The year of the fake election

Eight of the ten most populous countries in the world – Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia and the United States – will hold elections in 2024, but far from celebrating democracy, many of these exercises will merely rubber stamp the governing regime in polls which are neither free nor fair.

Rally round Ukraine

The Russian attack on Ukraine was one of the main subjects discussed at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting, where President Volodymyr Zelensky was given a warm reception by the democratic world.

Democracy in the dock

By curious coincidence, three prominent leaders have been put on trial in recent days for multiple serious crimes against their respective nations. The very different ways in which the trials were conducted, their impact on democracy, and the public reactions deserve examination.

Power plays

The rhetoric from global leaders is moving the narrative of global war closer to reality and Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia hasn’t helped.

Global prospects for 2023

While summer holidays draw to a close in Australia, much of the globe’s north is being overwhelmed by a rising tide of unresolved issues which will be discussed in Davos in Switzerland.

The wider world in 2022

2022 saw welcome changes in some nations and global support for Ukraine against the Russian onslaught, the ongoing challenges of climate change and food insecurity demonstrate that much of the battle still lies ahead. 

A descent into the maelström

From Russia’s war in Ukraine to market turbulence and chaotic leadership in the UK, the world has entered a stormy era with no sign of calm on the horizon.

A hard rain falls

After decades of relative stability, the world is being swept by violence, revolution, economic turmoil and political change.

God save the King

The long reign of Queen Elizabeth II will be a hard act to follow but Charles has served a long apprenticeship and appears determined to protect the Monarchy and carve out his own place in history.

Friends of Putin

While Vladimir Putin is ostracized from Europe and the USA, he is far from friendless in the world, as dictators and would-be despots realise that defeat for Putin would undermine their own self-serving ambitions.

When good men do nothing

Russia’s vile atrocities against Ukrainian civilians is deliberate and systematic, and yet even the horrors of Bucha are not enough to stir the West into full scale economic and military action against Putin’s terrorist regime.

Europe turns blue and gold for Ukraine

After two decades of ignoring or appeasing Vladimir Putin’s bluster and aggression, European leaders have finally faced the reality of the angry and voracious bear on their borders.