Competition during the Cold War gave countries a stark choice. Join reform movements or align with authoritarian kleptocratic governments. Today, Sudan is a new frontline for Great Power competition. Russia backed the military coup of October 25, 2021, that killed scores of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators. Alternatively, the US supports the forces of freedom and change. Other African countries are gauging events in Sudan to determine whether they will align with US-backed reforms or the Russian-inspired military dictatorship.
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By David L. Phillips
Friday, February 18, 2022
Vladimir Putin maintains that Russian forces are withdrawing from the frontline with Ukraine. He made similar claims of withdrawing Russian troops from Syria, which were also untrue. As NATO calibrates its response to Russia’s aggression, Western leaders must judge Putin by what he does – not what he says.
By David L. Phillips
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Vladimir Putin is fomenting a crisis in Ukraine to undermine Euro-Atlantic institutions and drive a wedge between the US and its allies. Germany is the crucial link. Historical, cultural, and economic relations with Russia make the new German coalition government, led by Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party, especially vulnerable to Russia’s influence.
German policy towards Russia is shaped by history. World War II still influences the worldview of many Germans. Pacifism is engrained at the core of German identity.
By David L. Phillips
Thursday, January 13, 2022
“Rules are rules”, said Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the so-called Djokovic affair. Whatever you think of Mr. Morrison and his draconian immigration policies, Novak Djokovic should be deported from Australia for violating the law. He deserves scorn for knowingly exposing youth to the COVID-19 virus. Djokovic showed he is a Serbian nationalist by turning his immigration status into a political spectacle.
by David L. Phillips
Friday, November 5, 2021
Sudan’s General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan suspended constitutional power-sharing with civilian authorities and arrested Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other members of the government on October 25, 2021. The US and other members of the international community condemned the coup. Through its silence, China is an accomplice to Burhan’s power-grab.