What We Cover in This ePublication

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The January 2026 Fair Observer Monthly delves into the complex interplay of politics and geopolitics across key regions. In this January monthly, there is an intense focus on Latin America following US President Donald Trump’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Alfredo Toro Hardy, a regular author, an eminent retired Venezuelan diplomat and noted scholar, explains Latin America’s two contrasting colonial histories and cultural legacies. Leonardo Vivas, another Venezuelan who is a professor of international politics and a sociologist as well, examines Venezuela’s recent history amid ongoing turmoil. Gary Grappo, a former US ambassador, also analyzes Venezuela in the light of repeated American interventions in the region.

Outside the Americas, writer Yusuf M. Hassan exposes Israel’s neocolonial exploitation of Somaliland, while Middle East analyst Wladimir van Wilgenburg draws attention to the forgotten Kurdish fighters in Kobani, Syria, and Assistant Editor Farhang Faraydoon Namdar analyzes Iran’s internal and external conflicts. Lawyers Douglas Hauer and Roman Ivanov emphasize the need for security guarantees in Moldova as part of any Ukraine-Russia peace deal. Elliot Neaman, a professor of European intellectual history, envisions Germany’s emergence as a middle-sized military power amid an anarchic global order, while Harun Karčić, journalist and political analyst, reveals Bosnia’s quiet rearmament through its growing defense industry. Atul Singh, our founder and editor-in-chief, gives us a detailed account of rising China-Japan tensions that have now risen to their highest level since World War II and the risks that lie ahead.

Navigating global economic dynamics and social challenges

Economic shifts and financial power struggles also take center stage. German economist Alex Gloy analyzes the escalating battle over the US Federal Reserve’s leadership, which is causing broader global economic uncertainties, while Japanese economist Masaaki Yoshimori tracks Japan’s innovative fiscal policies. Dominic and Imogen Alessio, a professor of intellectual history and a student, respectively, highlight Greenland’s strategic importance and the economic dimensions of Arctic geopolitics even as American policies undergo a historic shift.

On environmental and social issues, Rahul Dev, an India-based governance and political systems professional, issues an urgent call to preserve the experimental and historic township of Auroville, emphasizing the challenges of sustainable community-building. Leah Schmidt of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy critiques the cultural and political rhetoric surrounding the Make America Great Again movement and transgender issues shaping public discourse today.

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Content of Publication

MAGA’s Trans Strawman: All Filler, No Brain – Leah Schmidt

Somalia Must Confront Israeli Neocolonial Exploitation of “Somaliland” – Yusuf M. Hassan

The US Invades a Latin American Country — Again – Gary Grappo

China-Japan Tensions Rise to Highest Levels Since World War II – Atul Singh

Moldova Needs Security Guarantees as Part of Any Ukraine–Russia Peace Deal – Douglas Hauer, Roman Ivanov

Beyond the Fog of War: Venezuela’s Democracy is at Stake – Leonardo Vivas

Why Is Iran Declaring War on Multiple Countries When It’s at War With Itself? – Farhang Faraydoon Namdar

Once an Economic Giant, Japan Now Tests a New Fiscal Path — and the World Is Watching – Masaaki Yoshimori

Saving Auroville: A Call for Immediate Intervention – Rahul Dev

Trump vs. Powell: The War for the Federal Reserve Escalates – Alex Gloy

Bosnia’s Quiet Rearmament: How a Small Defense Industry Is Becoming Europe’s Hidden Supplier – Harun Karčić

Imagine There’s No NATO: Germany as a New Middle-Sized Military Power in an Anarchic International Order – Elliot Neaman

Heroic Kurdish Fighters in Kobani Now Forgotten and Besieged – Wladimir van Wilgenburg

Trump’s Alternative Options for Greenland Post-Davos – Dominic Alessio, Imogen Alessio

The Two Faces of Latin America – Alfredo Toro Hardy