While the main stories out of the European Union center on the economic and financial fiasco that the block has been suffering through for years, the Professor actually sees a much bigger issue forming behind the scenes: a true ideological division of the EU, epitomized by the diverging roles of the 3 biggest players in the bunch…the EU-3! France suddenly has a new-found military leadership prowess; the Germans remain the bank and fiscal boss of Europe; and the Brits (who have never had a leadership role in the EU) are seemingly ready to bail out of the union altogether! This is much more than the standard disenchanted disagreements….this smells more like a devolution!
Keywords: EU, European Union, France, Germany, UK, US, Mali, devolution
In another 2013 world leader update, the Professor focuses on France, where a surprising turn of events has suddenly shown French President François Hollande as a force to be reckoned with, nationally and internationally no less! With his political party and allies commanding a majority of the government, he has the power to make things happen, and he is now riding that train for all it’s worth here at the onset of the new year. From tax policy to labor contracts to social policy, Hollande is moving forward with clarity and resolution that is enviable in most of the other grid-locked democracies. And the final kicker? Hollande has now thrust France back into the international power regime by sending troops to take back Mali from radical Islamist and terrorist groups! France leading the way militarily? How the hell did that happen? Who knows, but this Hollande guy is one to watch as he brings France back into contention as a significant global player.
Keywords: France, taxes, austerity, social policy, gay rights, labor reform, Germany, Europe, US, Mali, Islamist, terrorists, colonial power, West Africa, war on terror
Sacré bleu et un skunk de pew! The center-left Socialist Party of France has now swept into power and controls the entire government…both the Presidency and the entire Parliament are center-left, which means they have a mandate from the people, and the political power, to create all kinds of new policies to deal with the current European economic meltdown. This is setting up an ideological showdown between left and right about the role of government and how to fix the economy…a showdown not just in France, but in Europe as a whole. Oh, and that in turn will affect the whole planet! Is a resurgence of socialist forces worldwide underway? We shall see, based mostly on how the French fare with their leftist leanings…
The Russian throw-down has officially occurred:! Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it crystal clear (through words, actions, and official visits) that he sees Russia’s future in the East, not the West. Listen as the Professor points out all the Puin moves that make this assessment entirely obvious….including multiple disses of Team West on the G-8, on Syria, and on missile defense, while further embracing China, the SCO, and a “Eurasian Trade Union.”
Putin sez: “The fundamental interests [of Moscow and Beijing] coincide broadly both in international and economic affairs.”
Hu Jintao sez: “I am firmly convinced that your visit will contribute to further development of all-embracing strategic partnership and cooperation.”
Can you feel the love? I can smell it from here.
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