Lebanon’s economic and political collapse has eroded public trust and weakened state institutions. Once called the “Switzerland of the Middle East,” it now faces blackouts, inflation, and a devalued currency. Decades of sectarian power-sharing paved the way for the 2019 financial crisis, marking the collapse of the postwar order. Hezbollah—a political party and paramilitary group backed by Iran—has expanded its role in governance, security, and welfare, reinforcing a shadow-state dynamic as the country drifts further from democracy. Yet under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s new 2025 administration, early reforms in energy, banking, and transparency signal a fragile but honest effort to restore accountability and rebuild democratic state legitimacy.

Germany, a country rocked by runaway hyperinflation a century ago during the Weimar Republic, has clung to fiscal conservatism for decades, illustrated in its hesitancy and reluctance to bailouts during the EU debt crisis in the 2010s. Now, facing economic stagnation and growing defense demands, Berlin’s September 2025 reforms mark a turn toward large-scale investment in infrastructure and security, reshaping both its domestic identity and its role in Europe.

On September 29, 2025, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Cebu region of the Philippines at 10:00 p.m. local time, killing 72 people and making it the deadliest earthquake in the region since 2013. The Philippines is no stranger to earthquakes; located above the tectonic Ring of Fire, the island nation has experienced more than 2,400 earthquakes within the last two weeks, from September 25th to October 9th. Yet this earthquake begs the question: what went wrong in this particular instance, and can the Philippines prevent similar catastrophes from occurring?

As gang violence in Haiti continues to inflict devastating effects on Haiti’s population, the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution authorizing a ‘Gang Suppression Force’ to confront the mounting security crisis. It will replace the previous Kenyan-led ‘Security Support Mission,’ and work in collaboration with the Haitian National Police and Haitian armed forces with primary goals of neutralizing armed gangs and strengthening infrastructure to build Haiti’s ability to assume responsibility for its own security.

From Bangkok’s bustling street stalls to Hanoi’s hidden pho shops, food has become Asia’s newest form of diplomacy. Thailand’s state-backed “Global Thai” campaign turned its cuisine into a world brand, while Vietnam’s street-food fame has grown more organically through social media. Together, they show how taste can shape tourism, strengthen national identity, and transform local dishes into tools of global influence.

The Suwałki Gap remains one of NATO’s most strategic vulnerabilities. This 65-km stretch of border between Poland and Lithuania is the only corridor separating Russia’s close ally, Belarus, from the Russian exclave Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad is vital to Russia’s naval and military projection in the Baltic Sea, and securing a land route would be invaluable for Moscow’s strategic ambitions. As tensions with Russia persist, many defense experts warn that if Putin were to strike a NATO member, the conflict would likely begin in the Suwałki Gap.

Although Global Witness’ 2024 report on international violence against environmental land defenders reported a fewer number of killings and disappearances than years prior, closely observing these ongoing trends is pertinent to protecting human rights and our environment. Breaking down this report, particularly the nations and subgroups in which defenders are most commonly targeted, allows us to obtain a greater understanding of proper policy drafting and implementation moving forwards.

Withering relations, market vulnerability, and growing external pressure have forced Turkmenistan to choose between continued isolation and long-term economic decline or opening up to the world. Turkmenistan has historically maintained itself isolated through authoritarian control, self-sufficiency, and abundant natural gas to fund its endeavors. However, its eroding alliance with China and previous economic crisis have propelled Turkmenistan to diversify its trading partners and sources of income.

Lebanon’s economic and political collapse has eroded public trust and weakened state institutions. Once called the “Switzerland of the Middle East,” it now faces blackouts, inflation, and a devalued currency. Decades of sectarian power-sharing paved the way for the 2019 financial crisis, marking the collapse of the postwar order. Hezbollah—a political party and paramilitary group backed by Iran—has expanded its role in governance, security, and welfare, reinforcing a shadow-state dynamic as the country drifts further from democracy. Yet under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s new 2025 administration, early reforms in energy, banking, and transparency signal a fragile but honest effort to restore accountability and rebuild democratic state legitimacy.

Germany, a country rocked by runaway hyperinflation a century ago during the Weimar Republic, has clung to fiscal conservatism for decades, illustrated in its hesitancy and reluctance to bailouts during the EU debt crisis in the 2010s. Now, facing economic stagnation and growing defense demands, Berlin’s September 2025 reforms mark a turn toward large-scale investment in infrastructure and security, reshaping both its domestic identity and its role in Europe.

On September 29, 2025, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Cebu region of the Philippines at 10:00 p.m. local time, killing 72 people and making it the deadliest earthquake in the region since 2013. The Philippines is no stranger to earthquakes; located above the tectonic Ring of Fire, the island nation has experienced more than 2,400 earthquakes within the last two weeks, from September 25th to October 9th. Yet this earthquake begs the question: what went wrong in this particular instance, and can the Philippines prevent similar catastrophes from occurring?

As gang violence in Haiti continues to inflict devastating effects on Haiti’s population, the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution authorizing a ‘Gang Suppression Force’ to confront the mounting security crisis. It will replace the previous Kenyan-led ‘Security Support Mission,’ and work in collaboration with the Haitian National Police and Haitian armed forces with primary goals of neutralizing armed gangs and strengthening infrastructure to build Haiti’s ability to assume responsibility for its own security.

From Bangkok’s bustling street stalls to Hanoi’s hidden pho shops, food has become Asia’s newest form of diplomacy. Thailand’s state-backed “Global Thai” campaign turned its cuisine into a world brand, while Vietnam’s street-food fame has grown more organically through social media. Together, they show how taste can shape tourism, strengthen national identity, and transform local dishes into tools of global influence.

The Suwałki Gap remains one of NATO’s most strategic vulnerabilities. This 65-km stretch of border between Poland and Lithuania is the only corridor separating Russia’s close ally, Belarus, from the Russian exclave Kaliningrad. Kaliningrad is vital to Russia’s naval and military projection in the Baltic Sea, and securing a land route would be invaluable for Moscow’s strategic ambitions. As tensions with Russia persist, many defense experts warn that if Putin were to strike a NATO member, the conflict would likely begin in the Suwałki Gap.

Although Global Witness’ 2024 report on international violence against environmental land defenders reported a fewer number of killings and disappearances than years prior, closely observing these ongoing trends is pertinent to protecting human rights and our environment. Breaking down this report, particularly the nations and subgroups in which defenders are most commonly targeted, allows us to obtain a greater understanding of proper policy drafting and implementation moving forwards.

Withering relations, market vulnerability, and growing external pressure have forced Turkmenistan to choose between continued isolation and long-term economic decline or opening up to the world. Turkmenistan has historically maintained itself isolated through authoritarian control, self-sufficiency, and abundant natural gas to fund its endeavors. However, its eroding alliance with China and previous economic crisis have propelled Turkmenistan to diversify its trading partners and sources of income.