Ted Snider

The United States is working hard to create a global narrative of itself as the leader of a generational struggle to advance democracy, peace, and international law and push back the forces of autocracy, aggression, and erosion of the rule of law. The facts look strangely different than the fiction. While the U.S. is energetically … Continue reading “China’s Rising Diplomatic Power”

On July 28, Venezuela held its national election. The most recent results released by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council say that the incumbent president, and successor to Hugo Chávez, Nicolás Maduro received 51.95% of the vote versus 43.18% for the opposition candidate, Edmundo González. The opposition has countered with the claim that Gonzales defeated Maduro by … Continue reading “The US Has No Right to Interfere in Venezuela’s Election”

In recent weeks, a flurry of unexpected talks and signals of willingness for talks have taken place that provide hope in a number of war zones. The U.S. is talking to Russia, there are openings for Russia to talk to Ukraine, Ukraine is talking to China, and China is talking to Palestine. At the beginning … Continue reading “Look Who’s Talking: America, Russia, Ukraine, China, and Palestine”

Editor’s Note:  This article was written just before President Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election. U.S. President Joe Biden’s signature defense of his accomplishments and record is that he energized NATO and put together a coalition of fifty countries to oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin. But it was not Biden that reenergized NATO, … Continue reading “Deflating Biden’s Boast on NATO”

Though hope, which has raised its head before only to be decapitated, may be too optimistic a word, recent changes in tone, coming from many parties to the conflict, forecast the chance that negotiations to end the war on Ukraine are, at least, peaking above the horizon. Those changes come from recent European elections, upcoming … Continue reading “Could a Change in Tone Lead to Peace Talks in Ukraine?”

The American-led isolation of Iran is springing leaks all over. It seems that wherever Iran knocks, everyone answers. Except the United States. Instead, the U.S. continues to close the door, following a long pattern with Iran of undermining its own interests. In 2016, Bahrain followed Saudi Arabia in cutting ties with Iran. But in 2024, … Continue reading “The US Continues To Undermine Its Own Interests in Iran”

The NATO Summit and 75th anniversary celebration has concluded. In its congratulatory celebration of itself, it revealed itself to be as detached from reality as it is anachronistic. There were many assertions that had no basis in reality, but there were four big ones that stood out. NATO is a Peaceful Alliance that Poses a … Continue reading “NATO Summit’s Declaration: Fiction Versus Reality”

Reprinted from The Nation with permission. If diplomacy can pave the path to peace, then broken diplomatic promises can lead to war. Since the hopeful end of the Cold War, four key promises were made by the West. Each of them was intended to pave the path to the new and stable era of peace, … Continue reading “NATO’s 75th Anniversary: The Broken Promises That Led to War”

The West has repeatedly dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offers to negotiate without even exploring them. They have repeated the claim that Putin is not serious about negotiating and that he offers only ultimatums without being willing to compromise. But former Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Chalyi, a former member of Ukraine’s negotiating … Continue reading “Is Putin Prepared To Compromise?”

Another year of war and another NATO summit, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is still not going to get the NATO membership Ukrainians are fighting and dying for. At last year’s NATO summit, Zelensky was offered only “an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met.” “Ukraine isn’t ready … Continue reading “The NATO Summit Is on July 9, but Zelensky Is Already Angry”