Steve McGookinLike Helsinki Never Happened
At the end of a relatively successful road trip reassuring US allies about the viability of 21st Century Democracy, President Joe Biden’s first summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin took place this week in Geneva.
Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said the summit was a “masterclass of diplomacy” and the meeting was important in setting the stage for the future diplomatic relationship between the two countries; particularly in light of changing foreign policy scenarios, for example potential flashpoints with China as well as with this week’s elections in Iran.
Some observers believe that Putin got more out of the summit than Biden, in terms of the symbolic reward of the meeting itself, but, as former National Security official Fiona Hill told Meet The Press, with the previous administration, Putin “was able to push all of our political buttons – make fun of us, humiliate us, always have sit-downs that he wanted to or telephone calls, but he never got any kinds of agreements. That really…wasn’t all that worthwhile, so he has to get something out of this as well.”
On Sunday, however, the US was reported to be preparing new sanctions against Russia in response to the attempted murder of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. At the Geneva summit, Biden warned Putin of the consequences if Navalny were to die in prison, telling reporters: “I made it clear to him that I believe the consequences of that would be devastating for Russia.”
Now, as Biden’s focus returns to domestic policy, John Harwood writes that “confronting Putin may be easier than dealing with Republicans back in Washington.”
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Juneteenth celebration
There were two big landmark events on Thursday in US domestic politics: President Biden signed into law the recognition of “Juneteenth” as a federal holiday, commemorating the final emancipation of enslaved African-Americans in 1865; while on the same day, the US Supreme Court dismissed a Republican attempt to strike down the Affordable Care Act, making it likely that Obamacare is here to stay.
But pressure is growing on Biden and congressional Democrats to urgently use the diminishing time they may have as a majority to enact significant legislation on things like infrastructure and, particularly, voting rights.
See Also:
On Eve Of 100 Days, Biden Offers Bold Agenda
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Delta Variant continues to spread
It looks unlikely now that the Biden administration will hit its target of 70 per cent of US adults vaccinated in time for the July 4th holiday, with efforts frustrated by persistent vaccine reluctance in a number of states.
Meanwhile as the Delta Variant continues to spread – having forced the UK government into a rethink of lifting final restictions – the urgency for greater vaccination rates across the world remains paramount.
On Sunday, the US sent 2.5million vaccine doses to Taiwan – more than three times what it had originally pledged.
See Also:
World Leaders Gather Under Covid’s Relentless Shadow
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DUP – still – in disarray
It was something of another surreal week in Northern Irish politics as convulsions within the Democratic Unionist Party ended with the “chaotic downfall” of recently-elected party leader Edwin Poots and doubts over the future of his newly-installed First Minister Paul Givan, following a “deal” over an Irish Language Act.
As protests over the Brexit protocol continued, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson – who was narrowly defeated by Poots just a few weeks ago – appears set by the end of the month to become the party’s fifth leader, amid threats to bring Stormont down.
Sky’s David Blevins writes that the political crisis is far from over. “Many will question the point of a snap election if the mandatory coalition that forces opposites to share power continues to divide instead of reconcile.
“The Brexit bus will not just have driven over the largest Unionist party, it will have reversed back over the power-sharing at the heart of the peace process.”
See Also:
Poll Points To Trouble For DUP, Opportunity For Other Parties
What Happens If Alliance Comes Second?
A New Northern Ireland Youth Assembly Gives Cause For Hope
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Pioneer of African liberation, Kenneth Kaunda, dies
Kenneth Kaunda, the first President of Zambia and a leading figure in the anti-colonial and anti-apartheid movements in Africa, died this week aged 97. He led the former Northern Rhodesia to independence in 1964 but his standing among his people became unpredictable and after a heavy election defeat in 1991, he became the first African president to be defeated at the polls and retire gracefully. Later, he worked for organizations combating HIV/Aids.
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