Lima Charlie News

March 24, 2019

The Philippines, U.S., China make for a tough week at the International Criminal Court

The International Criminal Court is having a tough week. With the Philippines leaving the body, the U.S. threatening to deny visas and sanction investigators, and an unlikely prosecution of China’s activities in the South China Sea, the organization has a lot on its plate. However,… Keep Reading

March 23, 2019

Is Russia Failing in Ukraine? A Diminishing Threat

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, with the threat of a potentially greater conflict emerging, critical factors have emerged that severely mitigate Russia’s ambitions. Along with shifting military capacities, and a shifting reliance on Russian gas, Ukraine has a blossoming relationship with its… Keep Reading

March 22, 2019

Strike a deal with which devil? The many faces of the Taliban

18 years later, the U.S. is engaged in negotiations with the Taliban over the future of Afghanistan. But what exactly is “the Taliban”? Contrary to popular belief, there is no single “Taliban” and America is now negotiating with a hydra-like creature to an uncertain end.… Keep Reading

March 21, 2019

The Rwandan Jewel – Peacekeepers, Conflict Minerals and Lots of Foreign Aid

The U.S. and the United Nations have long partnered with Rwanda to support peacekeeping and counterinsurgency operations across Africa, providing expertise, weapons and funding to the Rwandan military. Meanwhile, Rwanda has provided weapons and support to rebel groups that target U.N. peacekeepers, while benefitting from… Keep Reading

March 15, 2019

The fate of Afghanistan’s NATO Generation

OPINION | Almost 18 years ago the U.S. led NATO into Afghanistan. Today the majority of its 35 million people – the NATO Generation – were born or came of age with a significant international military, diplomatic and development presence in their country. This young,… Keep Reading

March 8, 2019

Women’s Day Warriors – Africa’s queens, rebels and freedom fighters

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Dr. Gary K. Busch spotlights some of Africa’s greatest matriarchs, queens, rebels and freedom fighters, who have been largely scrubbed from history. The pervasive image of a poor, oppressed and powerless African female belies a long and proud history… Keep Reading

March 7, 2019

Vietnam to Iraq – America’s Lessons Never Learned

Vietnam Veteran and Middle East scholar, U.S. Colonel Norvell DeAtkine reflects on the U.S. government’s recent report, The U.S. Army in the Iraq War, the longest and most detailed study of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Iraq conflict thus far. “We have а professional and… Keep Reading

March 1, 2019

Russia’s energy divides Europe

OPINION: Fueled by Russian gas imports and the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, an energy Cold War threatens to divide Europe. The European Union’s Energy Union initiative is a beautiful idea. An idea which is being crushed by harsh realpolitik. The controversy surrounding Nord Stream 2 reflects… Keep Reading

February 26, 2019

The Trouble With Turkey’s Economy

How did Turkey go from rapid growth to economic crisis so quickly? The Turkish economy has become a truly perplexing case. Investing in emerging markets is always a risky game to play. Trying to sift through volumes of information and then place it in the… Keep Reading

February 24, 2019

Organised Crime in Asia – An [In]convenient Relationship: Part 2

There is an escalating crisis in Asia. A crisis developing from the symbiosis of organised crime, terrorism and the covert domestic and foreign policy ambitions of several Asian nations. Dr. Gary K. Busch examines organised crime and international politics in Asia — Part 2: Greater… Keep Reading

February 23, 2019

The Fears of Iran and its Forgotten Kurds

In the West much is heard about the struggles of the Kurdish peoples of Iraq and Turkey. Yet, little is heard about the Kurds of Iran. To most Iranians, Kurds are simply a non-people. Any mention of Kurdish symbols, such as the sun logo of… Keep Reading

February 22, 2019

The struggle for Poland’s soul – religion, ultra nationalism and a populist priest

OPINION | Through the veils of religion, ultra nationalism and increasing tribal societal divides, Poland faces critical choices. It was not long ago that the world described Poland as an economic and political success story. Poland proved to the West that nations could emerge from… Keep Reading

February 10, 2019

Killing al Baghdadi – SOF operation sparks attempted coup against ISIS leader

As the sun sets on the Islamic State, its notorious leader faces a radical decision – a decision by his own men to remove him. After a Special Forces operation led by U.S. and British troops closed in on Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, an unlikely coup ensued.… Keep Reading

February 9, 2019

Europa – Si vis pacem, para bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war)

OPINION | With the awakening belligerence of Putin’s Russia and China’s growing diplomatic and economic bluster, is Europe really prepared? Si vis pacem, parabellum. If you want peace, prepare for war. This age-old adage formulated some 1,600 years ago by the famed Roman General Flavius… Keep Reading

Image Organised Crime in Asia - A Convenient Relationship [Lima Charlie News]

February 8, 2019

Organised Crime in Asia – An [In]convenient Relationship

There is an escalating crisis in Southeast Asia. A crisis developing from the symbiosis of organised crime, terrorism and the covert domestic and foreign policy ambitions of several Asian nations. Dr. Gary K. Busch examines organised crime and international politics in Asia — Part 1:… Keep Reading

January 29, 2019

Huawei – China’s telecom giant hits a giant wall

This Monday, in a 13-count indictment unsealed in a federal court in New York, four defendants affiliated with Chinese telecom juggernaut, Huawei Technologies were named, including Huawei’s CFO, Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huawei’s president and founder. The charges relate to an alleged scheme by… Keep Reading

January 25, 2019

Arabs and Kurds – Why can’t they just get along?

U.S. Army Colonel Norvell DeAtkine examines the age old clash between Arabs and Kurds. The young Kurdish interpreter for American troops pointed to a tattered Iraqi flag flying over a small government building. He told me with bitterness in his voice that just seeing that… Keep Reading

January 21, 2019

Sweden provides ‘quiet diplomacy’ for U.S. – North Korea talks

A sequestered, off the record meeting in Sweden drives U.S., North Korea, South Korea diplomacy. At a sequestered conference facility outside of Stockholm top diplomats from North Korea, the U.S. and South Korea are now meeting under the protection of Swedish military and paramilitary forces… Keep Reading

January 18, 2019

What’s ailing South Korea?

Investors may look at the prevalence of South Korean brands, and the success of South Korean companies, and see an appealing investment destination. They should be wary. It is true that South Korea is an economic miracle, exhibiting stupendous growth over the last few decades.… Keep Reading

January 14, 2019

Iran vs. the European Union – A Murderously Difficult Balancing Act

Europe faces a balancing act between security and Iran’s hard-liners. Iranian intelligence services have long been suspected of actively carrying out operations to target Iranian dissidents in Europe. According to European intelligence agencies, in the past 5 years, Iranian intelligence operatives have successfully carried out… Keep Reading

January 10, 2019

Leaving Syria – a misstep continues to haunt America’s allies

Trump’s proclamation that the U.S. would leave Syria caught America’s allies off balance. On December 19th, 2018, President Donald Trump tweeted that “we have defeated ISIS in Syria,” thus eliminating the need for U.S. troops to remain in the Syrian area of operations. Shortly thereafter, the… Keep Reading

January 4, 2019

The rise and dominance of Colombia’s private military contractors

The policies designed to protect human rights and avoid reliance on vigilante gangs in the fight against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have driven Colombians into private security. Keep Reading

December 28, 2018

Ambitions Never Laid to Rest – An Open Society vs. The Terrorist

The recent terror attack in Strasbourg followed familiar patterns, but this attack has kindled something that may change the face of France. Keep Reading

December 24, 2018

The Arabs – a “Manufactured” People?

OPINION: Establishing a grand Arab peacekeeping force is a seductive idea. An “Arab NATO” consisting of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan has been proposed. As the thinking goes, Arabs understand one another, speak the same tongue, and all abhor the… Keep Reading

December 21, 2018

Afghanistan – A Bold Solution

Opinion: After nearly two decades at war, the U.S. effort to build the Afghan state has been for the most part, a failure. In order to turn its sails towards victory, America needs to reassert its influence on Afghanistan’s economy, governance and security. One year… Keep Reading

Image Islamic State is pushed back, White Power is on the rise. Sunrise in the morning. News at 11. [Lima Charlie News]

December 20, 2018

Lima Charlie - Loud & Clear

Featured