Tag: United Kingdom

When Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked into the White House couple weeks ago, he did not come alone. At his side stood a striking entourage: French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The photo op was no accident. It was a carefully constructed display of solidarity — a demonstration that Europe, in its many forms and factions, is prepared to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine. With Washington debating the scope of America’s role, Zelenskyy’s escorts reminded all parties that Ukraine’s survival and Europe’s stability are inseparable…

At a time when domestic political turmoil seemed to engulf his second term, Emmanuel Macron is experiencing a remarkable political resurrection. His approval rating has jumped from 24 percent in March to 31 percent in April — a phenomenon whose origins lie not in domestic successes but in an unexpected international circumstance: Donald Trump’s hostility toward NATO has suddenly transformed Macron’s long-ridiculed vision of European strategic autonomy into a lucid premonition…

Whether an internationalist or isolationist approach, there are some alliances that will be strategically vital with five countries being at the top of that list…

While there are some long-standing partnerships that continue to endure through time, U.S. politicians will have to become more accustomed to the transactional nature of international diplomacy…

The tech war between countries is well-established – the U.S. and China being the least coy about this battle. There is another (more subtle) war happening…the battle for talent is quietly turning into a more global competition….

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is quietly doing her share to help Italy and greater Europe with little applause…

Everyone knows economists have a poor track record of predicting recessions. Yet, it is hard to ignore the growing consensus among economists that the combination of inflation and interest rate hikes alongside tempered Chinese demand and US economic uncertainty could be the perfect storm for a global recession.

Those same economists, however, disagree on the depth and length of a potential recession as well as the underlying indicators that will answer their questions. Thus, instead of agreeing on a list of indicators, let’s focus on some countries that could be bellwethers for changing headwinds in 2023…

Vaccines gave hope going into 2021…fast forward a year later and the omicron variant is not providing the same confidence, especially with much of the globe still not fully vaccinated and / or without a booster shot. Such a reality has created renewed economic uncertainty. As we enter 2022, there are several countries whose economic trends will provide some insight into the global economy going forward…

France is “America’s oldest friend and Ally” with a relationship “built upon [..] shared commitment to the same values – democracy, human rights, the rule of law, security, and prosperity” according to the State Department. The debacle of last month regarding submarine sales by the U.S. to Australia and a subsequent voiding of a French contract with Australia raises questions about the French-American alliance. Yet an assessment of the other two options in Europe – the U.K. and Germany – suggests France and the U.S. are made for each other…