| | | | Fareed: The Post-American World Is on Display in Davos | | At the World Economic Forum in Davos, the picture of global politics and economics is not a pretty one, Fareed writes in his latest Washington Post column.
"The mood here is subdued, cautious and apprehensive. There's not much talk of a global slowdown, but no one is confident about a growth story, either," Fareed writes.
The absence of global leadership from the US, which pulled its Davos delegation amid the ongoing shutdown, has been noticeable—as have been the absences of UK Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron. Leaders of smaller countries have expressed concerns at Davos that the world lacks direction, without an American presence in global politics in the Trump era.
"This, then, is the post-American world," Fareed writes. "One in which countries are freelancing, narrowly pursuing their own interests, and hoping that the framework of international order remains reasonably stable." | | World Watches and Waits on Venezuela | | After taking sides in Venezuela, the world now watches and waits: The country's military has backed President Nicolas Maduro, while opposition leader Juan Guaido has asked the military commanders to side with "the constitution."
Guaido has been bolstered by President Trump and US allies, but with Maduro's international defenders aiming their criticism at foreign intervention, Bloomberg's Noah Feldman has raised a worthwhile question: Was the US right to support Guaido? Is this anything more than a policy of regime change—and if so, is there a legal basis for it?
While Trump has said "all options" remain on the table, Bloomberg's editorial board warns that if foreign countries are to apply pressure, they'll need to think carefully about how to do it. | | Are the US, China, and Canada Trapped in 'Hostage Diplomacy'? | | | While the US and Canada maintain the arrest of Huawei's CFO is just about law enforcement—not politics—Foreign Affairs' Chimène Keitner writes that President Trump muddied the waters by suggesting in December he would intervene in the case if it would help a US/China trade deal.
China's subsequent arrests of Canadians have been seen as a response, and Keitner worries Trump encouraged this dynamic of "hostage diplomacy." One supporting clue: Canada's ambassador to China had to walk back a comment that Ms. Meng has a "strong case" against extradition partly because of Trump's comments. | | What's in a Name? The Future of Balkan Security, Possibly | | Greeks have long opposed the name of neighboring Macedonia, over concerns that it implies a claim to the Greek territory. While this dispute may seem to be narrow, Greece's agreement Friday over Macedonia's name change—to the "Republic of North Macedonia"—may pave the way for Macedonia to join NATO, NATO's secretary general suggested after the vote in Athens.
It may be the most significant step in Balkan diplomacy since the Bosnian war, Elinda Labropoulu writes for CNN, noting that NATO and the EU see integration of Balkan countries as improving regional stability. On a less hopeful note, NATO's eastern expansion has been a major issue in global security, as it has irked Moscow and is seen as driving President Vladimir Putin's expansionist aims. | | If You Don't Like Politicians, Vote for a Pirate | | European politics have been shaken up by forces of nationalism and populism, producing new parties and hybrid anti-establishment movements, like the Podemos party in Spain, Italy's Five-Star movement, and France's gilets-jaunes.
In the Czech Republic, one such party is looking with confidence at the upcoming European Parliament elections in May: Founded on ideas of transparency, direct democracy, and freedom of information, the Pirate Party is poised to send representatives to Brussels, Politico EU reports, fueled by the same disillusionment with traditional parties that has brought realignments elsewhere. | | | | | | |
