World Politics News   Articles for World Politics Course

Students all over the world demonstrated in favor of more effective policies to stop climate change. Rolling Stone has photographs from many of these demonstrations which seemed to be largest in European states. The protests follow the example of Greta Thunberg, a 16 year-old Swedish youth, who protested last fall outside the Swedish Parliament for the world’s inaction on this most pressing issue. There were estimates of over a million participants in the class walk-outs. Many of the protests targeted politicians who have refused to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem.

Climate Protest in South Africa

North Korea has signaled that it is losing confidence in the negotiating process with the US and that it may restart its testing program. It is difficult to gauge the seriousness of the threat: it may be real dissatisfaction or merely a bargaining tactic. The North Koreans identified US Secretary of State Pompeo and National Security Adviser Bolton as obstacles to an agreement. The charge is likely accurate as both men have been adamantly opposed to any agreement with North Korea in the past. It is not clear what the US response would be if North Korea restarts its testing program, but there is little reason to believe that the two sides have made much progress in the two summit meetings.

For the 18th straight weekend, protesters wearing yellow vests demonstrated in the streets of Paris. The protesters ransacked upscale shops and banks as the protests have taken a decidedly populist turn. The protests are not as large as they were when they began last November, but dedicated protesters have rebuffed President Macron’s request for dialogues. There were many arrests, but the authorities seem to be helpless in addressing the anger of the protesters.