Killing the other side’s negotiators is a sure-fire way of ending talks
I’ll get to the Russian drones shot down over Poland, but I’ll start with the Israeli air strikes on Qatar because that’s a much bigger deal.
Israel ...
Scandal at Washington embassy
Peter Mandelson’s excellent relations with US President Donald Trump could not save his job as UK’s ambassador in Washington. Guilt by association owing to his close friendship with ...
Two key energy projects going nowhere
It has been a tumultuous week for energy in Cyprus. Its two biggest projects, the import of LNG at Vasilikos and the GSI electrical interconnector, were in the limelight mostly ...
Trump’s economic policies may have number of long-term effects
In a recent article, we discussed the short-term effects of President Trump’s economic policies on global equity and bond markets. Today, we will try to analyse the long-term effects, ...
A questionable allocation of financial resources
Cyprus’ GDP is growing rapidly and banks are making big profits, but is the welfare of most people benefiting from such developments? The answer is a definite no as the ...
When flags and anthems cause a spat
If Cyprus has problems of identity so too does the UK
Flags and national anthems were in the news in UK and Cyprus lately in ways that caused mild but ...
Too much of a good thing
We’re all subjective when it comes to what we consume for sustenance or pleasure. The rich can be picky and pricy about what they eat, the poor are stuck ...
How American energy interests play in our neighbourhood
American oil companies became involved in the Middle East right from the start of the oil industry in the region. A Standard Oil subsidiary, that later became Chevron, gained concessions ...
Erratic Trump could yet provide peace in Ukraine
Over the past 10 days we have witnessed intense activity over the Russian-Ukrainian war, with an array of emotions engulfing the interested parties as well as the general public at large.
...
The two brainless remarks of this summer
By Flora Alexandrou
From antiquity to the present, wise voices have warned that a reckless word can ignite hatred, belittle human suffering, corrode trust, spark fear, or even turn ignorance ...
Information is key to economic decision-making
In modern economies, which are characterised by complexity and continuous change, information plays a vital role in resource allocation and price developments. Analysts and professionals base their perceptions and actions ...
Don’t hold your breath, but hope springs eternal
On August 8, 2025, in the gilded halls of the White House, a handshake between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev marked what many thought impossible – a declaration ...
Trump may very well go to Moscow
But a ceasefire and security guarantees need to be broached before any talk of land for peace
Next time in Moscow would make a great sequel to Midnight in Moscow, ...
The EU is preparing to destroy digital privacy – and Cyprus supports it
By Andreas Shialaros
On October 14, 2025, the European Union will vote on legislation that could fundamentally alter digital privacy across Europe – a regulation requiring communication platforms to automatically scan all messages, ...
My war is/was more important than yours
An Irish friend in Thessaloniki wondered why there was little coverage in Europe on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, a member state, part of whose land is ...
From golf greens to government statistics: cheating is now endemic
A few weeks ago, President Donald Trump visited Scotland in a semi-private capacity to inaugurate a new golf course owned by his family business. In a widely circulated video, one ...
Israel should provide positive proof journalist was a terrorist
Widespread scepticism over reason for his death as it has not yet done so
There was widespread condemnation of the killing by Israel of Anas Al Sharif, the Palestinian Al ...
Tariffs as a tool of geoeconomics
Just over 100 days since “Liberation Day” – the moment President Trump unveiled his new international trade rules – a seismic shift is underway in the global economic order.
On August 7, the latest ...
The need for a new industrial policy in the EU
The EU is currently facing adverse shocks that reflect inherent weaknesses, including: (a) the difficulty in building consensus and promoting unified positions, (b) an over-dependence on the US, especially on ...
The beautiful friendship between Trump and Putin
It seems there will be a summit between presidents Trump and Putin to discuss Ukraine in the absence of Ukraineand Europe. There has been no diplomatic preparation for a summit, ...
Planning for climate change: caught unprepared
Wildfires, droughts, increased electricity demand, impacts on agriculture and tourism: with climate change they have not only become permanent but are intensifying. And making it even more challenging, the Mediterranean ...
Our Cypriot Kakistocracy isn’t imposed. It’s elected
By Flora Alexandrou
With its Greek-tinged tone, kakistocracy is a word familiar to some, unfamiliar to many, yet more relevant than ever and increasingly accurate in describing systems we still ...
Have politicians lost all compassion and conscience?
Absolute power, especially held over long periods, can corrupt absolutely. Not always in evil ways, but in how the powerful can feel no compunction, once in office, to serve as ...
Of apes, men and war
Now would be a good time to watch a Netflix documentary series called Chimp Empire. It’s about one year of an ongoing war between two bands of chimpanzees, shot ...