THE WORLD AT CROSSROADS

Recent events appear to indicate that the world as we know it might soon be gone as it is no longer dominated by the United States who, since the fall of the Soviet Union, ruled the world virtually unopposed. Russia and China are becoming more and more aggressive players in the world geopolitics. Russia has recently achieved some victories on the world stage, unheard off since the fall of the Soviet Union: it prevented the West's intervention in Syria, derailed economic treaties between European Union and Armenia and Ukraine respectively, humiliated the United States by snatching Edward Snowden (and facilitating his unleashing of plagues befalling the NSA and the United States, both made pariahs in the courts of public opinion in the United States and over the world), played its role in what might turn out to be an appeasement of Iran, and, as if to stress Russia's recent victories, president Putin has been voted the most influential person in the world in 2013 by the Forbes magazine. China was more subtle and quiet, concentrating on the economy, yet they still were able to project their economic standing by becoming more assertive in the world's geopolitics. Recent proclamation of Air Defense Identification Zone over large areas of East China Sea, and sending its aircraft carrier on a maiden expedition toward the disputed Senkaku Islands are symbolic steps, foretelling more of similar, and perhaps, more aggressive steps in the near future. It seems that China already embarked on a road to convert its economic success into military might. As soon as China acquire means to project its military power over the seas, they will attempt to take over the control of East China and South China Sea in order to secure unobstructed access to oceanic routes. As it is, Japan and the United States are able to easily disrupt China's commerce due to Japan's control of various islands between Taiwan and the main islands of Japan, and the United States' ability to project its military power in Pacific and Indian Oceans. Apparently, China will not stand ay longer for the status quo, and will try to secure control over the seas leading to oceanic routes. The more militarized China would become, the more probable would be scenario of China's attempt to take over Russia's Far East, which economically seems to have closer ties to China than to Russia proper. India is not going to sleep at the time when its rival, China, grows its military might, and will also develop its aircraft carriers. In fact, recently they acquired a new aircraft carrier, which is supposed to take place of an old one, being decommissioned. We cannot forget of course about the unpredictable North Korea and volatile Iran-Israel situation and its potential for inflammation of major military conflict between Christianity and Islam. We seem not to appreciate how blessed Europe and North America has been since 1945, more or less, without necessity of dealing with war at our homes, except for the Balkans. If we are not prudent in our next steps, the peace might become a distant memory. What steps should the United States and the European Union undertake to avert the above dangers? Anyone out there with ideas?

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney, writing on various important community topics. You can get in touch with him by telephone: (212) 634-4250 or through e-mail: janusz@januszandrzejewski.com

SIR ALEX FERGUSON PUSHED OUT FROM MANCHESTER UNITED?

When last Tuesday evening a news appeared, claiming Manchester United is about to issue an important statement, and that it might pertain to Alex Ferguson, I could only think that the Glazers, a family from the United States, who took over ownership of the club several years ago, must be pushing him out, unhappy with United's another failure in the Champions League. All the news coming out of Manchester on Wednesday said that Sir Alex decided to leave now, supposedly at the best of times, when United was assured of winning the 20th domestic title and when the team's future was secured financially as well as on a sporting level. It was so strange to me that nobody  seemed to doubt the official story. Yet, last Sunday Sir Alex claimed that he feels great and is already thinking of another campaign, he was in fact actively involved in attempts to bring back Cristiano Ronaldo and to acquire Robert Lewandowski from Borussia Dortmund. What could have happened that caused such an immediate turn around in the space of two days? Illness of Sir Alex or his wife? There was no such a news coming out of his inner circle, instead there was a news of a conference of the top people in the club with the Glazers. Must be the Glazers, I formulated quickly an opinion, and here is why: the Glazers must be unhappy with Manchester United's recently perennial failure in the most prestigious of competitions, the UEFA Champions League, why they still are paying off the huge loan which they took to finance Manchester United takeover and then burdened the club with it. In this season, the team did not make the quarterfinals; the season before was even worse as United were eliminated in the group stages of the Champions League and were banished to Europa League, from which they were eventually kicked out by lowly but stylish Athletic Bilbao, the same team which is holding for dear life in current La Liga season. Sir Alex was a great coach who had a blue print for successfully competing in Premier League, the English domestic competition. However, in the Champions League, where he had to deal with teams consisting of players on a higher technical and tactical levels, he was able to convert the 13 Premiership titles to only 2 Champions League trophies. Apparently, he had too many English, physical players in his team, who were and still are unable to compete with the more sophisticated European or South American players of top European teams. Clearly, Manchester United recent failures in Europe were treated by the Glazer family as one bridge too far, particularly when they realized how much profits were lost in the recent Champions League campaigns. Someone had to pay for it. It appears that that someone is Sir Alex Ferguson, the man who secured for Manchester United 13 Premier League titles, but only 2 Champions League trophies. The world of business nowadays is still cruel and the credo "greed is good" still rules; the owners and corporate executives do not dwell on the past, either you win and are profitable or you are gone. Such is the news to world of football (or soccer) from corporate America.

Janusz Andrzejewski is a New York City based attorney, writing on legal and other important community subjects. You can contact him at (212) 634-4250 or by e-mail at janusz@januszandrzejewski.com