Domestic Politics Archives

Council Of Inquiry Launched On Russia’s War Against Ukraine

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Human rights, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

Council Of Inquiry Launched On Russia’s War Against Ukraine

The UNHRC established a Commission of Inquiry on Russia's war on March 4, 2022. UN Human Rights Council Votes 32-2 On Resolution (Full Text) March 7, 2022—While wars may seemingly be created overnight, as in the case of Russia's aggression against its neighbor, no-fly zones and official state support for the territory violated are not. It is too soon to predict where this is heading. Even as Western leaders rule out the involvement of the NATO alliance, they and the rest of most of the world are carefully trodding towards confronting Vladimir Putin and the Russian government. Moral And Legal Support Mounts Moral support for Ukraine continues to grow, and an accumulation of legal and diplomatic is mounting. On March 4, the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemni...

International Agency Says Europe Can Cut 1/3 Of Its Russian Gas Imports

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Geopolitics, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

International Agency Says Europe Can Cut 1/3 Of Its Russian Gas Imports

March 7, 2022--Europe is notoriously dependent on Russian oil and gas. That reliance is making strict penalties on Russia's invasion difficult to carry out. But that trade isn't set in stone. In a new report, the International Energy Agency recommends 10 steps for European leaders who want to break that dependency. Under the IEA plan, Europe would be able to reduce its natural gas imports from Russia from 155 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year to 95 bcm--a savings of one third. These figures assume Europe refills is gas storage facilities in 2022. According the the report, the steps are in line with the European Union's goals for climate action and a European Green Deal. However, the agency also recommends additional steps in light of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. 10 Steps ...

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...

Protests And Political Imprisonment In Russia

4Mar

By Jacob DavenportNo Comments

Communism, Dictatorship, authoritarian, Eastern Europe, Human rights, Types of News: Brief

Protests And Political Imprisonment In Russia

Photo by @Martin_camera Russian Opposition Leader Alexey Navalny Calls For Anti-War Protests Editor's Note: As Russian President Vladimir Putin accelerates its war against Ukrainians, world leaders and foreign policy watchers are increasingly counting on Russian citizens to take responsibility for ending the war. Mohr Media's intern Jacob Davenport reports on the unfolding developments and some background. March 4, 2022--In response to the military invasion of Ukraine, Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny encouraged his fellow citizens to continue protesting against the war. From Prison, Navalny Says 'Go Protest' Navalny said Russian citizens should be prepared to “fill prisons and paddy wagons” as a means of demonstration and protest in response to “Moscow’s unprovoked...

Biden Shifts From Partisan Agenda To One Of Unity

3Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Types of News: Analysis, United States

Biden Shifts From Partisan Agenda To One Of Unity

Russia's War Is Uniting Democrats, Republicans, And Independents In Fight For Freedom March 3, 2022—Before the war in Europe started a week ago, you could say U.S. President Joe Biden led a country deeply divided by bitter politics and a populace upset by soaring inflation. The foul mood was evident in day-to-day life, even if you avoided the daily barrage of noise and diatribes of cable news. "Biden," a man muttered as we crossed paths in the post office parking lot in late February. It happened to be Presidents Day—a U.S. holiday celebrating past presidents—and the very mention of the word brought on a tirade of complaints. "Gas prices... That Biden." Then just a few days later, everything changed in America. It happened when Russian leader Vladimir Putin sent his troops and mis...

In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine

2Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Legal Battles, International Law, Justice, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

In An Emergency Session, 141 Nations Condemn Russia’s Military Actions in Ukraine

UN General Assembly vote on March 2, 2022 Resolution Calls On Russia To Immediately Cease Its Use Of Force Against Ukraine March 2, 2022--In an extraordinary session of the United Nation's General Assembly, representatives from 141 countries voted to condemn Russia's military assault on Ukraine, uphold the UN charter and call for an immediate end to the bloodshed. It was only the 11th time in the organization's history that the General Assembly held an emergency session. The four-page resolution recalls several previous resolutions supporting territorial integrity and national sovereignty. Furthermore, it minces no words about condemning Russia. unga-resolution-Russia-UkraineDownload Belarus Condemned Too The resolution also calls out Russia's ally Belarus. Specifically, ...

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...

The Weird History of the Venezuela-Colombia Relationship Under Chavismo

28Feb

By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Domestic Politics, Immigration, Migration, Types of News: Analysis

The Weird History of the Venezuela-Colombia Relationship Under Chavismo

Photo of Colombia-Venezuela border by El Espectador. By Ernesto Rodriguez February 28, 2022—Neighbors can be a complex issue in international politics. While having an economic and political ally next door can be beneficial—after all, that’s the whole conceit of the European Union—it doesn’t always work that way. When you have a neighbor that has significant political differences or is even an open enemy, it can be catastrophic. Just ask Ukraine. In South America, relations between Colombia and Venezuela are quite complicated. They have been difficult and complex since Hugo Chávez-led Chavismo, a radical left-wing ideology, came to power in the late 1990s. A Shared History And Culture The two countries share a 2,219-km (1,379-mile) border, a common language and many si...

‘We Were Told They Would Welcome Us,’ Russian Soldier Says

28Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Types of News: Brief, WAR: Dispatches & Dialogue

‘We Were Told They Would Welcome Us,’ Russian Soldier Says

February 28, 2022--In an extraordinary special session by the UN General Assembly, Ukraine's representative read out a text conversation between a Russian soldier and his mom. "Mom, I'm in Ukraine, there's a real war. I'm scared, we shoot at everything in a row, even at peaceful ones. We were told that they would welcome us, but they throw themselves under our military equipment and do not let us pass. They call us fascists. It's very hard for me." Photo of text messageFeb. 28 Special GA assembly Reportedly, the Russian soldier was killed in battle. While the GER cannot independently verify the texts, the message fits with what the Russian president has been saying in his recent speeches. Increduoulsy, Vladimir Putin urged the Ukranian military to "lay down your weapons and immedi...

Russian Troops Enter Ukraine As Diplomacy Fails To Stop Crisis

22Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Eastern Europe, Geopolitics, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Analysis

Russian Troops Enter Ukraine As Diplomacy Fails To Stop Crisis

Putin Revives Soviet Sentiment, Calls Ukrainians 'Our Comrades' February 22, 2022—Despite nearly non-stop diplomacy by all sides for over a month, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into Ukraine late Monday night. The announcement and troop movement came after Putin recognized the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent countries. Russian President Putin recognizes breakaway republics of Ukraine as independent and signs treaties of friendship. Feb. 21, 2022 Source: Kremlin While many in the West expected a Russian invasion into Ukraine, Russian diplomats continued to deny such a possibility as late as last week during a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. The Security Council met again last night in an emergency session. Ironically, the coun...