A Shift to the BRIC
- World
- International Organizations
- East Asia-Pacific
- European Eurasia
- South Asia & Central Asia
- The Americas
Synopsis: The Avenger has his plaid panties in a bunch about a serious global shift that started during the big G-20 in Pittsburgh last week: a move to more representative economic and political power on the world stage. Listen as the plaid one explains the background of the G-20 evolution, and the impacts of the most recent G-20 party….specifically for the BRIC countries….as they redistribute voting power in global institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Gee golly, its G-20 genius!
Related Stories:
G-20: New Clout, New Responsibilities
G-20 Agrees to Boost Emerging Nations Clout at IMF, World Bank
BRICs stand by demand for bigger share of IMF votes
Keywords: BRIC, G-20, G-7, G-8, IMF, World Bank
Proliferation Frustration
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: Listen as the Plaid Avenger spouts prophetically about nuclear proliferation on the heels of a historic meeting of the UN Permanent Security Council chaired by US President Barack Obama. Details include the structure of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), its weaknesses and issues in today’s world, and how Obama and the funky P5+1 bunch hope to strengthen it for the future…specifically the future of dealing with Iran and its nuclear ambitions. NPT Party On!
Related Stories:
Obama At the UNGA, Four Pillars
Key elements in UN nuclear resolution
Iran's Nuclear Program
IAEA: Iran on wrong side of law
Keywords: NPT, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, US, Obama, UN Security Council, P5+1, Iran
So Long Supposed Shield!
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: Last week US President Barack Obama canceled plans for setting up the controversial missile defense shield in Eastern Europe…specifically in Poland and the Czech Republic. This move not only significantly alters US relations with Russia, but has caused an outpouring of anger from pro-shield protagonists. Watch the Plaid Avenger rant and rage about what the ‘supposed’ shield is, and why its shelving has very little consequence for the US, Eastern Europe, or even Iran.
Related Stories:
Missile Defense Didn't Win the Cold War
Missile Defense and the Geopolitics of Proliferation
Missile Shield Decision Is Exception to Obama’s Moderate Foreign Policy
Keywords: US, missile defense shield, Russia, Eastern Europe, Barack Obama, Iran, NATO, MAD
Bad Bombing Causing Fallout for Favored Fräulein
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: September is turning into a seriously sloppy surprise for Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. After German forces in NATO were to blame for a bloody civilian bombing accident, Merkel and her country have been berated and badgered by fellow NATO allies….but that’s just the tip of the weinerschnitzel for Merkel. This misplaced mortar may be responsible for her losing a re-election bid, as her political opponents try to rally a overwhelmingly anti-war German public to vote to end Germany’s participation in the NATO Afghan campaign. The Avenger describes this situation, and why this election has repercussions for the US, for NATO, for Afghanistan, and the world.
Related Stories:
Mrs. Merkel's War
The Left party trumps with anti-war card in election campaign
In Afghanistan, Germany is the Weakest Link
Germany’s Merkel under siege after Afghanistan airstrike
German election: Left tries to make war a decisive campaign issue
Keywords: Angela Merkel, Germany, NATO, Afghanistan, US, EU-3
Iranian Issue Emboldens Europeans
watch on iPhone/iPod TouchSynopsis: As Iran continues to develop its nuclear energy industry, the US and Team West as a whole are increasingly worried that the Iranians are actually wanting to develop a nuclear weapon. The P5 +1 (5 members of the UN Permanent Security Council + Germany) are debating about increasing sanctions and/or incentives on Iran in order to reel in their nuclear ambition. Whether any of the P5 + 1 actions will actually work is anybody’s guess, but the Plaid Avenger wants you to be aware that the whole situation marks a new era in assertive foreign policy for two of the EU’s super-powers: Germany & France. Merkel & Sarkozy: a new axis of ass-kicking foreign policy?
Related Stories:
US faces a tough choice on Iran
Merkel Signals Support for Tougher Iran Sanctions
Tough talk toward Iran as deadline month begins
Western Powers Push For Fresh Iran Sanctions
Keywords: P5 + 1, Iran, US, Angela Merkel, Germany, Nicolas Sarkozy, France, IAEA, nuclear energy, nuclear weapon, Russia, China, UK
