Diplomacy
Schiller Institute conference calls for new global paradigm amid turbulence
The Schiller Institute International Conference, held on May 24-25, 2025, convened a diverse group of international speakers to discuss “A Beautiful Vision for Humanity in Times of Great Turbulence.” Moderated by Dennis Speed of The Schiller Institute, the event aimed to catalyze intense discussion and reevaluation among global citizens, proposing a new security and development architecture to navigate the current tumultuous geopolitical landscape.
The conference began with a musical prelude, followed by an excerpt from a 1982 speech by the late Lyndon LaRouche, co-founder of The Schiller Institute. LaRouche’s historical analysis emphasized the foundational principles of the American republic and its intended role in fostering global progress, a theme that resonated throughout the subsequent discussions.
‘There is no problem human creativity can’t solve’
Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder of The Schiller Institute, delivered the keynote address, asserting her optimistic view of human potential. “We are the creative species,” she stated, emphasizing that “our creative reason is capable of always finding a solution to any problem on a higher plane.” Zepp-LaRouche called for a new paradigm in international relations, moving beyond geopolitical confrontations.
She critiqued the current global disarray, highlighting the regression into barbarism evident in conflicts like Gaza and the war in Ukraine. Zepp-LaRouche pointed to the self-inflicted economic crises in Europe, stemming from sanctions against Russia and “green ideology,” contrasting this with Germany’s post-World War II reconstruction. “Everything that was built up in Germany out of the rubber fields from the end of the Second World War is now being dismantled,” she lamented.
Zepp-LaRouche traced current tensions back to the post-Cold War era, arguing that the “historic chance of German unification was sabotaged through the geopolitical maneuvers of the neocons.” She cited broken promises regarding NATO expansion, referencing declassified documents and former German Foreign Minister Genscher’s “Tutzing formula,” which assured Gorbachev NATO would not extend eastward. “This was the original sin of the post-Cold War order,” she declared, quoting George Kennan’s 1997 critique of NATO expansion as a “tragic mistake.”
She contrasted the West’s approach with China’s economic success and the Belt and Road Initiative, which has lifted millions out of poverty. “If the US and EU declare China to be a systemic rival, the collective west has lost that race already,” Zepp-LaRouche asserted. She urged a shift from geopolitical confrontation to cooperation, invoking Nicholas of Cusa’s concept of harmonious development where each nation’s interest includes the development of all others. “Let us mobilize, therefore, and issue a passionate appeal for the peaceful transformation to a new epoch in human history,” she concluded, outlining a vision of future progress through fusion energy, space exploration, and global development initiatives like the World Land Bridge and the Oasis Plan.
‘The world is today at a precipice’
H.E. Naledi Pandor, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation for South Africa, described the current “toxic geopolitical environment” negatively affecting human advancement. She highlighted the rise of right-wing populism and chauvinistic nationalism, stating, “These reversals threaten our four decades of broadly peaceful coexistence.” Pandor called for progressive organizations to unite and restore multipolarity, focusing on global challenges like poverty, underdevelopment, and climate change. She praised South Africa’s efforts in bringing the case of Palestine before the International Court of Justice. “It is tragic that we’ve allowed over 18 months of slaughter of the people of Palestine,” she said, urging robust action to restore sanity and create a safer world. Pandor emphasized the growing importance of BRICS countries in changing the world order and focusing on humanity.
‘This multipolar world order is still to come’
Professor Zhang Weiwei from Fudan University, China, observed that while the world is already multipolar in terms of GDP (with BRICS surpassing G7), the “multipolar world order is still to come.” He characterized Russia as a “revolutionary” force seeking to undermine the unipolar order, China as a “reformer” aiming to improve the existing system, and the US under Trump as an “abandoner” looking backward. Professor Zhang presented three positive case studies from Asia: the “win-win” development model of China and ASEAN, China’s Belt and Road Initiative based on “discussing together, building together, benefiting together,” and China’s successful Green Deal, including the Taklamakan Desert Project, which offers a model for initiatives like the Oasis Plan.
‘The interests of the global humanity of the whole is more important than any country’s national interest’
H.E. Donald Ramotar, Former President of Guyana, condemned the “inhumanity of the international socioeconomic system,” particularly evident in the Gaza conflict, which he termed a “genocide.” He argued that the root of global crises is the attempt by imperialist states to maintain dominance and exploitation. Ramotar highlighted the crippling debt burden on Global South nations and the exploitative practices of transnational corporations. He pointed to BRICS as an alternative path, promoting mutually beneficial international relations. He called for a renewed campaign for nuclear abolition and greater organization among democratic, peace-loving forces.
Ambassador Jack Matlock, former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union, reflected on the end of the Cold War, emphasizing it was achieved through negotiation, not victory. He criticized the subsequent expansion of NATO, driven by Eastern European requests but ultimately transforming a defensive alliance into a potential offensive one. “It was not so much the expansion of NATO… What was really sensitive was putting foreign military bases in these countries,” Matlock stated. He described the war in Ukraine as a “tragedy” that “did not have to happen,” noting that stability requires a Ukrainian government willing to live in peace with Russia without threatening foreign bases.
‘Peace is the restrained tolerance of a post-war status quo’
Ambassador Chas Freeman, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, critiqued the West’s “forever wars” and “fantasy foreign policy.” He argued that the Ukraine war has devastated Ukraine without weakening Russia and that the West lacks a viable peace plan. “An enemy that is unbowed will predictably insist on terms that serve its interests,” Freeman noted, urging the West to address Russia’s long-standing security concerns to achieve peace in Europe.
Scott Ritter, former USMC Intelligence officer and UN Weapons Inspector, delivered a passionate call for dialogue. “Dialogue was the solution,” he asserted, recounting his experiences with arms control and inspections. Regarding Gaza, Ritter provocatively stated, “We who applaud what Hamas did are as responsible for the genocide as those who provide the bombs, because we facilitate it.” He urged finding common cause even with adversaries to save lives, emphasizing, “The answer is dialogue.”
Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, invoked Bishop Desmond Tutu: “To remain neutral is to be on the side of the oppressor.” He condemned the genocide in Gaza and urged action, referencing German theologian Albrecht Haushofer’s poignant self-reproach for not speaking out sooner against evil.
Ambassador Dmitry Chumakov, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, expressed happiness at hearing “people with common sense.” He highlighted the economic turbulence and the refusal of rich countries to help poorer nations, calling for a multipolar world and an end to “wild capitalism.” He noted that BRICS countries now represent 37% of world GDP, surpassing the G7’s 29%.
The conference also featured a video address from Ju Juti, Associate Research Fellow from the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, who outlined four major strategic challenges: the peace deficit, development deficit, security deficit, and governance deficit, calling for multilateralism and reform of global governance.
The panel concluded with Helga Zepp-LaRouche reiterating the need for a new global security and development architecture, emphasizing concrete projects like the World Land Bridge and the creation of 3 billion new productive jobs in developing nations as pathways to peace and stability.
The administration of US President Donald Trump has resumed shipments of certain types of weapons to Ukraine after a one-week pause.
According to reports from Reuters and the Associated Press (AP), citing sources familiar with the matter, Kyiv has once again begun receiving 155mm artillery shells and high-precision Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles.
The exact timing of the shipment resumption and the quantity of ammunition sent are unknown.
Previously, the US had frozen the transfer of 8,400 155mm artillery shells, 142 Hellfire missiles, 252 missiles for HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, and 30 interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
Pentagon’s decision caught Trump by surprise
The Pentagon suspended military aid to Ukraine in early July. According to sources speaking to CNN, Trump had instructed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to conduct an audit of weapon stockpiles, and Hegseth, without informing the White House, halted all arms shipments to Ukraine during the audit.
Hegseth’s decision caught Trump by surprise. The White House announced that it had not issued an order to stop military aid to Kyiv.
Following a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump promised to provide more weapons to Kyiv and instructed the Pentagon to consider sending an additional Patriot air defense system.
The US President stated, “They are being hit very hard, very hard. So we will look into this matter.”
As noted by The Wall Street Journal, if the US sends a new air defense system to Kyiv, it would be the first time Trump has approved a new shipment of heavy weaponry to Ukraine. Until now, Washington had only continued shipments approved during the tenure of former President Joe Biden.
US quadruples Patriot procurement
Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg, the US military plans to allocate more than $1.3 billion for the procurement of missiles for Patriot air defense systems in the new fiscal year starting October 1.
The report stated that the Pentagon has “quietly” quadrupled the total planned procurement volume of these air defense missiles.
According to the report, a group of senior military officials responsible for determining defense needs revised the procurement parameters in April, increasing the planned number of interceptor missiles from 3,376 to 13,773.
Bloomberg emphasized that this sharp increase in procurement volume highlights the US military’s growing reliance on PAC-3 MSE missiles in particular.
This situation also aligns with the efforts of the US and its allies to strengthen their air and missile defense systems.
For example, Ukraine relies heavily on Patriot batteries and the missiles supplied for these systems to repel intense Russian attacks on its cities.
According to budget records, the US had purchased 2,047 of these missiles by the start of the 2024 fiscal year. An additional 230 were acquired in 2024, and 214 in 2025.
For the year 2026, $945.9 million has been requested for the procurement of 224 new interceptor missiles. Of this amount, $549.6 million will come from the base budget, and $396.3 million will be covered under the “Atlantic Resolve” program, which aims to strengthen NATO’s defense in Europe.
Kremlin: Military aid will not end the war
The Kremlin has stated that the continuation of military aid to Ukraine will not contribute to ending the war.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “It will take time to definitively clarify which specific shipments, and in what quantities, will continue to arrive in Ukraine from the US.”
However, according to sources close to the Kremlin speaking to The New York Times, Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Ukraine’s defense could collapse in the coming months and refuses to halt the conflict without significant concessions from Kyiv.
The news site Axios reported that during his phone call with Zelenskyy, Trump promised to urgently send ten interceptor missiles for Patriot systems to Kyiv.
Before this call, Trump had met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz had called for the resumption of missile shipments and expressed readiness to purchase additional Patriot batteries from the US to transfer to Ukraine.
According to sources, although no concrete agreement was reached, the matter continues to be discussed.
In a statement to the press at the White House, Trump also confirmed his intention to increase arms shipments to Kyiv, stating, “They must be able to defend themselves. They are taking very heavy blows right now.”
The Pentagon also confirmed that, on Trump’s instructions, additional “defensive weapons” will be sent so that Ukraine can maintain its positions until a lasting peace is achieved.
According to customs and shipping records, an extraordinary flow of antimony—a metal used in batteries, chips, and flame retardants—began entering the US from Thailand and Mexico after China banned shipments to the US last year. Records obtained by Reuters indicate that at least one Chinese company is involved in this trade, revealing how US buyers of critical minerals are circumventing China’s export ban.
China dominates the supply of antimony, as well as gallium and germanium, which are crucial for telecommunications, semiconductors, and military technology. On December 3, Beijing banned the export of these minerals to the US following pressure from Washington on China’s chip sector.
Trade data suggests that US shipments are being rerouted through third countries, a situation that Chinese officials have acknowledged. This assessment was confirmed by executives from two US companies, who told Reuters they have sourced restricted minerals from China in recent months.
According to US customs data, the US imported 3,834 metric tons of antimony oxide from Thailand and Mexico between December and April. This volume is nearly greater than the total from the previous three years combined. Meanwhile, Chinese customs data shows that Thailand and Mexico have become top-three destinations for China’s antimony exports this year. Neither country ranked in the top 10 in 2023, the last full year before Beijing imposed the restrictions.
According to the consulting firm RFC Ambrian, there is only one antimony smelter across both Thailand and Mexico, with the Mexican facility having reopened in April. Neither country mines significant quantities of the metal. Despite higher prices, US imports of antimony, gallium, and germanium this year are on pace to meet or exceed pre-ban levels.
Ram Ben Tzion, co-founder and CEO of the digital shipment inspection platform Publican, stated that while there is clear evidence of transshipment, the trade data does not allow for the identification of the specific companies involved. “This is a pattern we’ve seen, and it’s consistent,” he told Reuters, adding that Chinese companies are “extremely creative in circumventing regulations.”
In May, China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that some unspecified foreign entities were “collaborating with domestic smugglers” to bypass export restrictions, declaring that halting such activities was essential for national security. The ministry did not respond to Reuters‘ questions regarding the shift in trade flows since December. The US Department of Commerce, Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, and Mexico’s Ministry of Economy also did not respond to similar inquiries.
US law does not prohibit American buyers from purchasing antimony, gallium, or germanium of Chinese origin. Chinese firms are permitted to ship these minerals to countries other than the US if they possess the necessary licenses.
Levi Parker, CEO and founder of the US-based company Gallant Metals, told Reuters that he sources approximately 200 kg of gallium from China each month. He declined to identify the parties involved, citing potential repercussions. The process begins with purchasing agents in China who procure the materials from manufacturers. A shipping company then relabels the packages as iron, zinc, or art supplies and routes them through another Asian country.
Parker noted that these workarounds are neither perfect nor cheap. He explained that he would like to import 500 kg regularly, but larger shipments risk scrutiny, prompting Chinese logistics firms to be “very careful” due to the associated risks.
US-based BlackRock, the world’s largest investment company, has reportedly halted its efforts to find investors for a planned reconstruction fund for Ukraine.
According to a report by Bloomberg that cited sources familiar with the matter, the decision is driven by uncertainties surrounding US President Donald Trump’s position on Ukraine.
The fund was scheduled to be unveiled at a conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction on July 10-11, an event attended by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Sources indicated that the initiative was close to securing initial support from entities linked to the governments of Germany, Italy, and Poland.
However, with the possibility of Trump returning to the White House in January, BlackRock has decided to temporarily suspend its discussions with institutional investors, citing uncertainty about future support for Ukraine.
Alternative plan from France
Bloomberg has also learned that France is now developing an alternative plan, which includes creating a new fund to replace the initiative that BlackRock has suspended. The effectiveness of this new plan without US participation, however, remains a significant question.
A BlackRock representative stated that the company completed its pro bono advisory work for the Ukraine project in 2024 and currently has “no active commitments” to the Ukrainian government.
“The only discussions that influence BlackRock’s decisions are those the firm has with its clients,” the representative emphasized.
The fund’s $15 billion target
BlackRock Vice Chairman Philipp Hildebrand, who was previously involved in the negotiations, had announced plans to attract at least $500 million from governments, international development banks, and other public donors, along with approximately $2 billion from private investors.
According to Hildebrand, uniting investors under a single consortium would have enabled the direction of at least $15 billion in equity and debt investments toward Ukraine’s reconstruction.
The World Bank estimates that the total cost for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction exceeds €500 billion. Rebuilding the country’s port infrastructure alone is projected to require at least €1 billion.
The Triangular Nuclear Game and Dilemma Between Iran, Israel and the U.S.
Who is Thomas Barrack, Trump’s diplomatic point man in Ankara and Damascus?
ASEAN and China deepen ties amid threat of new US tariffs
US used pro-Israel Canary Mission website for deportation efforts, records show
US envoy reports deadlock in talks between Syria’s new government and the SDF
-
Diplomacy2 weeks agoBRICS internal trade volume hits the $1 trillion mark
-
Europe2 weeks agoNew MI6 chief’s grandfather was a Nazi collaborator known as ‘The Butcher’
-
Asia2 weeks agoChina hosts SCO defense ministers on warship amid regional tensions
-
Europe2 weeks agoWeber warns against US dominance, urges European self-confidence
-
America2 weeks agoUS intelligence officials claim Iran’s nuclear facilities were destroyed
-
Europe2 weeks agoMerz urges Brussels to secure a US trade deal within days
-
Middle East2 days agoIsrael details plan for ‘humanitarian zone’ in Rafah, called a ‘concentration camp’ by critics
-
Interview2 weeks agoWho won the Israel-Iran war? Retired Rear Admiral Alaettin Sevim speaks to Harici
