OPINION: BRICS+ countries are determined to trade in their own currencies – but can it work?

SEOUL, November 26 (AJP) - BRICS+ countries are exploring how they can foster greater use of local currencies in their trade, instead of relying on a handful of major currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar and the euro. The forum for cooperation among nine leading emerging economies – Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Arab Emirates – emphasized this determination at their 16th summit in October 2024. Economist Lauren

November 26, 2024

OPINION: Russia needs peace deal soon as it is running out of soldiers

SEOUL, November 25 (AJP) - For Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump's win couldn't come soon enough. Putin may reportedly accept a deal where Moscow gains significant territory in Ukraine (about the size of the U.S. state of Virginia) and Ukraine remains neutral and forgets about any plans to join NATO or the EU. Though Ukraine is experiencing war fatigue, so is Russia. Russia is making steady advances in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, but the Kremlin is still struggling to recruit

November 25, 2024

OPINION: Crypto is soaring after Trump's election − but is it good ethical investment?

SEOUL, November 22 (AJP) - An estimated 18 million Americans are invested in cryptocurrency, according to the Federal Reserve. And the United States just elected a pro-crypto president. Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin have become a trendy digital asset. Supporters claim that crypto subverts capitalism because it bypasses traditional bankers. Crypto can offer quick riches along with an air of high-tech sophistication. Early adopters reaped enormous rewards, many becoming milliona

November 22, 2024

OPINION: Why Trump's election win fueled stock market surge

SEOUL, November 21 (AJP) - Following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election, Bitcoin was one of the assets that surged in value. This was widely felt to be a response to Trump's promise to establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve – essentially holding a large stock of the cryptocurrency as a security. On Nov. 13, the week after Trump's win, Bitcoin broke through the US$90,000 (£71,340) price threshold for the first time, and the value of the gl

November 21, 2024

OPINION: What Ukraine can now do with longer-range US missiles

SEOUL, November 20 (AJP) - The outgoing Biden administration has authorized Ukraine to use U.S.- supplied longer-range missiles to strike deeper into Russia territory, according to reports citing White House officials. The move comes amid concern in the West that Moscow – aided by the influx of thousands of North Korean fighters – might be preparing a major counteroffensive to regain lost territory in the Kursk region of Russia. But how big a deal is the Biden decisio

November 20, 2024

OPINION: After 1,000 days of Ukraine war, Europe must prepare for Trump-brokered peace deal by asserting its own interests

SEOUL, November 19 (AJP) - Since Donald Trump was reelected on Nov. 5, speculation about what his presidency will mean for the war in Ukraine, which has now entered its 1,000th day, has become frenzied. It is easy to be skeptical of Trump's campaign assertion that he would end the war in 24 hours even before taking office in January 2025. But all the signs clearly point in the direction of a serious diplomatic push by Trump to force Moscow and Kyiv to agree on a ceasefire and po

November 19, 2024

OPINION: Brazilian presidency of G20 is likely to end with limited results

SEOUL, November 18 (AJP) - The G20 Leaders' Summit takes place on Nov. 18 and 19, in Rio de Janeiro, with the presence of leaders of the member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union. The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, will not attend. Putin faces arrest if he travels abroad on a warrant accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine, issued by the International Criminal Court, and will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. In a simple metaphor, Brazil&#

November 18, 2024

OPINION: Trump's pick of Marco Rubio for foreign policy might be hopeful sign for NATO

SEOUL, November 15 (AJP) - Almost all of Donald Trump's nominees for critical positions within his presidential administration have been non-traditional. Fox News presenter Pete Hegseth was just named as Trump's possible defense secretary. Alongside Elon Musk, pharmaceutical company entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has been tapped to lead a newly named Department of Government Efficiency. With little background in border protection, South Dakota governor Kristi Noem has been nom

November 15, 2024

OPINION: What Trump's reelection means for relations between regional rivals China and Japan

SEOUL, November 14 (AJP) - Donald Trump was declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 6, sealing a historic and improbable return to the White House. His reelection has triggered speculation as to the state of world affairs once he assumes office in January. One of the relationships most speculated on is between the U.S. and China. Trump waged a trade war against China during his first term as president and has now promised higher tariffs on Chinese goods –

November 14, 2024

OPINION: The Republican election sweep – beyond the headlines

KENOSHA, November 13 (AJP) - If there was a single strategic turning point in the 2024 presidential election, it could have been the disastrous decision of the campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris to take a pass on the Al Smith Dinner in New York. Since the now-legendary 1960 race between Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon, this singular event has generally been considered obligatory. The only other presidential nominee to duck the dinner was ill-fated W

November 13, 2024