John Metzler

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John J. Metzler is a longtime U.N. correspondent who has reported from fifty-five countries and regularly visits Europe and the Far East to observe national elections, conflicts, and economic development.

He is the author of Divided Dynamism; The Diplomacy of Separated Nations Germany, Korea and China (University Press of America, 1996). Mr. Metzler writes weekly for Free Press International.

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Political theater continues on Palestine’s UN membership

The United Nations General Assembly massively endorsed a plan which brings the State of Palestine one step closer to full membership in the 193-member multinational body. In a lopsided vote of 143 to 9 with 23 abstentions, the Assembly passed a resolution which seemingly puts Palestine on the long-awaited path to membership.

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Communist leader in Paris: After the Cognac, a cool reception

Paris in the Springtime! A perfect setting and venue for China’s Chairman Xi Jinping to visit to discuss geopolitics and commerce with French President Emmanuel Macron on whose politically pivotal position inside the European Union remains crucial.

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UN committee on N. Korea closes after Russia's veto

In a classic under the political radar ploy, Russia has vetoed a UN committee investigating North Korean nuclear, missile, and banking sanctions violations.

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Communist China extinguished Hong Kong beacon of freedom

There was no hint of dissent in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council as its 88 members passed Article 23, a piece of draconian domestic Security legislation which “complements” Beijing’s own 2020 Security stamp on the Special Administrative Region. Instead, the local lawmakers, led by Chief Executive John Lee, proudly called their unanimous vote a “Historic Moment.”

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Killing of student leads Iran's youth to 'tune out' regime

Iran’s regime has been firmly condemned by a UN fact-finding mission investigating the unprovoked killing of Masha Amina two years ago, in a incident which set off nationwide protests.

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Western Europe comfort zone threatened by Ukraine storm

A stormy geopolitical weather front is converging on Western Europe as the Ukrainian war in the East has entered its third year with no end in sight.

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Staunch rhetorical support for Ukraine sovereignty at UN

In a powerful vote of confidence for Ukraine’s sovereignty and continuing independence, both the UN Security Council and General Assembly met to show political strong support for the embattled country, two years after the 2022 Russian invasion.

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Actual winner of disputed Pakistan election sits in jail

Pakistan is politically on the brink again in the aftermath of fractious and inconclusive national parliamentary elections which ended with a wavering question mark hanging over this land of 241 million people like a political Damocles sword. Two former prime ministers, both of whom are bitter rivals and equally mired in alleged corruption, were vying for the top spot.

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Russia fills Subh-Saharan Africa power vacuum as France fades

The systemic chaos which has befallen a string of countries in the Sub-Saharan Sahel region has gone largely unnoticed by most of the media, except perhaps for Boko Haram’s mass kidnappings in Nigeria.

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UN report warns: World economy facing ‘fragile resilience’

While the world economy performed better than expected during 2023, tough times loom in the upcoming year. That’s according to the UN’s annual report “World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024.”

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Election reaffirms Taiwan’s dynamic democracy

Taiwan held free presidential elections and communist China glared.

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In the new year: Flashpoints, elections, humanitarian crises

Looking into the snow globe, it’s that time of year to predict and prognosticate what awaits this tired world in the New Year. There’s a certain trepidation in the air as we view the current and emerging crises, especially during a highly contested election year in so many key countries.

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North Korea is now in a league of its own for missile proliferation

There they go again! North Korea’s reclusive communist regime ended the year with a provocative intercontinental ballistic launch, flying near Japan and splashing down in the Pacific.

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Socialist Venezuela targets neighboring 'Free' Guyana

Venezuela’s ruling Marxists are using some time-honored tricks to give their economically battered regime an edge for next year’s presidential elections. In a classic political mobilization tactic, President Nicolas Maduro held a “referendum” to ask his citizens what the future status should be for a mineral rich but disputed region of a neighboring country, namely Guyana.

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Behind the Mideast wildfire: Iran’s expanding oil sales

As violence explodes throughout the Middle East, from Gaza to Yemen, and Syria to Iraq, the political fingerprints of the Islamic Republic of Iran become increasingly obvious on this regional tableaux of terror.

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