Vladimir Putin has massed more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine's eastern border, threatening an invasion unless his demands are met, including a promise that Ukraine never join NATO. Some analysts see Putin's gambit as a show of Russia's increased military strength and determination to again hold sway in Eastern Europe. That's just part of the story. Putin's actions also demonstrate Russia's weakness relative to his European Union neighbors. Here's what's happening in Ukraine

Democrats and Republicans in Congress don't agree on much these days, but China's treatment of the the Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region is impossible to ignore. As many as one million Uyghurs are being held in "re-education" camps [prisons], many subject to indoctrination, torture, and forced labor. Illuminate: "There appears to be no end to the horrors that China will perpetuate against its Muslim minority in Xinjiang. The Chinese government’s oppression of the Uyghurs and oth

The International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) is an international environmental agreement created to save a wide variety of whales from extinction. Many species had been hunted to near-extinction by industrial whaling practices in the 20th century. The Convention was spearheaded by the United States and signed by 15 of the largest whaling nations in Washington in 1946. Oversight and enforcement is conducted by the International Whaling Commission [IWC], es

During the 2020 election, President Joe Biden promised to restart negotiations with Iran in order to rescue the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, Iran Nuclear Deal) and prevent another bloody war in the Middle East. That may not be possible. Former President Donald Trump's irresponsible decision to withdraw from the JCPOA, despite Iranian adherence to the agreement, set off a chain of events that may be difficult to derail. At some point soon, The United States may b

As the international COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow draws to a close, many are hopeful that the final agreement, now known as the Glasgow Climate Pact, represents the beginning of a new era in climate action that will prevent the most destructive effects of climate change. Experts point out that the pledges made in Glasgow didn't go far enough to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 45% by 2030 and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C [2.7 degrees F]. However, ther

France is understandably miffed that Australia decided to upgrade its navy with nuclear subs in partnership with the United States and the UK. They thought they had a deal with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for France to deliver 12 non-nuclear submarines. Instead, the new US-UK-Australia deal lays the groundwork for Australia to purchase at least eight nuclear submarines with support and training from the US and the UK. The deal also includes a tripartite security