Friday, November 7, 2025

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Global Affairs

Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 6, 2025
Displaced people arrive in South Sudan from Sudan through the Joda border crossing. Killing in Sudan has been non-stop since October. It’s the worst massacre yet in a civil war that has already killed 150,000 people and made one-third of the population refugees, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the United Nations by Ala Kheir
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 6, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 6, 2025
Displaced people arrive in South Sudan from Sudan through the Joda border crossing. Killing in Sudan has been non-stop since October. It’s the worst massacre yet in a civil war that has already killed 150,000 people and made one-third of the population refugees, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the United Nations by Ala Kheir
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 3, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump can infallibly trick the public into drawing their attention away from something else that he doesn’t want them to see, writes Gwynne Dyer. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 3, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | November 3, 2025
Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump can infallibly trick the public into drawing their attention away from something else that he doesn’t want them to see, writes Gwynne Dyer. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 29, 2025
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still wants to get the Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip, but this may no longer require a confrontation with Donald Trump, writes Gwynne Dyer White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 29, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 29, 2025
Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu still wants to get the Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip, but this may no longer require a confrontation with Donald Trump, writes Gwynne Dyer White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 27, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, is doing everything possible to look like he is serious about overthrowing Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela by force, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 27, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 27, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, is doing everything possible to look like he is serious about overthrowing Nicolás Maduro’s regime in Venezuela by force, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 22, 2025
Last month, unidentified drones forced Denmark to shut down its airports on several occasions, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Russian involvement could not be ruled out. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 22, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 22, 2025
Last month, unidentified drones forced Denmark to shut down its airports on several occasions, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Russian involvement could not be ruled out. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 16, 2025
In the latest example of American influence, Argentina President Javier Milei, left, has welcomed Donald Trump’s $20-billion bailout even as the American president mused about the country’s elections, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore 
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 16, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 16, 2025
In the latest example of American influence, Argentina President Javier Milei, left, has welcomed Donald Trump’s $20-billion bailout even as the American president mused about the country’s elections, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Gage Skidmore 
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 15, 2025
The biggest players in the system supporting AI are spending vast amounts of borrowed money on a technology they don’t even fully understand, writes Gwynne Dyer. Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 15, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 15, 2025
The biggest players in the system supporting AI are spending vast amounts of borrowed money on a technology they don’t even fully understand, writes Gwynne Dyer. Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 8, 2025
Jane Goodall, pictured in 2019, died on Oct. 1 at the age of 91. She was also one of the greatest self-taught scientists in history, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Simon Fraser University 
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 8, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 8, 2025
Jane Goodall, pictured in 2019, died on Oct. 1 at the age of 91. She was also one of the greatest self-taught scientists in history, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Flickr/Simon Fraser University 
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 7, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, has a very short attention span, but he was able to bully Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into at least the opening stages of a ceasefire, writes Gwynne Dyer. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 7, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 7, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, has a very short attention span, but he was able to bully Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into at least the opening stages of a ceasefire, writes Gwynne Dyer. White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 2, 2025
Donald Trump.
After the June U.S. bombing on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities, President Donald Trump claimed the key facilities ‘have been completely and totally obliterated.’ Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 2, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | October 2, 2025
Donald Trump.
After the June U.S. bombing on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities, President Donald Trump claimed the key facilities ‘have been completely and totally obliterated.’ Photograph courtesy of Flickr/The White House
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 30, 2025
Portland, Ore., residents protest the U.S. president’s deployment of troops to the city to ‘protect’ an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Sept. 28. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/KPTV Fox 12
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 30, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 30, 2025
Portland, Ore., residents protest the U.S. president’s deployment of troops to the city to ‘protect’ an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Sept. 28. Screenshot courtesy of YouTube/KPTV Fox 12
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 24, 2025
American President Donald Trump, pictured, attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a February White House visit, but this week at the United Nations Trump suggested Ukraine could win back its territory. Official White House photograph
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 24, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 24, 2025
American President Donald Trump, pictured, attacked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a February White House visit, but this week at the United Nations Trump suggested Ukraine could win back its territory. Official White House photograph
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 22, 2025
The cascade of recognitions at the United Nations General Assembly’s annual session in New York is pure gesture politics, writes Gwynne Dyer. UN photograph by Manuel Elias
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 22, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 22, 2025
The cascade of recognitions at the United Nations General Assembly’s annual session in New York is pure gesture politics, writes Gwynne Dyer. UN photograph by Manuel Elias
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 17, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s real goal with the Poland drone strike is to stampede NATO’s European countries into spending large amounts on their own national defence, instead of continuing to send arms to beleaguered Ukraine, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 17, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 17, 2025
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s real goal with the Poland drone strike is to stampede NATO’s European countries into spending large amounts on their own national defence, instead of continuing to send arms to beleaguered Ukraine, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 15, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Most Republican voters still believe that U.S. President Donald Trump, left, won the 2020 election. By contrast, only 36 per cent of Brazilians doubt that former president Jair Bolsonaro was part of the 2022 coup plot, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 15, 2025
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | September 15, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump, left, and former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Most Republican voters still believe that U.S. President Donald Trump, left, won the 2020 election. By contrast, only 36 per cent of Brazilians doubt that former president Jair Bolsonaro was part of the 2022 coup plot, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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 | February 27, 2023
The Spiez lab is one of five in the world certified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to identify developments in chemistry, biology, and enabling technologies that have implications for the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 27, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 27, 2023
The Spiez lab is one of five in the world certified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to identify developments in chemistry, biology, and enabling technologies that have implications for the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 23, 2023
Nigeria is choosing between two traditional presidential candidates Bola Ahmed Tinubu, left, and Atiku Abubakar, while Peter Obi is the dark-horse, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 23, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 23, 2023
Nigeria is choosing between two traditional presidential candidates Bola Ahmed Tinubu, left, and Atiku Abubakar, while Peter Obi is the dark-horse, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 22, 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, is seen as ‘soft’ on Russia by many observers because of his frequent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the goal of permanently crippling Russia is neither legitimate nor wise, writes Gwynne Dyer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 22, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 22, 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, is seen as ‘soft’ on Russia by many observers because of his frequent contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the goal of permanently crippling Russia is neither legitimate nor wise, writes Gwynne Dyer. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade and photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 13, 2023
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government favours the industry with amnesties, low-interest rates, and the like because construction produces a quick hit of economic activity that helps him through the next election or other crisis, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 13, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 13, 2023
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government favours the industry with amnesties, low-interest rates, and the like because construction produces a quick hit of economic activity that helps him through the next election or other crisis, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 9, 2023
Benjamin Netanyahu
Gwynne Dyer prediction No. 1: Prime Minister Benjamin ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu, a wily and treacherous politician, will not go to jail. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 9, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 9, 2023
Benjamin Netanyahu
Gwynne Dyer prediction No. 1: Prime Minister Benjamin ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu, a wily and treacherous politician, will not go to jail. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 2, 2023
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping already has too much on his plate: a huge but rapidly declining population; an economy that has sunk into stagnation and is unlikely to resurface; and the horrible example of how the invasion of Ukraine worked out for the Russians, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 2, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | February 2, 2023
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping already has too much on his plate: a huge but rapidly declining population; an economy that has sunk into stagnation and is unlikely to resurface; and the horrible example of how the invasion of Ukraine worked out for the Russians, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 30, 2023
Retired army general Petr Pavel, left, beat populist Andrej Babis in the Jan. 28 Czech Republic election. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 30, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 30, 2023
Retired army general Petr Pavel, left, beat populist Andrej Babis in the Jan. 28 Czech Republic election. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 26, 2023
U.S. Soldiers move an M1 Abrams tank to the firing line to test fire its weapons during operations in Kuwait in May 2021. The United States is talking of about sending 30 M1s, and along other country donations there aren't many coming to Ukraine, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 26, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 26, 2023
U.S. Soldiers move an M1 Abrams tank to the firing line to test fire its weapons during operations in Kuwait in May 2021. The United States is talking of about sending 30 M1s, and along other country donations there aren't many coming to Ukraine, writes Gwynne Dyer. Photograph courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 23, 2023
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s soon to be ex-prime minister, has created her own ‘happy juncture,’ writes Gwynne Dyer. Her real strength was a calm and empathetic approach to every problem she dealt with. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 23, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 23, 2023
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s soon to be ex-prime minister, has created her own ‘happy juncture,’ writes Gwynne Dyer. Her real strength was a calm and empathetic approach to every problem she dealt with. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 19, 2023
China's more belligerent style under Xi Jinping, left, accounts for the speed at which a counter-balancing alliance took shape in the region, writes Gwynne Dyer, but the equal and opposite reaction to this enterprise was the 2022 announcement of a ‘no limits’ partnership by Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 19, 2023
Opinion | BY GWYNNE DYER | January 19, 2023
China's more belligerent style under Xi Jinping, left, accounts for the speed at which a counter-balancing alliance took shape in the region, writes Gwynne Dyer, but the equal and opposite reaction to this enterprise was the 2022 announcement of a ‘no limits’ partnership by Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photographs courtesy of Wikimedia Commons