L’incertaine paix de Trump dans l’Afrique des Grands Lacs
- The long-standing conflict in Eastern Africa's Great Lakes region is of interest to the United States due to its abundance of resources such as rare earths, lithium, tantalum and coltan.
- The conflict involves Rwanda, who has seen economic success but also demonstrated authoritarian and expansionist tendencies, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a massive but decaying state.
- US President Donald Trump has shown interest in acquiring mining rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo in exchange for promoting diplomacy and peace.
- Rwanda's development model is based on stability and a business-friendly climate, making it potentially susceptible to pressures from Washington.
- The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, led by Félix Tshisekedi, is in a state of insecurity and has little control over the mining regions.
- Rwandan leader, Paul Kagame, is unpredictable and his intent on controlling his neighbor's mining resources is concerning.
Conclusion: Donald Trump's intervention in the conflict, whilst possibly motivated by pride and commercial interests rather than purely humanitarian interests, has had an effect on easing the stalemate of the conflict. However, the contradictory messages and changing priorities may prove problematic.
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El 'perdón' de Maduro deja en evidencia al Gobierno español
- The Spanish Government has failed to secure the release of Spanish citizens imprisoned in Venezuela.
- The regime of Nicolas Maduro released 45 people in a Christmas act of grace, but did not include prisoners with Spanish-Venezuelan dual nationality.
- The French government has secured the release of three French prisoners, highlighting Spain's inaction.
- The actions and good relations of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero with the Maduro regime have not achieved results.
- The government of Pedro Sánchez has not responded to the invitation to the families of detainees this week.
- The stance taken against Maduro's illegitimate regime is a moral demand supported by the vast majority of the international community.
Conclusion: The Spanish government has shown a lack of effectiveness in both diplomatic actions and its moral stance against the Maduro regime, resulting in the non-release of Spanish citizens imprisoned in Venezuela on political grounds.
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El plan de paz de Zelenski, por Editorial
- The war between Ukraine and Russia continues in spite of unfulfilled promises of a quick resolution.
- Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructures to weaken the morale of its citizens by depriving them of basic services.
- Ukraine’s president, Volodímir Zelenski, has made public a 20-point peace plan negotiated with the United States.
- The plan does not require Ukraine to formally abandon its goal of joining NATO, an important issue for Russia.
- The plan offers Ukraine security guarantees and envisages future accession to the European Union.
- No agreement has been reached on long-term territorial issues, including the Donetsk region and the Zaporiyia nuclear power plant.
- The plan opens the possibility for Ukrainian troop withdrawal from Donetsk, contingent on Russia doing the same.
- Zelenski has hinted at the possibility of a referendum on the plan or sending it to the Ukrainian Parliament for ratification.
- The plan acknowledges elements from American, European, Ukrainian and Russian standpoints.
Conclusion: The future of the peace plan rests on Russia's acceptance, which requires Ukraine's resignation to NATO and maintains the occupation of Ukrainian territories.
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Desalojo e irresponsabilidad
- The eviction of the former B9 institute in Badalona highlights the vulnerability of the homeless in Spain.
- The eviction was carried out at the request of the Badalona City Council, under the leadership of Xavier García Albiol (PP), who has been criticized for not providing housing options for the evicted people.
- Only 166 of the more than 400 people living in the place were being monitored by municipal social services.
- Sufficient measures have not been taken to address the social emergency that the settlement supposes.
- Albiol has been criticized for exonerating himself from responsibility and leveraging the situation to advance his political career.
- Mayor Albiol has tried to shake off responsibilities and blame the central government and President Pedro Sánchez.
Conclusion: Greater commitment and tangible solutions for the housing and immigration problem are needed from all administrations rather than criminalizing and shifting responsibilities.
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Opinion | A Free World Needs a Strong America
- The Trump administration has drastically shifted the role and perceptions of US military power.
- War tactics have shifted from defense, deterrence and cooperation to aggression and arms sales for self profit.
- The Trump administration has downplayed the importance of alliances and fidelity to democratic values.
- Trump argues the strategic shift is justified by the increasing threat posed by China and Russia.
- The president has favored financial gains and downplayed the importance of soft power.
- The administration has discarded democratic values and principles for national interest.
Conclusion: Trump's focus on profits and disregard for democratic values threatens national security and the US's position as a global leader. There is an urgent need to revert to the strategies and approaches that led to the victory in the Cold War.
View previous editorials for The New York Times
Nomination du gouvernement Bayrou : le Premier ministre veut peser face à l’Elysée
- There will be a new government by Christmas, headed by François Bayrou, including heavyweight figures like Elisabeth Borne and Gérald Darmanin.
- Manuel Valls has been tasked with handling the thorny issue of Overseas territories.
- The appointment of a newcomer to Bercy could run counter to Bayrou's attempt at exerting influence.
- Without signaling to the left, Bayrou's government may be at risk of being censured.
- The absence of Xavier Bertrand in the government may indicate some risk regarding its relationship with the RN.
Conclusion: Bayrou's new government seems to be trying to balance politics with the inclusion of heavyweights, but this could result in internal conflicts and potential censorship issues.
View previous editorials for Liberation
The Guardian view on Macron, Scholz and Europe’s future: a question of ambition | Editorial
- The French president has called for an EU reset to combat the threat of the far-right.
- Signs of a significant rightward shift in Europe are unmistakable, with parties such as the Rassemblement National in France and AfD in Germany polling well ahead of rivals.
- Despite internal rifts, these radical right-wing parties have substantial financial backing.
- Emmanuel Macron argues that a massive investment in challenges such as the green transition and defence boost can help combat this rise of illiberal extremism.
- It has been suggested that these investments can be financed by joint borrowing tools like those successfully rolled out during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Macron's approach clashes with traditional German views on the desirability of shared European debt.
- Macron is pursuing a long-term vision similar to that of Alexander Hamilton post-American Revolution, aiming to bind together the various components of the European Union.
Conclusion: Though hurdles in countries like France and Germany make the prospects of a shift ahead of the upcoming elections look slim, Macron has highlighted the need for a fiscal reset in the interest of growth, unity, and solidarity.
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Adoctrinamiento y sectarismo: el despilfarro con Broncano
- The contract of RTVE with El Terrat to sign David Broncano is more than 28 million euros for two seasons.
- The contract conditions are very advantageous for the producer and RTVE commits to maintain the program regardless of its audience.
- The contract generated controversy and precipitated a crisis in the public corporation.
- Broncano's signing seeks to modernize TVE and improve its audience data.
- The drawback is that the focus is shifting more towards entertainment and the nightly news time has been cut.
- The decision to compete in the prime time slot with El Hormiguero points to Moncloa's intention to mitigate the social influence of Pablo Motos.
- It is doubtful that the program can attract an older age bracket on television.
- The 28 million expense is questionable, especially compared to the costs of other concerning projects.
- Broncano's signing is associated with the government's tactics to politicize public television.
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Editorial | Sequía e inversiones pendientes
- Catalonia is facing a severe shortage of rainfall, which has depleted the internal basins' reservoirs.
- Soon, the Catalonian government might declare a drought emergency in the area of Barcelona and the Ter-Llobregat supply system.
- The scarcity of water can lead to severe restrictions affecting most of the Catalan population.
- The lack of investment and progressiveness in implementing the necessary reforms have exacerbated the problem.
- Responsibilities of the problem are not exclusive to the current government and local councils but also previous ones.
Conclusion: The severity of the current situation could be the definitive push to take all necessary measures to better cope with future droughts.
View previous editorials for El Periodico