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In Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece “The Great Dictator” (1940), there is a scene in which his character “Adenoid Hynkel,” ruler of the anti-Semitic and fascistic nation named “Tomania,” dreamily juggles a huge balloon painted as a globe – until it bursts. Should our balloon burst, and the possibility is becoming ever greater, the consequences will dwarf…

Prospects for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict: causes, sanctions and possible scenarios Introduction: The attached “white paper” is the interdisciplinary product of cosmopolitan collaboration by scholars, researchers, and political actors, who now comprise a new network: Independent Experts Peace Initiatives (IEPI). This “executive brief” summarizes the white paper—and references its appropriate sections. Causes: Russian imperialism, NATO expansion,…

Since declaring independence in 1991, Ukraine has pursued a complex and often turbulent course toward democratic governance and social pluralism. Although the country has made visible progress in building democratic institutions and strengthening its sovereignty, persistent challenges continue to obstruct this trajectory. Among these challenges are widespread systemic corruption, the resurgence of nationalist narratives that…

Since gaining independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has been governed through an authoritarian framework predominantly shaped by the enduring dominance of the Aliyev family. Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB general and senior Communist Party official, consolidated his hold on power in the early post-Soviet years. Following his death in 2003, his son Ilham Aliyev assumed the…

Starting in 2014, Russia has been intensifying its repression of political dissent through legal, administrative, and extralegal measures. This has occurred in concert with the implementation of an aggressive foreign policy that poses a threat to regional and international stability. State controlled mass media has become a powerful propaganda machine to justify Russia’s invasion of…

Dr. Stephen Eric Bronner is a leading political theorist, peace activist, and former Board of Governors Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University. With over four decades of academic and diplomatic engagement, he has authored more than 20 books, advised international peace delegations, and championed human rights across conflict zones from Iraq to Ukraine.…

Historical analogies are never perfect fits: 2025 is not 1938. The later date marked an attempt to impose peace on the Russian-Ukrainian War while the earlier sought to prevent war between Germany and Europe’s democracies. Still, the press conference of February 29th 2025 held by American President Donald Trump, his Vice-President, JD Vance, and Ukrainian…

Trump will undoubtedly attempt to enhance his authoritarian aspirations by subordinating other branches of power to his will, inspire his base in civil society, and then, in turn, employ it to increase pressure on governmental institutions in his behalf.  And, so, it begins—again! Only this time, with new vigor, improved efficiency, and an all-encompassing agenda.…

How could it have come to this? Ex-President Donald Trump has now won the presidential election of 2024 against Vice-President Kamala Harris with 51% against 48% of the popular vote and 322 as against 223 votes in the Electoral College . His Republicans -and they are his – have also taken control the Senate 52…