Category Geopolitics

Geopolitics, Intelligence Agencies, Intelligence Collection, Roman Catholicism, The Vatican, Vatican City (The Holy See)

Vatican Intelligence: The Holy See’s Secret Role in Global Espionage, Cybersecurity, and Diplomacy

Vatican Intelligence: The Holy See’s Secret Role in Global Espionage, Cybersecurity, and Diplomacy Introduction: The Vatican’s Intelligence Apparatus – A Secretive and Powerful Network For centuries, the Vatican has been one of the most enigmatic and influential institutions in global…

Margot Lanihin
March 6, 2025

Conflict Flashpoints, Forecast, Geopolitics, NATO, Russia-Ukraine War, Russian Federation, The Balkans, The Baltics, The Suwalki Gap, Ukraine

The Next NATO-Russia Flashpoints: Why Conflict Could Erupt in the Suwalki Gap After a Ukraine Peace Agreement

A stylized image illustrating The Next NATO-Russia Flashpoints: Where Conflict Could Erupt After a Ukraine Peace Agreement

The Next NATO-Russia Flashpoints: Why Conflict Could Erupt in the Suwalki Gap After a Ukraine Peace Agreement Introduction: A Fragile Peace with Dangerous Undercurrents The prospect of a peace agreement in Ukraine offers a moment of respite but does not…

Belt and Road Initiative, Fraud, Abuse, and Waste, Geopolitics, International Development, People's Republic of China (PRC), USAID

USAID vs. China: Why American Aid Keeps Losing to Beijing’s Strategy

USAID vs. China: Why American Aid Keeps Losing to Beijing’s Strategy The Mission vs. The Reality – USAID’s Strategic Failure The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) presents itself as the world’s leading development institution, a force for democracy, stability,…

Fraud, Abuse, and Waste, Geopolitics, International Development, Serbia, Top 10 List, Top 10 USAID Failures, USAID

USAID’s Top 10 Failures, No. 6: $200 Million Disaster: How the CRDA Program in Serbia Wasted Taxpayer Money

A photo of a Serbian sausage maker illustrating USAID's Top 10 Failures, No. 6: $200 Million Disaster: How the CRDA Program in Serbia Wasted Taxpayer Money

USAID’s Top 10 Failures, No. 6: $200 Million Disaster: How the CRDA Program in Serbia Wasted Taxpayer Money Introduction – USAID’s $200 Million Masterclass in Failure There’s an old saying: If you want to make money fast, start a war.…

Kevin J.S. Duska Jr.
February 24, 2025

Fraud, Abuse, and Waste, Geopolitics, International Development, Médecins du Monde, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Top 10 List, Top 10 USAID Failures, USAID

Top 10 Worst USAID Failures, No. 7: Black Budget, Red Hands: USAID’s Syrian Health Clinic Debacle

A photo showing USAID's Top 10 Failures, No. 7: Black Budget, Red Hands: USAID’s Syrian Health Clinic Debacle

USAID’s Top 10 Failures Top 10 Worst USAID Failures, No. 7: Black Budget, Red Hands: USAID’s Syrian Health Clinic Debacle Introduction: The Bleeding Edge of Bureaucratic Stupidity There are a thousand ways to kill a man in a warzone, and…

Kevin J.S. Duska Jr.
February 24, 2025

Geopolitics, Pope Francis, Roman Catholicism, Soft Power, Vatican City (The Holy See)

What Happens When a Pope Dies?

What Happens When a Pope Dies? Introduction The death of a Pope is a significant event. It marks the end of an era in the Catholic Church. The death of Pope Francis is bringing this reality to the fore as…

Staff
February 24, 2025
1 Comment

Geopolitics, Roman Catholicism, Soft Power, The Vatican, Vatican City (The Holy See)

The Financial Power of the Vatican: How Rich Is the Catholic Church

a visual depiction of the financial power of the vatican showing how rich is the Catholic Church?

The Financial Power of the Vatican: How Rich Is the Catholic Church Introduction The Vatican, the heart of the Catholic Church, is a subject of fascination for many. Its spiritual significance is well-known. But what about its financial power? The…

Staff
February 23, 2025

Authoritarian Regimes, Authoritarianism, Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Roman Catholicism, Soft Power, The Vatican, Vatican City (The Holy See)

The Vatican’s Relationship with Authoritarian Regimes

A visual depiction of the rise and fall of Catholicism in Europe

The Vatican’s Relationship with Authoritarian Regimes Introduction The Vatican’s relationship with authoritarian regimes is a complex and nuanced topic. It’s a subject that has sparked debates and discussions among scholars, historians, and observers alike. Because the Vatican is a critical…

Staff
February 23, 2025
1 Comment

Bilateral Relations, Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Religion, Roman Catholicism, Soft Power, The Vatican, Vatican City (The Holy See)

The Holy See’s Influence on US and European Politics

The Holy See’s Influence on US and European Politics Introduction The Holy See, the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, wields significant influence in global politics. This influence extends to the United States and Europe, shaping policies and political…

Staff
February 23, 2025
1 Comment

Geopolitics, Roman Catholicism, Soft Power, The Vatican, Vatican City (The Holy See)

Vatican Geopolitics: Power and Influence Explained

Vatican Geopolitics: Power and Influence Explained ntroduction The Vatican, the world’s smallest sovereign state, wields a unique form of power. It’s a spiritual authority with a global reach. Even though Catholicism is in decline throughout much of the world, the…

Staff
February 22, 2025