally, or apply to join the European Union. Belarus decided not to choose ...