From Globalization to Populism – Part I Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (15 October 2020) — In a recent keynote address I gave to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Jamaica (ICAJ) business webinar, on 8 October 2020, on the topic, “From Globalization to Populism”, I discussed factors driving this change, as well as the implications of the shift taking place in several countries from a global to a nationalist perspective. In particular, I explored, briefly, the shift in...
Trump’s Foreign Policy by the Seat of his Pants Ambassador Curtis A. Ward Understanding United States foreign policy can be perplexing. However, American foreign policy, though complex, usually has been logical and coherent. Astute observers, and by extension foreign governments, could pierce the veil of American foreign policy to reach certain conclusions about underlying objectives. Each U.S. president had a framework – a national security and geopolitical strategy – which provided...
Venezuela Exposes the Weaknesses of Regional and International Organizations Ambassador Curtis A. Ward I firmly defend collective action by intergovernmental organizations acting responsibly to resolve intractable problems which have proven to be beyond the scope of domestic institutions within the affected state. I do not grade these organizations by their successes or failures, but on whether they have the political will and the moral authority to make a good faith effort to bring about a...
Blackmailing Pakistan is Bad U. S. Policy Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (07 January 2018) — Anyone who understands the geopolitical and security dynamics of Pakistan and neighboring countries – Afghanistan, Iran, India, and China – and the complex and variable relationships between and among these countries, must be scratching their heads trying to figure out current U.S. strategy in the region. Arguably, the most plausible conclusion is that by undermining the Pakistani military, as...
Hopes, Fears, and Challenges for 2018 – the Global Landscape Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (29 December 2017) — In 2018 the international community – not an abstract term, but humanity – will face serious challenges to international peace and security, human development, and human security. There will be new challenges, but most are being carried over and are a result of, or exacerbated by lack of responsible leadership and timely action to ameliorate or prevent increasing threats...
Defying Trump’s Blackmail on UN Vote – Caribbean Countries Divided Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (21 December 2017) — The recent decision by President Donald Trump to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was in complete defiance of United Nations resolutions and international norms. Trump’s decision was in contravention of UN resolutions which have stood for decades. The Palestinians and countries around the world...
Hemispheric Issues under the Radar as Global Tensions Rise Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (14 Oct. 2017) -– Rising tensions over the past several weeks between the United States and two foreign adversaries – North Korea and Iran have focused our attention globally while we pay scant attention to issues in the Western Hemisphere. Important developments in the hemisphere between the United States and the countries of Cuba and Venezuela should be watched carefully by the governments and people of...
Confusion and Chaos in Trump’s Administration Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (06 Oct. 2017) — Diplomats in Washington and political leaders around the world are confused about what to expect from the Donald Trump Administration. Most democracies and free market countries rely on America’s leadership on important geopolitical, international security, and other global issues. Now, trust in America’s instincts, judgment, and leadership is being questioned in capitals around the world...
The Ward Post Bi-Monthly Brief Vol. 2. No. 4. (July – August 2017) The Ward Post Bi-Monthly Brief brings together in one convenient location a synopsis of, and links to the TWP blogs posted during the two previous months. U.S. Sanctions won’t stop Venezuela Bleeding: Will the UN Security Council Act Responsibly? (08/31/2017) by Ambassador Curtis A. Ward writes, “The targeted sanctions imposed by the United States on Venezuelan individuals and entities will not be sufficient...
Drums of War Trump UN North Korean Sanctions Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (13 Aug. 2017) — An unusual show of unanimity in the United Nations Security Council imposing new, meaningful targeted commodity and financial sanctions against North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea -DPRK) is on the brink of collapse with the bellicosity from U.S. President Donald Trump. The response by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to the UN sanctions was not unexpected. The response from Donald...
