Duterte

Modern diplomacy can generally be traced back to the late 19th century and the intercession of professional diplomats in the foreign relations between major and minor powers of the era. International negotiations to resolve problems were primarily handled by diplomats prior to politicians giving their assent to peace treaties and compacts. The Congress of Berlin of 1878 and 1905 Treaty of Portsmouth (New Hampshire) helped resolve the Russo-Turkish War and Russo-Japanese War, respectively.

There is a new type of pirate on the international scene. These are not the swashbuckling brigands of yore but national leaders who are intent on plundering and pillaging the world’s most-environmentally sensitive resources. From the Amazon rainforest, described as the “lungs of the Earth” because it provides 20 percent of our planet’s oxygen, to Greenland and the Antarctic, unscrupulous and ignorant leaders are placing the entire planet in jeopardy.

Grim video games, outer space gospel and North America's first sex doll brothel + this day in history w/the Ramstein air show disaster and our song of the day by Poppy + Diplo on your Morning Monarchy for August 28, 2018.

Trade ties have significantly improved and tensions over the South China Sea have eased since Xi called Duterte’s October 2016 visit to Beijing a “milestone” in China-Philippine relations [Xinhua]
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to begin work on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, the media in the Philippines reported Wednesday.

Olympics occupation, Ofxam allegations and Carnival escapism + this day in history w/Bill Clinton's impeachment acquittal and our song of the day by Ash on your Morning Monarchy for February 12, 2018.

Guilty pleas, watch the throne and penis-free politicians + this day in history w/Poppy Bush invades Somalia and our song of the day by Ron Gallo on your Morning Monarchy for December 4, 2017.

Agent Manson, botched raids and illegal orders + this day in history w/the indictment of Phil Spector and our song of the day by METZ on your Morning Monarchy for November 20, 2017.

China and ASEAN have for years been discussing a code of conduct in the South China Sea, but now they are closer than ever on a unified document [Xinhua]
The question of territorial rights in the South China Sea has taken center stage at the 20th China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders’ meeting hosted by the Philippine capital Manila, as it has in recent years.
But China is slowly making headway with its neighbors to resolve outstanding territorial disputes over access to the strategic body of water that straddles, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, Philippines and China.

Border wall prototypes, the JFK files and cryptorubles + this day in history w/the 'War Of The Worlds' and our song of the day by Curtis Harding on your Morning Monarchy for October 30, 2017.

Referendum violence, the economics of bribery and political clowns + this day in history w/the start of the Beltway Sniper spree and our song of the day by Luna on your Morning Monarchy for October 2, 2017.