Behind the Headlines: Rearranging the Geopolitical Chessboard

[Ennio]

Rearranging the Geopolitical Chessboard: Turkey's about-face, Istanbul attacks, Brexit's bombshell

In a single week, several major events have seemingly radically restructured the geopolitical chessboard. From the surprise of Brexit to Turkish President Erdogan's unexpected apology over the shoot-down of a Russian jet in Syria, people all over the world are wondering what is up. Just a day after the announcement of Erdogan's apology, Istanbul airport was attacked by a trio of assailants. European nations are lining up with complaints about anti-Russian sanctions. The U.S. is scrambling to retain some control over the war in Syria, this time offering to work with Russia, but with conditions attached.

Today on Behind the Headlines, we'll be discussing all these events and more, in their wider context. Tune in on Sunday, 12 pm Eastern.

 

[taratai]

Just wanted to note that you shouldn't really worry about what Wałęsa says - he might be famous in the world, but in Poland, he's not really treated seriously. He's not the person he's made to be outside the country.

Basically the only ones to treat him as an authority are the neoliberal media and their followers, and that's only because they are desperate for any authority figures at all (it's a pretty desolate place here as far as authorities go :P ). Unluckily for them, Wałęsa is a person that talks first and thinks later, and has a very overinflated ego, so he repeatedly makes himself look like a fool (i have to admit it, though - watching them trying to whitewash his mistakes at any cost can be pretty amusing).

The rest either doesn't care (younger generations), hates him for his arrogance and feels betrayed (those in the Solidarity movement that didn't become part of the post communist establishment), or treats him as a clown (those that are old enough to remember him being the president).

What is worrisome is that Wałęsa's opinion on the plane subject actually is shared by most of Poland's establishment, and by a big part of the population... (to the point that they would gladly see another war with Russia, just because it's Russia)