Geopolitical Monitor - Opinion - Editorials on Pressing Geopolitical Issues in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East

Bank and financial systems have yet to reach their potential in Russia. Unlike in developed countries where financial systems have become the main instruments of economic development, growth, and competition, Russia banks still remain plagued by their inability to secure access to significant capital. Russian banks and financial institutions are also associated internationally by their relationships with, so-called, oligarchs or even the state, says Alessandro Bruno of Geopoliticalmonitor.com.

Although Russia has been a longstanding patron of the Syrian government, Moscow may soon find that its support for the beleaguered regime is a trap of its own making, says Anthony Rusonik of Geopoliticalmonitor.com.

Today in Canada Albertans go to the polls in what could be an upset for the incumbent Progressive Conservatives. Polls suggest that the Wildrose Party, dubbed the ‘tea party of the north’, is poised for victory after 41 years of PC governance in the province. While it would be easy for Canadians to dismiss this election as just another step to the right by Alberta’s already conservative voters, it would be a mistake to believe that the results will only affect Albertans.

In Israel’s fractious politics, parties poised as ‘centrist’ have repeatedly proven themselves long on well-meaning rhetoric but short on survivability. Kadima, Ariel Sharon’s brainchild, broke part of the mold in 2006 by becoming the first and only such party to win a parliamentary majority and to lead a governing coalition. Yet, only three years later, it consigned itself to the opposition despite commanding the lead at the ballots for the second time straight.

In the past six months, Brazilian President Dilma Roussef has mounted an intriguing doctrinal challenge to the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ (R2P) Doctrine with a concept the Brazilian government calls ‘Responsibility while Protecting” (RwP) - demonstrating Brazil’s newfound determination to stake its claim as an ideological heavyweight in international affairs discourse.

The U.S. and other Western nations must take an even tougher stance with Iran to achieve their aims and maintain stability.

This week, Will Sapp of Geopoliticalmonitor.com publishes an exclusive interview from Ottawa with Sheryl Saperia, Director of Policy for Canada from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).  

Iran is currently sending two distinct messages to the West:  1) Iran is willing to cooperate with the IAEA and engage in productive diplomatic discussions; 2) Iran is hell-bent on the destruction of Israel and is only interested in engaging in protracted diplomatic discussions to delay its inevitable pursuit of enriched uranium. The question the international community faces now is which to listen to.

2011 was poor for the Obama Administration in most of the Islamic world. Throughout the past twelve months, the Obama White House vacillated when it needed to take action, supported corrupt allies at the expense of progressive forces, and came to loggerheads with its most enduring allies in the region. The result is the impending decline of American influence in the Middle East and the broader Islamic world.

How to deal with North Korean refugees is currently one of the hottest issues in China and South Korea’s bilateral relationship. It exposes the dilemma facing China of how to deal with two very different political halves of the divided Korean peninsula, and the resulting constraints on regional cooperation in Asia.