America

Will the Taliban take over Afghanistan in the coming months?

6 Jul 2021

Iran plays chess, the US plays backgammon

9 Jan 2020

A self-inflicted wound: Trump surrenders the West’s “moral high ground”

14 Oct 2019

Trump’s Trade Wars: A New World Order?

23 Sept 2019

Saudi oil attacks put US commitments to the test

19 Sept 2019

Could Detained American Hurt US-Egypt Relations: 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

1. US-Egypt economic cooperation strengthens Egypt and the US on Sunday signed four grant agreements for cooperation in the fields of higher education, science, technology, health, trade and investment, worth about US$60 million. Egyptian Minister of Investment and International Cooperation Sahar Nasr signed the agreements with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director in Egypt, Sherry Carlin. This is a positive sign that Egypt and the US’s multi-sector relationship is growing and as healthy as ever. 2. Judicial cooperation signed last month In addition to the multi-sector growing economic cooperation between the US and Egypt, Egypt’s Public Prosecutor Nabil Sadek and United States Attorney General in the Donald Trump administration William Barr signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding for judicial cooperation in Washington. The cooperation memorandum was signed based on “the desire of the two sides to work for the interest of justice and the establishment of the state of law,” a statement by the Egyptian side said. This is a positive sign of cooperation in an area around which there has been a lot of controversy. Subscribe to unlock the other 3 Points We wish we didn't have to do this, but only paid subscribers can read the full article, Unlike other publishers, we are not the beneficiaries of State funds and are entirely dependent on our supporters to keep KJ Vids functioning. Please subscribe to read the rest of the article. 3. Hope for a defence cooperation from Egypt 4. American detained in Egypt 5. America re-assured by Egypt-Israel gas deal By investing in KJ Vids, you are investing in yourself Our content succinctly contextualises the key geopolitical trends you need to know in order to make sense of world events. We can assure you that a regular dose of our content will be as healthy as fruit and vegetables for your mind. Subscribe for only £10 a month.

13 Aug 2019

Will Turkey Invade Syria? 5 Geopolitical Points You Need to Know

1. The recent collapse of ceasefire: a bad sign The collapse of the ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib province has triggered “total panic” and threatened the lives of millions, according to the UN. A short truce declared by the Syrian regime this week in the country’s north-west was finished and fighting resumed immediately. The United Nations has raised a specific alarm about the risks of a massive government offensive in the area because Idlib has for several years served as a reception zone for those escaping government advances elsewhere in the country. This is a negative sign of the prospects of the Syrian civil war coming to an end, as the government seems persistence in its aggression, even through a ceasefire, and the rebels refuse to back down. 2. Turkey and Syria quarrel over Syria As Syria’s future remains unknown, Turkey and the US are engaged in a diplomatic fight for influence in the North of Syria. On Sunday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey, which already has a foothold in northwest Syria, will carry out a military operation in a Kurdish-controlled area east of the Euphrates in northern Syria against the US-backed Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) that Ankara views as a terrorist group. The US has warned against this action and asked to step up talks for its prevention. However, if Erdogan insists and goes ahead with his plans, violence could ensue, which would cause a complete break of US-Turkey relations, as well as worsening the situation in Syria. Subscribe to unlock the other 3 Points We wish we didn't have to do this, but only paid subscribers can read the full article, Unlike other publishers, we are not the beneficiaries of State funds and are entirely dependent on our supporters to keep KJ Vids functioning. Please subscribe to read the rest of the article. 3. Isis reappearing in Syria 4. Fear of Turkish invasion 5. Ray of hope for Syrian refugees? By investing in KJ Vids, you are investing in yourself Our content succinctly contextualises the key geopolitical trends you need to know in order to make sense of world events. We can assure you that a regular dose of our content will be as healthy as fruit and vegetables for your mind. Subscribe for only £10 a month.

10 Aug 2019

US-France Trade War? 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

1. France to continue technology tax despite US threat France’s finance minister says that it will continue to carry out a plan to tax technology firms, despite a threat of tariffs on French goods from US President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. France’s senate had passed the controversial bill earlier this month, and it was signed into law by President Emmanuel Macron this week. The bill places a 3 percent tax on technology firms that earn more than €750 million ($834 million) in global revenue and €25 million in France, and would target the revenue that those companies earn in the country. That would affect nearly 30 companies around the world, not just firms from the United States. US president Trump responded by tweeting yesterday that the White House will “announce a substantial reciprocal action,” and that he could levy a tax against French wine, while The Office of the United States Trade Representative had also opened an investigation into the tax. Despite this France is showing no signs of stopping the tax, and is set to go ahead with it as planned. 2. France follows US in launching Space Force In another move that seems to challenge the US, months after President Donald Trump announced the creation of the U.S. Space Force, France is beginning to lay the groundwork for its own version. Macron announced last month that the nation’s air force will establish a space command for the purpose of national defense, particularly to protect French satellites. The French military currently operates a constellation of three Syracuse satellites that are primarily used for communication between the mainland and French troops deployed abroad. But after the new cameras are tried and tested, France will launch another generation of Syracuse satellites that will also be able to destroy enemy satellites. The upgraded Syracuse satellites will be armed with either submachine guns or lasers that could disable or even destroy another satellite, according to Le Point; France aims to have those space weapons fully operational in orbit by 2030. France’s minister of armed forces Florence Parly, said “We will conduct a reasoned arsenalization.” This is a sign that France is responding to the US’s own arsenalization, initiating a space rivalry, despite Parly denying an arms race in space. Subscribe to Unlock the other 3 Points We wish we didn't have to do this, but only paid subscribers can read the full article, Unlike other publishers, we do not rely on volunteers and pay all our analysts, editors and designers to produce quality content. 3. France could move towards Asia 4. Possibly a sign of Trump’s opposition to the EU 5. Cooperation on the strait of Hormuz continues By investing in KJ Vids, you are investing in yourself Our content succinctly contextualises the key geopolitical trends you need to know in order to make sense of world events. We can assure you that a regular dose of our content will be as healthy as fruit and vegetables for your mind. Try us out with a 14-day free trial.

3 Aug 2019

US-Russia Renewed Tensions: 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

Members Only Sorry, but this is a members only article. We wish we didn't have to do this, but quality analyses costs money. Unlike other publishers, we do not rely on volunteers and pay all our analysts, editors and designers to produce quality content. By investing in KJ Vids, you are investing in yourself Our content succinctly contextualises the key geopolitical trends you need to know in order to make sense of world events. We can assure you that a regular dose of our content will be better for your mind then fruit and vegetables. Try us out with a 14-day free trial. Once you have signed up, you can read the five points in this article; 1. The US pulls out of the nuclear deal 2. Fears of arms race 3. US and Russian diplomats met earlier this month 4. Is this going against the trend of easing relations? 5. Trump increases sanctions

2 Aug 2019

US-Thailand Strengthening Relations: 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

Members Only Sorry, but this is a members only article. We wish we didn't have to do this, but quality analyses costs money. Unlike other publishers, we do not rely on volunteers and pay all our analysts, editors and designers to produce quality content. By investing in KJ Vids, you are investing in yourself Our content succinctly contextualises the key geopolitical trends you need to know in order to make sense of world events. We can assure you that a regular dose of our content will be better for your mind then fruit and vegetables. Try us out with a 14-day free trial. Once you have signed up, you can read the five points in this article; 1. Why Thailand is important to the US 2. New military vehicle deal shows the development of relations 3. The US certifies Thailand as a democracy 4. Thailand wants more cooperation 5. Stronger currency marks problem

1 Aug 2019

US-China Trade War: 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

Members Only Sorry, but this is a members only article. We wish we didn't have to do this, but quality analyses costs money. Unlike other publishers, we do not rely on volunteers and pay all our analysts, editors and designers to produce quality content. By investing in KJ Vids, you are investing in yourself Our content succinctly contextualises the key geopolitical trends you need to know in order to make sense of world events. We can assure you that a regular dose of our content will be better for your mind then fruit and vegetables. Try us out with a 14-day free trial. Once you have signed up, you can read the five points in this article; 1. Origins of the trade war 2. China feeling manufacturing strain 3. Tariffs backfiring on US 4. China’s rich evading tariffs 5. Hong Kong deeply affected

1 Aug 2019

US-Indian Relations: 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

1. How Trump’s recent comments on Kashmir influence US-India relations While US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan helped to bring a process of normalisation in US-Pakistani ties and provided optimism for both sides, it sent a negative signal to India, as Trump’s comments on Kashmir directly contradict India’s long-standing position, that has been that Kashmir is a bilateral issue that needs to be negotiated directly between India and Pakistan. Since the meeting, India has denied that PM Narendra Modi asked US President Donald Trump to mediate in the longstanding Kashmir conflict with Pakistan. This unexpected downturn briefly threatened to harm U.S.-India relations, which is already facing a number of other drawbacks. For instance, India’s decision to buy the S-400 air defense missile from Russia sets them up for the U.S. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), even though India felt that the capabilities that it was acquiring with the missile were too important for it to give in to the U.S. objections about buying the missile. 2. US economic impact on India India’s economic relationship with the US has been at the heart of its economic growth in recent times and a crucial enabling factor for it. India now wants to continue to utilise this relationship and grow economic ties in its ambitious mission to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024. Secretary-General of CUTS International, Pradeep Mehta, added that India can balance the current world order by engaging deeper with the US. A big part of this interaction is military sales, which will be examined in the next point. 3. US approves the mass military sale to India As part of its efforts to enhance India’s defence capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, the Trump Administration notified the Congress on Friday of its decision to approve foreign military sales worth $670 million to support India’s C-17 military transport aircraft. “India needs this follow-on support to maintain its operational readiness and ability to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) assistance in the region,” the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement. It appears that the US has placed its trust in India to serve its interests in the reason, which displays a positive growth of US-India cooperation.

29 Jul 2019

Turkey-US F-35s Clash: 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

1. Russia’s s400 transfer to Turkey has begun While the first deliveries of the S-400 to Turkey started more than 10 days ago, the defence ministries of both Turkey and Russia continue to publicly report on the details of every arrival sent from Russia. On July 19, the Turkish Defense Ministry said one more Il-76MD cargo aircraft carrying parts of the missile system arrived at the Murted air base near Ankara and pointed out that the supplies were being received “as scheduled.” Ironically, while Turkey does not seem concerned about America’s reaction to this, Russian media outlets are continuously pondering the risks that this deal may bring to Moscow in terms of American discontent, as well as certain Russian politicians reportedly having doubts over the deal. Another reason for Russia’s scepticism is Erdogan’s uncertain future as popularity for opposition grows. However, transfer of the system is expected to continue unless further developments arise. 2. US threatens to remove Turkey from the F35 program The response from the US has been negative as expected, as the US said last week it was removing NATO ally Turkey from the F-35 programme, as long threatened, after Ankara purchased and received Russian S-400 missile defence systems that Washington sees as a threat. Furthermore, they have threatened to impose sanctions on Turkey if the transfer continues. It remains to be seen whether the US will go through with these threats, as Turkey is expected to continue installing the Russian system. 3. Erdogan playing tough Despite the US’s threats, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has maintained his stance and dismissed the intimidation from Washington. Erdogan stated that said that Turkey will turn elsewhere for fighter jets if the United States does not sell it the F-35 aircraft, adding that Ankara planned to start using the Russian S-400 missile defence system in April 2020. Erdogan said: “Are you not giving us the F-35s? OK, then excuse us but we will once again have to take measures on that matter as well and we will turn elsewhere.” This is a bold move by Erdogan, but also one that puts Washington in a tough position, as should they stop the sale of F35s to Turkey, they will probably enhance the issue they are ‘punishing’ them for, which is buying weaponry from Russia.

26 Jul 2019

Imran Khan’s Trump Meeting: 5 Geopolitical Effects You Need to Know

1. Trump’s lack of respect for Pakistan Upon Pakistani PM Imran Khan’s arrival in the US, No US official from the Trump administration was present to greet and receive him. Khan did not receive the state protocol given to heads of the government who arrive on an official trip to the U.S. PM Khan took the bus to the airport terminal and was instead welcomed at the airport by his foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The Trump administration did not give a reason for this absence, however, it is clear, that it was a signal from Trump that he was not happy with the way in which Khan has been dealing with the situation in Afghanistan. Furthermore, it is a signal of the weak relations Pakistan and the US have developed that must be repaired as soon as possible. 2. Afghanistan de-escalation During the meeting between President Trump and PM Khan which took place at the White House, Trump said that Pakistan was helping the US to “extricate” its troops from Afghanistan, through political negotiations. Prime Minister Khan displayed his agreement and acknowledgement of this, saying: “There is no military solution in Afghanistan. If you go all-out military, millions and millions of people will die.” However, Trump also attempted to pressure Imran Khan to convince the Taliban to strike a peace deal with the Afghan government to avoid unnecessary violence, stating that “We’re like policemen. We’re not fighting a war. If we wanted to fight a war in Afghanistan and win it, I could win that war in a week. But I don’t want to kill 10 million people. Afghanistan could be wiped off the face of the Earth. I don’t want to go that route.” Nevertheless, the comments from Trump and Khan display a willingness to work together to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan as soon as possible.

24 Jul 2019

Imran Khan and Trump: From Ugly to Good

23 Jul 2019

Iran’s CIA arrests claimed as “propaganda by a religious regime”

23 Jul 2019

Why is there a special relationship between America and Israel?

27 Feb 2019

Does America need Saudi Arabia?

30 Oct 2018