Thursday, September 11, 2025

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Thursday, September 11, 2025 | Latest Paper

Global Affairs

Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 10, 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu
With the bombing of Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it blindingly clear he wants to avoid a ceasefire in Gaza, writes Gwynne Dyer. UN photograph courtesy of Loey Felipe
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 10, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 10, 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu
With the bombing of Qatar, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it blindingly clear he wants to avoid a ceasefire in Gaza, writes Gwynne Dyer. UN photograph courtesy of Loey Felipe
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 9, 2025
Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was a stage-managed coming-out party for China’s new superpower status, but no actual deals were done, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 9, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 9, 2025
Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was a stage-managed coming-out party for China’s new superpower status, but no actual deals were done, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 4, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, held a White House meeting to discuss plans for Gaza’s future, with former British prime minister Tony Blair in the mix among real estate developers and others. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 4, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 4, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, held a White House meeting to discuss plans for Gaza’s future, with former British prime minister Tony Blair in the mix among real estate developers and others. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 3, 2025
British MP Nigel Farage recently promised that a Reform U.K. government would deport 600,000 people during its first five years in power. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 3, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 3, 2025
British MP Nigel Farage recently promised that a Reform U.K. government would deport 600,000 people during its first five years in power. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 28, 2025
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
Denmark has accused the United States of running a covert operation in Greenland. The attempt to recruit a few ‘pro-American’ Greenlanders to front the operation suggests President Donald Trump’s regime prefers a non-violent conquest if at all possible, writes Gwynne Dyer. Official White House photograph courtesy of Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 28, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 28, 2025
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin
Denmark has accused the United States of running a covert operation in Greenland. The attempt to recruit a few ‘pro-American’ Greenlanders to front the operation suggests President Donald Trump’s regime prefers a non-violent conquest if at all possible, writes Gwynne Dyer. Official White House photograph courtesy of Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 26, 2025
People are learning ‘from a distorted map,’ says Speak Up Africa founder Fara Ndiaye, leading to ‘a biased view of Africa’s role in the world.’ Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 26, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 26, 2025
People are learning ‘from a distorted map,’ says Speak Up Africa founder Fara Ndiaye, leading to ‘a biased view of Africa’s role in the world.’ Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 21, 2025
Donald Trump, left, and President Vladimir Putin.
The campaign by U.S. President Donald Trump, left, for the peace prize includes pretending he can end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but that conquest is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s heritage project, and he can still keep the war going for years, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 21, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 21, 2025
Donald Trump, left, and President Vladimir Putin.
The campaign by U.S. President Donald Trump, left, for the peace prize includes pretending he can end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but that conquest is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s heritage project, and he can still keep the war going for years, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 19, 2025
Donald Trump
It will take a massive campaign of perpetual flattery for the old NATO countries to keep U.S. President Donald Trump, far right, on side while simultaneously keeping Ukraine out of Russia’s hands, writes Gwynne Dyer.  White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 19, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 19, 2025
Donald Trump
It will take a massive campaign of perpetual flattery for the old NATO countries to keep U.S. President Donald Trump, far right, on side while simultaneously keeping Ukraine out of Russia’s hands, writes Gwynne Dyer.  White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 14, 2025
We are probably in the final phase of the artificial intelligence investment frenzy right now, writes Gwynne Dyer. Unsplash photograph by Igor Omilaev
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 14, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 14, 2025
We are probably in the final phase of the artificial intelligence investment frenzy right now, writes Gwynne Dyer. Unsplash photograph by Igor Omilaev
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 11, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump at the G20 Summit in Japan in June 2019. With no leverage in Moscow, Trump's recent deadline for a Russian ceasefire in Ukraine passed unmentioned, writes Gwynne Dyer. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 11, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 11, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump at the G20 Summit in Japan in June 2019. With no leverage in Moscow, Trump's recent deadline for a Russian ceasefire in Ukraine passed unmentioned, writes Gwynne Dyer. White House photograph by Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 6, 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still in power because he’s now a war leader and the courts can’t hold an inquiry into his behaviour until the war is over, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 6, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 6, 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still in power because he’s now a war leader and the courts can’t hold an inquiry into his behaviour until the war is over, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 5, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Not only are major powers resorting to war more often, but they are doing so without even trying to justify it under the UN Charter rules for the use of force: Russia in Ukraine, Israel in Gaza, the United States over Iran.  The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 5, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 5, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Not only are major powers resorting to war more often, but they are doing so without even trying to justify it under the UN Charter rules for the use of force: Russia in Ukraine, Israel in Gaza, the United States over Iran.  The Hill Times photographs by Sam Garcia and courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 1, 2025
Lower birth rates do bring with them problems like a higher dependency ratio, but managing this kind of 'problem' is what governments are there for, writes Gwynne Dyer. Unsplash photograph by Lingchor
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 1, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 1, 2025
Lower birth rates do bring with them problems like a higher dependency ratio, but managing this kind of 'problem' is what governments are there for, writes Gwynne Dyer. Unsplash photograph by Lingchor
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 28, 2025
All the back-and-forth diplomacy in Gaza over the past six months was just for show, and the only audience that mattered was U.S. President Donald Trump, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 28, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 28, 2025
All the back-and-forth diplomacy in Gaza over the past six months was just for show, and the only audience that mattered was U.S. President Donald Trump, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 23, 2025
Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping will never rule out using force to ‘recover’ Taiwan, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 23, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 23, 2025
Xi Jinping
Chinese President Xi Jinping will never rule out using force to ‘recover’ Taiwan, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pictured on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in the Oval Office. The arrival of Trump 2.0 has been a shock to both the global trading system and the alliance structures that had prevailed since the 1950s, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 21, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 21, 2025
Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice-President J.D. Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, pictured on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in the Oval Office. The arrival of Trump 2.0 has been a shock to both the global trading system and the alliance structures that had prevailed since the 1950s, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 14, 2025
Solar panels
Volume production and technical innovations have brought the price of solar panels down so low that China is exporting them in huge quantities even to developing countries, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 14, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 14, 2025
Solar panels
Volume production and technical innovations have brought the price of solar panels down so low that China is exporting them in huge quantities even to developing countries, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Unsplash
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 10, 2025
Most American political analysts have dismissed the electoral prospects of Elon Musk’s new political party, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the White House/Flickr
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 10, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 10, 2025
Most American political analysts have dismissed the electoral prospects of Elon Musk’s new political party, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the White House/Flickr
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 7, 2025
The Dalai Lama, pictured in April 2012 during a visit to Ottawa, turned 90 on July 6. China views his death as a golden opportunity to ‘nationalize’ Tibetan Buddhism by giving the state the power to choose his successor, writes Gwynne Dyer. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 7, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 7, 2025
The Dalai Lama, pictured in April 2012 during a visit to Ottawa, turned 90 on July 6. China views his death as a golden opportunity to ‘nationalize’ Tibetan Buddhism by giving the state the power to choose his successor, writes Gwynne Dyer. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 3, 2025
The key fact in any discussion about climate refugees is that the tropical countries—like the South Pacific island of Tuvalu—will be hit sooner and harder than those closer to the poles, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 3, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 3, 2025
The key fact in any discussion about climate refugees is that the tropical countries—like the South Pacific island of Tuvalu—will be hit sooner and harder than those closer to the poles, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 30, 2025
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, is facing calls for her resignation after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 30, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 30, 2025
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left, is facing calls for her resignation after a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 26, 2025
It took U.S. President Donald Trump a long time to realize that he had been played by the Israeli prime minister, but it won’t last because he cannot bear the idea that he was outsmarted, writes Gwynne Dyer. Official White House photograph courtesy of Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 26, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 26, 2025
It took U.S. President Donald Trump a long time to realize that he had been played by the Israeli prime minister, but it won’t last because he cannot bear the idea that he was outsmarted, writes Gwynne Dyer. Official White House photograph courtesy of Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 23, 2025
Donald Trump
Why did Iran start enriching uranium past the 3.5 per cent limit that it accepted in the 2015 deal? Because U.S. President Donald Trump tore up that deal in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 23, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 23, 2025
Donald Trump
Why did Iran start enriching uranium past the 3.5 per cent limit that it accepted in the 2015 deal? Because U.S. President Donald Trump tore up that deal in 2018 and re-imposed sanctions, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 19, 2025
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on May 22, 2017. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs photograph by Haim Zach 
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 19, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 19, 2025
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on May 22, 2017. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs photograph by Haim Zach 
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 16, 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Iran is on the brink of getting nuclear weapons half a dozen times in the past 20 years, writes Gwynne Dyer. UN photograph by Loey Felipe
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 16, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 16, 2025
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Iran is on the brink of getting nuclear weapons half a dozen times in the past 20 years, writes Gwynne Dyer. UN photograph by Loey Felipe
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 12, 2025
We cannot rebuild healthy oceans unless that bottom trawling stopped in the safe zones where fish populations should be able to recover, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of David Dodge/Green Energy Futures/Creative Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 12, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 12, 2025
We cannot rebuild healthy oceans unless that bottom trawling stopped in the safe zones where fish populations should be able to recover, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of David Dodge/Green Energy Futures/Creative Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 9, 2025
It’s unlikely the United States ends up in a de facto alliance with Russia, but it’s possible, given U.S. President Donald Trump’s bizarre but undeniably very close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the White House/Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 9, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | June 9, 2025
It’s unlikely the United States ends up in a de facto alliance with Russia, but it’s possible, given U.S. President Donald Trump’s bizarre but undeniably very close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the White House/Shealah Craighead
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 23, 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, pictured in 2017, should learn from Vladimir Putin's mistake, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the United Nations/Jean-Marc Ferré on Flickr
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 23, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 23, 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping, pictured in 2017, should learn from Vladimir Putin's mistake, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the United Nations/Jean-Marc Ferré on Flickr
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 21, 2023
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, pictured at the UN in 2022, and his ZANU-PF party are expected to win the country's general election later this week. Photograph courtesy of UN Photo/Cia Pak
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 21, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 21, 2023
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, pictured at the UN in 2022, and his ZANU-PF party are expected to win the country's general election later this week. Photograph courtesy of UN Photo/Cia Pak
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 17, 2023
Donald Trump pictured on the campaign trail in 2020. While many believe the indictments against Trump are strengthening his support among his 'core' supporters, that won't be enough to win the next general election, writes Gwynne Dyer. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 17, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 17, 2023
Donald Trump pictured on the campaign trail in 2020. While many believe the indictments against Trump are strengthening his support among his 'core' supporters, that won't be enough to win the next general election, writes Gwynne Dyer. Screenshot courtesy of CPAC
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 14, 2023
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty established that no nation can own the moon. The subsequent 1979 Moon Agreement states more specifically that no nation, organization, or private individual can own resources on the moon—but only four countries have signed it, not including the U.S., China, or Russia. Photograph courtesy of JB on Pixabay
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 14, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 14, 2023
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty established that no nation can own the moon. The subsequent 1979 Moon Agreement states more specifically that no nation, organization, or private individual can own resources on the moon—but only four countries have signed it, not including the U.S., China, or Russia. Photograph courtesy of JB on Pixabay
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 10, 2023
From youthful commander in the genocidal Khmer Rouge, to Vietnamese puppet, to coup-maker, to dynastic autocrat, the former (official) ruler of Cambodia Hun Sen did it all without ever caring about either ideology or loyalty writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Hun Sen on Facebook
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 10, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 10, 2023
From youthful commander in the genocidal Khmer Rouge, to Vietnamese puppet, to coup-maker, to dynastic autocrat, the former (official) ruler of Cambodia Hun Sen did it all without ever caring about either ideology or loyalty writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Hun Sen on Facebook
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 9, 2023
Donald Trump, left, is under five indictments in three jurisdictions, potentially involving up to 10 years in jail, with more indictments to come. Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s main opposition party, was facing two years in prison for insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Pakistan, former prime minister Imran Khan has just been arrested. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 9, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 9, 2023
Donald Trump, left, is under five indictments in three jurisdictions, potentially involving up to 10 years in jail, with more indictments to come. Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s main opposition party, was facing two years in prison for insulting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In Pakistan, former prime minister Imran Khan has just been arrested. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 2, 2023
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, pictured in 2016 when he was mayor of San Salvador, in front of a banner that reads 'ruling with the people,' in Spanish. He is a populist icon throughout Latin America, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Presidencia El Salvador on Flickr
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 2, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | August 2, 2023
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, pictured in 2016 when he was mayor of San Salvador, in front of a banner that reads 'ruling with the people,' in Spanish. He is a populist icon throughout Latin America, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Presidencia El Salvador on Flickr
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 24, 2023
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he won’t be going to South Africa for next month’s summit of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), although all the other leaders will be there. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 24, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 24, 2023
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he won’t be going to South Africa for next month’s summit of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), although all the other leaders will be there. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 17, 2023
The Chapel Creek wildfire north of Blue River in British Columbia. There are 885 wildfires burning in Canada, and counting. Photograph courtesy of the B.C. Wildfire Service
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 17, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 17, 2023
The Chapel Creek wildfire north of Blue River in British Columbia. There are 885 wildfires burning in Canada, and counting. Photograph courtesy of the B.C. Wildfire Service
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 12, 2023
Crawford Lake is a very deep limestone sinkhole not far from Hamilton, Ont., which has become the defining natural phenomenon representing the Anthropocene. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 12, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | July 12, 2023
Crawford Lake is a very deep limestone sinkhole not far from Hamilton, Ont., which has become the defining natural phenomenon representing the Anthropocene. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons