José Carlos Palma - International Studies of Strategic and Geopolitics

Opinion: France’s Political Crisis and Its Ripple Effects Across Europe

4Dec

By José Carlos PalmaNo Comments

José Carlos Palma, Strategic Horizons by José Carlos Palma

Opinion: France’s Political Crisis and Its Ripple Effects Across Europe

By José Carlos Palma* The ousting of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier by an unprecedented alliance of the left and far right represents more than just a domestic political crisis; it signals a seismic shift with profound implications for the European Union’s stability and cohesion. As Europe grapples with multifaceted challenges—a political stalemate in Germany, the war in Ukraine, and the impending presidency of Donald Trump in the United States—France’s internal turmoil could exacerbate the fractures in an already fragile union. France’s Role in European Leadership France, alongside Germany, has traditionally been a cornerstone of the European Union. President Emmanuel Macron’s vision of a “sovereign Europe” has sought to counterbalance external pressures from Russia, China, and...

Russia-Iran Nuclear Threat: The Next Global Crisis?

15Sep

By José Carlos PalmaNo Comments

Strategic Horizons by José Carlos Palma, José Carlos Palma

Russia-Iran Nuclear Threat: The Next Global Crisis?

By José Carlos Palma* José Palma(ISSG): Welcome back to Strategic Horizons, where we dig into the most pressing international stories. Today’s topic could reshape not just current conflicts but the future of global security and the deepening military cooperation between Russia and Iran. It’s been a dramatic development, with implications for the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, and beyond. With me are experts in international relations and military strategy Alexander Turner* and Daniel Robinson*. José Palma: So, let’s recap. On Friday, US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a critical summit in Washington. One of the key issues discussed was Russia potentially sharing nuclear secrets with Iran in exchange for ballistic missiles. This collaboration has set off alar...

Afghanistan: A Factory of Terrorism – A Deep Analysis

31Aug

By José Carlos PalmaNo Comments

Study Office, Asia

Afghanistan: A Factory of Terrorism – A Deep Analysis

By José Carlos Palma* Introduction In the years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country has become a breeding ground for terrorism, posing a significant threat not only to its neighbors but also to global security. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government in August 2021 and the subsequent rise of the Taliban created a power vacuum that various extremist groups, most notably the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), have exploited to expand their operations. This analysis explores how Afghanistan has evolved into a "terrorism factory" and the implications for regional and global security. The Taliban's Reign: Fertile Ground for Extremism When the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, they inherited a country deeply scarred by decades of conflict, pove...

The Information War in Kursk: A New Front in the Ukraine Conflict

29Aug

By José Carlos PalmaNo Comments

Russia and Eurasia, Regions

The Information War in Kursk: A New Front in the Ukraine Conflict

By José Carlos Palma* As Ukraine's military operation in Kursk unfolds, it is clear that this battle is not only being fought on the ground but also in the realm of information. This new phase in the war has revealed significant shifts in the information front, where narratives are being contested reel by reel across the globe. Russia's Propaganda Machine Stumbles The rapid advance of Ukrainian forces in Kursk left Russia's propaganda apparatus in disarray. Initially, Russian state media struggled to maintain a consistent narrative. Some outlets downplayed the Ukrainian incursion as a minor skirmish, while others contradicted this by claiming that "thousands" of Ukrainian troops had been killed, despite earlier reports suggesting only 1,000 soldiers had crossed the border. The confusi...

Analysis: Hamas Leader’s Assassination Puts Iran’s New President in a Tight Spot

31Jul

By José Carlos PalmaNo Comments

Contributors, Middle East, Regions

Analysis: Hamas Leader’s Assassination Puts Iran’s New President in a Tight Spot

By José Carlos Palma* Tehran, July 31, 2024 — The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the prominent Hamas leader, in Tehran on the same day as the inauguration of Iran’s new President, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, has thrown the Iranian administration into a complex and precarious situation. The killing, widely attributed to Israel, not only strikes at Haniyeh but also directly challenges the newly inaugurated Pezeshkian, who is now facing a critical test of his administration's capabilities and policies. Haniyeh's death comes at a significant moment: shortly after Pezeshkian, a moderate reformist, took office. The timing of the assassination appears to be a strategic move by Israel, aimed at creating a multifaceted dilemma for the new Iranian leadership. By targeting a key ally of Iran dramatica...

Pacific Islands Face Daunting Debt Crisis with China: Can They Find a Way Out?

29Jul

By José Carlos PalmaNo Comments

Asian Economics, Economics

Pacific Islands Face Daunting Debt Crisis with China: Can They Find a Way Out?

By José Carlos Palma* In recent years, Pacific Island nations have experienced a dramatic increase in debt to China, as the Asian superpower becomes the region's largest lender. While infrastructure projects funded by these loans, such as roads and bridges, have spurred local development, the growing debt burden is raising concerns about long-term financial stability and economic sustainability. The Heavy Price of Progress Take Vanuatu, for example. In 2019, a $63 million loan from China funded the construction of a new tar-sealed road on Tanna Island, easing travel and boosting the local economy. Martha Kapalu, a resident, praises the road for making travel easier and improving access to markets and tourist attractions. However, Vanuatu’s financial situation is now strained, as the n...

21Apr

By José Carlos PalmaNo Comments

Cybersecurity & Technology, Cybersecurity

Cybercom Establishes AI Task Force

By José Carlos Palma* In a strategic move aimed at enhancing cybersecurity capabilities, U.S. Cyber Command (Cybercom) has launched an artificial intelligence task force dedicated to identifying and implementing cutting-edge technologies. The initiative stems from an AI roadmap developed by Cybercom in response to a mandate from Congress, as part of the fiscal 2023 annual defense policy bill. This legislation tasked Cybercom, along with key stakeholders such as the Department of Defense chief information officer and the director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to devise a comprehensive five-year plan for the rapid adoption and acquisition of AI systems for cyber operations forces. "U.S. Cybercom has developed an AI roadmap and is working to ...