By R. Dercksen In order to protect socialist Maduro, woke critics of Trump’s actions in Venezuela forget about the Venezuelan people, who have been robbed, tortured, oppressed and murdered for decades. By a cruel dictator who ignored the election results and is dependent on Cuba, Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah. Does international law, which […]
Trump’s new year’s surprise Read More »
The European Union’s decision to delay the implementation of its deforestation law is increasingly seen as a stark illustration of how difficult it has become for Brussels to project its regulatory power beyond its borders. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), first proposed in 2021, was intended to prevent products linked to deforestation from entering the bloc’s
EUDR delay seen as exposing the limits of the “Brussels effect” Read More »
The Israeli government has approved a plan to expand natural gas production at the Leviathan field in the eastern Mediterranean, enabling a significant increase in gas exports to Egypt over the coming decades. Leviathan, Israel’s largest offshore gas field, is operated by a consortium led by Chevron, alongside NewMed Energy and Ratio Energies. The newly
Israel approves expansion of Leviathan gas production for exports to Egypt Read More »
By Pieter Cleppe The EU summit that blocked the Ukraine loan plan championed by Ursula von der Leyen and Friedrich Merz was widely framed as a setback for European unity. In reality, it was something else entirely: a rare moment where escalation was paused before doing lasting damage. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (picture)
A Belgian EU Summit win Read More »
As diplomatic efforts continue to address the war in Ukraine, developments beyond the battlefield are reshaping the strategic environment of the wider Black Sea region. One of the less visible but increasingly significant dimensions of the conflict concerns energy security and the way energy infrastructure has become entangled in the hostilities. Since the beginning of
A security reset in the Black Sea Region Read More »
The European Union has reached a political agreement to delay and amend its flagship Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), thereby also confirming that books, newspapers and other printed materials will no longer fall under the law’s requirements. After intensive trilogue negotiations on December 4, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU and the European Commission agreed
EU Finalises Delay to Deforestation Rules Read More »
NGOs still remain influential in policy debate on EU spending By Pieter Cleppe The Danish Presidency has ignited a major political storm in Brussels after introducing a last-minute overhaul of the Tobacco Excise Directive (TED) that dramatically raises taxes on heated tobacco products. A newly circulated Council draft reveals that both the Presidency and the
Danish EU Presidency pushes ‘super tax’ on heated tobacco Read More »
Satellite analysis from CSIS indicates that Tehran’s already severe water shortages are worsening at an accelerated pace. President Masoud Pezeshkian issued one of the strongest warnings yet, stating that if meaningful rainfall does not arrive within the next month, Tehran will have to impose water rationing—and, in the most extreme scenario, consider evacuating parts of
Tehran Faces Severe Water Emergency as Drought Deepens and Rationing Looms Read More »
Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly acknowledged that he personally ordered the intensified customs controls that have caused weeks-long traffic jams involving tens of thousands of trucks at the Russian-Kazakhstan border. Speaking at a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 27, Putin told reporters that the measures were necessary to stop massive illegal imports
Putin Takes Responsibility for Huge Truck Queues on Russia-Kazakhstan Border Read More »
European gas storage levels have fallen below the 80% threshold, reigniting concerns in energy markets as an early Arctic blast drives up consumption across the continent. Despite a global supply glut and declining benchmark prices, analysts warn that gas geopolitics remain a dominant factor shaping Europe’s energy landscape. According to energy researcher Francesco Sassi, gas
EU Gas Storage Drops Below 80% as Cold Weather Revives Geopolitical Concerns Read More »