The Republic of Abkhazia is back in the news following the conclusion of its presidential runoff elections. Former President Aslan Bzhania resigned in late 2024 amid civil unrest sparked by a proposed Russian-Abkhazian “investment agreement” widely perceived as a threat to Abkhazian sovereignty. Unlike other separatist territories in the former Soviet Union, Abkhazia has long … Continue reading “Kosovo, Taiwan… Abkhazia? Self-Determination Shouldn’t Be Selective”
Joseph D. Terwilliger
Torjuntavoitto: The Finnish Strategy That Could Save Ukraine
After three years of stagnation, this past week saw clear steps towards peace in Ukraine. Trump and Putin spoke on the phone, and US and Russian negotiators met face to face in Saudi Arabia for the first time in years. Trump said explicitly that he was “okay” with Russia’s demand that Ukraine be denied membership … Continue reading “Torjuntavoitto: The Finnish Strategy That Could Save Ukraine”
Greenlandic Grievances With Denmark and Trump’s Annexation Plan
One of my favorite places on Earth, Greenland, has suddenly become the center of worldwide attention as US President Donald Trump reiterated his 2019 proposal that the US should do whatever it takes to acquire Greenland from Denmark. Trump’s interest stems from Greenland’s strategic location between the US and Russia, its large untapped deposits of … Continue reading “Greenlandic Grievances With Denmark and Trump’s Annexation Plan”
Is Trump’s Plan To Take Greenland To Control Arctic Shipping Lanes?
Donald Trump’s recent flirtations with acquiring Greenland, Canada and the Panama Canal are not new ideas. They all relate to a single strategic objective: controlling shipping lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The US has long been a champion of “freedom of navigation”, using military force to police the world’s seaways, from the South … Continue reading “Is Trump’s Plan To Take Greenland To Control Arctic Shipping Lanes?”
How the US Uses and Abuses Latin America
On January 10, 2025, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) posted a $25 million reward (up from a paltry $15 million) for information leading to the arrest of “former” Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and associates, just as he was taking the oath of office in Caracas for his third term as President. Maduro had been … Continue reading “How the US Uses and Abuses Latin America”
Sue Mi Terry: When FARA Applies to US Allies
Last week, I wrote a detailed analysis of how the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA) has become a tool of government overreach, often used selectively to stigmatize inconvenient voices, control narratives, and criminalize ordinary interactions with foreign entities. Today, I explore how Dr. Sue Mi Terry’s recent indictment under FARA flips the script: … Continue reading “Sue Mi Terry: When FARA Applies to US Allies”
How the Foreign Agents Law Is Used To Silence American Dissidents
Democrats speak of the fight against “Russian disinformation,” while the Republicans pledge to combat “fake news” about Israel. Whatever you choose to call it, there is a bipartisan effort to rein in our First Amendment protections, which former Secretary of State John Kerry recently referred to as a “major block” to the government’s ability to … Continue reading “How the Foreign Agents Law Is Used To Silence American Dissidents”
Friends With (Geopolitical) Benefits: How Russia and North Korea Are Changing the Game
Recent reports suggest that North Korean (DPRK) troops may be assisting Russia in its war with Ukraine – a development that underscores their growing strategic partnership, formalized by a treaty pledging mutual military, economic, and cultural cooperation. This alliance, formalized through a recently enacted treaty, could bolster Vladimir Putin’s position ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration … Continue reading “Friends With (Geopolitical) Benefits: How Russia and North Korea Are Changing the Game”
How Yoon’s Martial Law Blunder Could Help Trump Make Peace
In South Korea, it is considered to be a curse, rather than a blessing, to suggest to someone that their child could grow up to become president one day. To see why, just look at their track record. Rhee Syngman was forced into exile after a “color revolution,” Park Chung-Hee was assassinated, Yun Po-Sun and … Continue reading “How Yoon’s Martial Law Blunder Could Help Trump Make Peace”
No, Kim Jong Un Did Not Close the Door to Diplomacy With the US
On November 22, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un gave a speech at the opening ceremony of a military hardware exhibition called “Defense Development -2024.” The New Republic’s spin on this speech went so far as to claim that “North Korea’s Kim Jong Un tells Trump to screw off – The North Korean leader has no … Continue reading “No, Kim Jong Un Did Not Close the Door to Diplomacy With the US”