Spotlight on Geopolitics – Spotlight on Geopolitics by Florian Pantazi

The EU’s Canary in the Coal Mine

January 13, 2021

Since 1945, Australia became a welcoming home for millions of desperate Europeans fleeing war-ravaged economies or communist rule. It’s now time for Europe to show similar solidarity and delay the ratification of the CAI with China, until such time as the authorities in Beijing give up their commercial punitive actions against Australia and live up… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, E.U., economics, geo-economics, trade

From Tiananmen to Hong Kong via Timisoara

July 10, 2020

First, as a responsible major country, China stands upright with honour. We never strong-arm others, never seek supremacy, never withdraw from commitments, never bully others, and never complain. The word ‘coercion’ has nothing to do with China. — Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, October 2019 If anyone cares to listen to the Chinese Foreign… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, China, E.U.

The Nazification of China’s Communist Party

June 1, 2020

“Fascism combats the whole complex system of democratic ideology, and repudiates it, whether in its theoretical premises or in its practical application. Fascism denies that the majority, by the simple fact that it is a majority, can direct human society” (Benito Mussolini speech in 1932, “What is Fascism ?”) Mike Pompeo’s latest declaration… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, China, E.U., USA

Why the EU is Wrong About US Criticism of the WHO

May 20, 2020

This week’s World Health Assembly videoconference did nothing but provide an opportunity for China to take center stage in the debate about the handling of the coronavirus pandemic and for the United States to be paraded as the villain of the piece. As matters now stand, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the proposed “review”… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, E.U., USA

EU Diplomacy’s Munich 2.0 Moment

May 9, 2020

European diplomatic traditions, which are some of the most illustrious in the world, have not prevented the External Action Service from writing one of the most inept letters I have ever read. After months of China’s diplomatic bullying, aimed at changing the pandemic narrative in its favour, is this ill-conceived message addressed to the Chinese… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, China, E.U., France

Chinese Diplomacy and the Wuhan Virus

March 31, 2020

“The geography of infectious disease is important because, as living organisms, pathogens—that is, the bacteria, viruses, and other microparasitic entities that cause disease—all have histories linked to time and place. Every widely distributed disease originated as a local outbreak.” (Monica H. Green, “Climate and Diseases in Medieval Eurasia”, 2018) One of the most… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

China’s Overdue Political Reforms

February 23, 2020

A few years ago Xi, China’s communist dictator, has toured Belgian universities. On that occasion, he tried to persuade Belgium’s would-be experts and intellectuals that in China no other political system has ever worked except the one he was embodying, at home and abroad. By using such blatant lies, Xi’s aim is to shore up… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, China, E.U.

China: the Giant Leap Backwards

January 25, 2020

The sudden outbreak of the coronavirus is only the latest misfortune to affect the current Chinese leadership. The other two – continuous unrest in Hong Kong and the electoral victory of the anti-Beijing presidential candidate in Taiwan – have been substantial upsets for Beijing. Truth be told, the outside world had invested in China’s emerging… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, China

Italy and the Euro

June 17, 2018

The change of government in Italy calls into question the German leadership of the European Union, which was myopic at best. Italy has never benefited from the introduction of the euro. Its GDP per capita after the introduction of the common currency has stagnated. German-imposed austerity measures and the lack of solidarity among member countries… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, E.U., economics, euro

A Bad Case of Ottomanism

February 22, 2018

When the AKP Islamic Party came to power in Turkey at the turn of the century, the event was saluted by many specialists as a victory for political Islam. For an entire decade, Turkey became a model of Islamic democracy envied by many in the Arab world. The 2011 revolutions were ignited by the hope… » read more

Posted by Spotlight on Geopolitics

External Relations

, E.U., Greece, Middle East, NATO, Turkey

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