In the absence of meaningful, transparent action boycotts and embargoes carry little weight amounting to nothing more than lip service and being seen to say the right thing. Tapping into this blatant hypocrisy often peddled by those from so-called developed, civilized nations the world's despots and autocrats continue to operate almost entirely unmolested in a…
Adria Airways and Sukhoi: Cancelled agreement mired in claim and counterclaim
The dramatic cancellation of a deal to supply Slovenian flag-carrier Adria Airways with a phased delivery of fifteen Sukhoi Superjets has provoked a divergence of reasons behind the now annulled agreement. Much is therefore unclear, although it is blatantly unequivocal that both parties will insist on pursuing their own face-saving narrative. The need for owners…
Slovenia: Pohorje ski resort to invest in a diversified future
A proposal to substantially invest in Slovenia's Pohorje ski resort highlights the need for lower-lying areas reliant upon winter sports income to diversify their business models, in the face of the very real threat posed by global warming. In the east of the country Pohorje is in effect the playground for the Mariborcani, much in…
Slovenia: Bovec seeks European Union stimulus for cross-border developments on Mount Kanin
Much has changed for the Bovec region of northwestern Slovenia since the cessation of operations in January 2013 of its iconic and eponymous Kanin cableway, precipitated by a near-catastrophic fall to earth of several of its carriages. The reason to this day for the collapse has never been ascertained, or at least been made public.…
The UK: Bilateral trade and economic cooperation placed ahead of Turkmenistan’s many Human Rights violations
A meeting held in Ashgabat between Turkmenistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, and the UK Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department of Digital, Media, Culture, and Sport, Lord Ashton of Hyde, amount to a tacit endorsement by London of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedow's totalitarian regime, one squarely accused of countless human…
Macedonia referendum: Greece calls the shots as Russia plays the fall guy
Today's landmark plebiscite held in Macedonia could propel the former Yugoslav republic into the so called mainstream, potentially opening the door to the nation's entry into NATO and the European Union(EU). Equally so, a 'No' vote could confine the country to relative isolation and obscurity, although comparisons made by Skopje's mayor to seclusion on the…
Macedonia to become a player on the European and world stage, but at what cost?
In a headlong rush to facilitate entry into the European Union and NATO Macedonia's population are being presented with a multi-faceted, loaded question at the country's forthcoming plebiscite. Not only is consensus being sought with a view to joining the EU and a military alliance initially predicated on standing up to Stalin's USSR, there is…
Alpine Adventures, Soccer, Central Asian Autocracies & Secessionist Politics 