What We Cover in This ePublication

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The December 2025 Fair Observer Monthly captures a complex global landscape characterized by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and environmental challenges. Political analyst Halmat Palani examines how Washington’s support for Ahmed al-Sharaa could usher in a new era of authoritarianism in Syria. Abdul Galil Shaif, a South Yemeni scholar and political advocate, explores how regional conflicts could intensify because of overweening Houthi ambitions. Chinese economist Jiahao Yuan explains the reasons for the rapid deterioration of Sino-Japanese relations, while our regular author Alfredo Toro Hardy, an eminent Venezuelan diplomat and scholar, explores how the US is bracing for a potential confrontation with China.  Also, author Ranjani Iyer Mohanty questions Canada’s involvement in the Russia–Ukraine War.

Economic strains, technological landscape, environmental challenges and social strains

German economist Alex Gloy details the unfolding economic battle in Europe over frozen Russian assets, while Japanese economist Masaaki Yoshimori examines how the US dollar’s status as the world’s safe-haven currency is under threat amid trade wars and tariff disputes. Silicon Valley technologist Mark Cummings warns that the AI industry faces bottlenecks in chip production and financing because of the exponential growth of AI model sizes. Portuguese author Cláudia Nunes argues that regulatory shifts, such as the GAIN AI Act, inadvertently strengthen China’s domestic AI ecosystem and reshape the global technological landscape.

Young American author Brent Nevy calls for integrating blue economy strategies with green transitions to address climate threats and resource depletion. Sri Lankan analyst Asanga Abeyagoonasekera explains how floods in South Asia represent rising climate risks and the governments’ failure to address them. Brazilian scientist Karin Schmalz explains how rising gender-based violence sparks widespread protests in her country. British author Ellis Cashmore, our resident sociologist, details how media battles, exemplified by Netflix’s high-stakes deals, illustrate the shifting contours of global influence and cultural power.

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Content of Publication

Washington’s Gamble on Ahmed al-Sharaa Could Push Syria Toward a New Authoritarian Era – Halmat Palani

Warnings are Escalating: Sino-Japanese Relations are Deteriorating Rapidly – Jiahao Yuan

Why Is Canada Involved in the Russia–Ukraine War? – Ranjani Iyer Mohanty

The Silent Waters: Rebuilding a Nation Amid Loss, Failure and Rising Climate Threats – Asanga Abeyagoonasekera

The US and Its Incoming War With China – Alfredo Toro Hardy

The Battle Over Euroclear and Russia’s Frozen Billions – Alex Gloy

Could Netflix Win the Deal but Lose the Media War? – Ellis Cashmore

Houthi Ambitions and the Southern State: A Regional Flashpoint – Abdul Galil Shaif

The Dollar at a Crossroads: Trade Wars, Tariffs and Stress on the World’s Safe-Haven Currency – Masaaki Yoshimori

A Regional Compact for Afghanistan: Why Neighbors Must Act Together to Secure Stability – Ashraf Haidari

How the GAIN AI Act Could Hand the AI Hardware Race to China – Cláudia Nunes

The 10X AI Bottleneck and the Future of Financial Markets – Mark Cummings

The Green Transition Needs a Blue Transition, Too – Brent Nevy

The Ontological Fraud of Silicon Valley’s Monk Mode – Catherine Lapey

To Live Without Fear: Brazilian Protests Denounce Rise in Gender-Based Violence – Karin Schmalz