The dispute between Greece and Germany is reaching back into the past. Greece has revived its claims for reparations done by German troops in World War II. There is little question, even among Germans, that the devastation of Greece during the war was extensive. The question is whether sufficient reparations have already been made. Greece was never part of the World War II settlement between Germany and the allies (the US, France, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain). The Greeks are threatening a number of actions based upon their claims, all of which will inflame the situation further.
NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) continues to insist that Russia has not conformed to the cease-fire agreement and continues to pour heavy weapons into the rebel-held areas of Ukraine. Unfortunately, it did not produce the hard evidence necessary to prove the point to US allies such as Germany who do not wish to escalate the crisis by sending weapons to the Kiev government as a counterweight to Russia influence. At this point it appears as if Putin still retains the initiative in the crisis and will until the economic sanctions produce a change in the political calculations of the Russian people.
Human Rights Watch has issued a new report on the working conditions in the clothing factories of Cambodia. The factories produces clothes for some of the popular brands in the US and Europe, but few consumers are aware of the conditions in which their clothes are made. The report is a litany of abuses and describes an environment that can only be described as slavery. Globalization has certainly benefited many, but its costs for some are incredibly high.
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