Foreign Digest: Liberia, United Kingdom, Syria, Pacific Free Trade Zone, Venezuela, Czech Republic

Liberia

            The peaceful transition of power from one party to another was completed this week in Liberia, as power George Weah succeeded Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Liberian President.  Johnson had been Liberia’s first democratically-elected president twelve years ago.

United Kingdom

            Following the establishment of an anti-disinformation committee by the European Union last week, the United Kingdom, which is exiting the EU by 2019, this week established its own task force to combat disinformation and fake news.

Syria

Syria’s Bashar Assad regime has again used chemical weapons against civilians, another report concluded this week.  Iran and Russia back the tyrannical Syrian regime, which is a state sponsor of terrorism. 

Pacific Free Trade Zone

            The eleven major Pacific states reached a free trade deal yesterday.  In the absence of the United States, after the Trump Administration withdrew from negotiations for a trans-pacific, the negotiations were led by Communist China.     

Venezuela

            The Supreme Court of Venezuela today barred the democratic opposition from participation in national legislative elections in April.

Czech Republic

           Presidential elections are being held in the Czech Republic today.  The pro-Russian president is being challenged by a pro-Western opponent.  There is Russian influence in the presidential elections on behalf of the   incumbent.