2017 began with the newly elected president of the US Donald Trump tweeting lies about the inaugural crowd and calling Mexicans "rapists and criminals", and ended with lies about his legislative record, which is the worst in recent years ( even though the Republicans control both Houses and the Supreme Court), with many Executive Orders and just the Tax bill ( which has benefited the wealthy and pauoerized the poor, who will be denied health care and will have to pay higher taxes), and also saying that Nigerians live in "huts" and that Haitians have "aids".
In between Trump has tweeted about China helping N Korea with oil and not doing enough to counter its nuclear program, while at the same time entertaining Pres. Xi at his golf course and regaling him while his daughters try to win more contracts in China to sell their goods. He declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel ( going against 70 years of policy and the UN founding principles of Israel ...the two-state, pleasing the Zionist Netanyahu and increasing the chances of conflict. He is opposed to the Iran nuclear agreement and has tried to undermine it, while supporting Saudi Arabia and its genocide on Yemen. His ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley threatened to take the names of countries voting against Trump's Jerusalem declaration, but only 7 countries ( Togo, Honduras, Marshall Is, Palau) plus US and Israel sided with US and 128 voted against ( GB, France, Germany...)...talking/threatening loudly, but carrying a small stick. 35 countries, including Canada and Australia abstained and 22 countries did not show up. America's not getting " great" but "weak"
He started out attacking Europe and NATO and supporting Brexit. He welcomed PM Theresa May and it was downhill for and the invitation to visit GB has met with stiff opposition. He met Macron and after " buddying up" Macron lost 20 % in the polls. Europe has been very critical of his policies whether towards the Middle East, Iran or Russia.
In the case of Russia, Trump has praised Putin ( who is expected to win another term), has condemned the American Intelligence services, the FBI and the Mueller investigation into Russian collusion. In the meantime four officials who worked on his campaign have been indicted including his National Security Adviser Flynn, his campaign manager Mannafort. The investigation continues even though there is constant pressure from Trump and some Republicans. Many more of those associated with his campaign , including his son-in law Kushner have been or are being questioned.
In the Middle East, Russia holds sway. With Iran and Hizbollah, they have blunted ISIL and have kept Assad in power and Russia has a much-wanted presence with an air field, military ases and a warm weather port. The US, Israel and Saudi Arabia are not happy. The Iran nuclear deal has allowed Iran to improve its economy ( even though there have been protests recently, allegedly stirred up by the CIA and Mossad.
The North Korean have defied Trump and his any threats to reduce them to rubble. Tests continue and China is very wary of an unstable North as that would mean millions of refugees flooding in. It as recently been accused by Trump of not upholding the embargo and supplying much need oil to the North. Japan and S.Korea are on pins and needles, both over the tests and Trump's bluster.
In Europe, Angela Merkel is still trying to form a coalition government,.She is the steady hand of Europe as Macron faces problems with his "reforms" with decreasing popularity and unions opposition. In Britain, May continue to muddle on with opposition within her party and the Irish Question ( what to do about Northern Ireland and its border with the Irish Republic...should it be soft or hard. It is also one of the stumbling points in the Brexit talks). These talks continue but the issues of payments, relationship, trade and financial, and the tens of thousands of expats in Britain and Europe). It has a way to go and it will not be easy.
China is riding high. With its Belt and Road, its investment in Asia ,Australia and Africa and Pres. XI firmly in control, it looks like China has indeed RISEN, getting wealthier.and more stable. It is filling up the space left by Trump's withdrawal.
So Russia and China are more and more confident as America withdraws from the world, becoming more and more self-centered and isolationist, with the incompetent and divisive Trump, whether it be climate change, NATO, TPP, NAFTA , Jerusalem , Iran or North Korea. The world moves on.
In between Trump has tweeted about China helping N Korea with oil and not doing enough to counter its nuclear program, while at the same time entertaining Pres. Xi at his golf course and regaling him while his daughters try to win more contracts in China to sell their goods. He declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel ( going against 70 years of policy and the UN founding principles of Israel ...the two-state, pleasing the Zionist Netanyahu and increasing the chances of conflict. He is opposed to the Iran nuclear agreement and has tried to undermine it, while supporting Saudi Arabia and its genocide on Yemen. His ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley threatened to take the names of countries voting against Trump's Jerusalem declaration, but only 7 countries ( Togo, Honduras, Marshall Is, Palau) plus US and Israel sided with US and 128 voted against ( GB, France, Germany...)...talking/threatening loudly, but carrying a small stick. 35 countries, including Canada and Australia abstained and 22 countries did not show up. America's not getting " great" but "weak"
He started out attacking Europe and NATO and supporting Brexit. He welcomed PM Theresa May and it was downhill for and the invitation to visit GB has met with stiff opposition. He met Macron and after " buddying up" Macron lost 20 % in the polls. Europe has been very critical of his policies whether towards the Middle East, Iran or Russia.
In the case of Russia, Trump has praised Putin ( who is expected to win another term), has condemned the American Intelligence services, the FBI and the Mueller investigation into Russian collusion. In the meantime four officials who worked on his campaign have been indicted including his National Security Adviser Flynn, his campaign manager Mannafort. The investigation continues even though there is constant pressure from Trump and some Republicans. Many more of those associated with his campaign , including his son-in law Kushner have been or are being questioned.
In the Middle East, Russia holds sway. With Iran and Hizbollah, they have blunted ISIL and have kept Assad in power and Russia has a much-wanted presence with an air field, military ases and a warm weather port. The US, Israel and Saudi Arabia are not happy. The Iran nuclear deal has allowed Iran to improve its economy ( even though there have been protests recently, allegedly stirred up by the CIA and Mossad.
The North Korean have defied Trump and his any threats to reduce them to rubble. Tests continue and China is very wary of an unstable North as that would mean millions of refugees flooding in. It as recently been accused by Trump of not upholding the embargo and supplying much need oil to the North. Japan and S.Korea are on pins and needles, both over the tests and Trump's bluster.
In Europe, Angela Merkel is still trying to form a coalition government,.She is the steady hand of Europe as Macron faces problems with his "reforms" with decreasing popularity and unions opposition. In Britain, May continue to muddle on with opposition within her party and the Irish Question ( what to do about Northern Ireland and its border with the Irish Republic...should it be soft or hard. It is also one of the stumbling points in the Brexit talks). These talks continue but the issues of payments, relationship, trade and financial, and the tens of thousands of expats in Britain and Europe). It has a way to go and it will not be easy.
China is riding high. With its Belt and Road, its investment in Asia ,Australia and Africa and Pres. XI firmly in control, it looks like China has indeed RISEN, getting wealthier.and more stable. It is filling up the space left by Trump's withdrawal.
So Russia and China are more and more confident as America withdraws from the world, becoming more and more self-centered and isolationist, with the incompetent and divisive Trump, whether it be climate change, NATO, TPP, NAFTA , Jerusalem , Iran or North Korea. The world moves on.
