IRR ONLINE

This article will examine the relationship between competing renewable energy markets in the United States and China. China’s advancements in “green” energy technology, most notably, EV battery development has given China unique leverage in orchestrating multilateral clean energy deals, excluding the U.S.. Seemingly, China’s progress is unmatched, as U.S. policy continues to backslide renewable energy development and policy, shifting to traditional fuel sources instead. With oil on the rise in the U.S., and China implementing solar and wind energy projects for global partners, it is clear a “green” future of climate cooperation is uncertain.

A number of court rulings have expanded the rights of queer Hong Kong citizens, such as QT vs Director of Immigration (2018), which granted same-sex partners access to spousal visas, while another ruling in 2018 permitted same-sex couples to file joint tax returns. While these developments may paint the region as progressive, the laws remain relatively conservative, as Hong Kong still does not recognize gay marriage.

On Thursday, September 11, 2025, Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to orchestrate a coup and overturn the 2022 presidential election. The conviction has sparked a multitude of reactions within the deeply polarized state, and instigated responses from the United States and the Trump administration. The sentence marks an important milestone in Brazil’s history of pardoning political insurrection, and many regard it as a victory for Brazilian democracy.  

By criminalizing lawyers committed to defending the right to a fair trial and exposing human rights abuses, the Government of Belarus undermines essential international standards and further drives Belarus away from democracy. These measures reveal a regime intent on eradicating independent voices and tightening authoritarian control, while simultaneously signaling to the international community the urgent need for continued attention and accountability.

In September 2025, France’s government collapsed yet again, a symptom of the political fragmentation that has hindered the country’s ability to make meaningful progress on addressing economic concerns. Meanwhile, in the arena of foreign policy, French President Emmanuel Macron has sought to cultivate an image of strength abroad, leading Europe’s response to U.S. tariffs and Russian aggression in Ukraine. For Macron, mounting domestic instability presents an existential challenge to his legitimacy as Europe’s chief statesman.

Israel’s strike on Hamas leadership in Qatar raised serious questions on international law and sovereignty, with Israel framing the operation as a counterterrorism measure. Critics, however, have noted a breach under the UN Charter, specifically violating the human right to life, the UN Charter prohibition on excessive use of force, and Qatar’s sovereignty. Qatar’s role as a prominent mediator and small nation-state was further highlighted by its central involvement in the ceasefire negotiations, while the United Arab Emirates-once a key partner through the Abraham Accords — has seen strained relations with Israel since the 2023 Gaza war, making the partnership particularly costly. The incident reinforced Gulf alignments, with Saudi Arabia hedging and Turkey and Iran backing Qatar, underscoring the risks of rigid blocs and the potential for escalating tensions in the region.

Russia has weaponized artificial intelligence to spread disinformation, infiltrating chatbots and trusted sources. Transforming its traditional propaganda tactics and capitalizing on gaps in U.S. cyber oversight, Russia has distorted public perception, spreading false narratives about Ukraine and the West.

At 3:02 on the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia launched a cyberattack on the American satellite company Viasat. Just one hour later, Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This attack signaled the initiation of Russia’s hybrid war strategy, using cyber capabilities in tandem with military forces against Ukraine. The use of cyber warfare in the Russo-Ukrainian War challenges the standards of traditional warfare and sets a new precedent for future conflicts.

The self-proclaimed “world’s coolest dictator” is lauded by his people for making them feel safe in their own neighborhoods, however, President Bukele’s approval rating conceals his administration’s ignorance of past and future rural life in El Salvador. While President Bukele’s crackdown has provided short term success, his actions ignore El Salvador’s history of war and violence that motivates gang participation in the first place. Explicitly, Bukele’s mano dura (firm hand) policies have undermined impoverished communities more than they have helped them and centralization of state power has contributed to a democratic backsliding in El Salvador that exacerbates the class divide between industry elites and the rural population.

Climate change, rising ocean temperatures, and destructive fishing practices have bleached and destroyed Kenya’s coral reefs, which has generated a domino effect of declining fish stocks and diminished income for fishers across the Swahili Coast. Nonetheless, through restoration efforts by nonprofits, supported by the Kenyan government, as well as conservation projects by local activists, reef stocks have come back to life. Kenya–and its coastal neighbors–must continue balancing coral reefs as both a profitable economic endowment, and a scarce natural resource vital for biodiversity. 

Lesotho and the United States have a long history of diplomatic relations, a relationship  that was recently dismissed by President Trump as an ‘unknown country.’ However, Lesotho and the United States maintain strong economic ties and Lesotho remains a prominent figure in regional and international affairs.

The Soviet Union has historically employed linguistic imperialism to dominate its diverse linguistic and ethnic populations. In a post-Soviet era, remnants of Russian linguistic strategy continue to shape regional geopolitics as many former satellite states reject its political implications.

The Russian-sponsored Wagner Group serves as a geopolitical tool to expand Russian influence and strengthen ties with Russian allies. It sets a new standard for the expansion of geopolitical influence beyond traditional diplomacy and military aid.

Saudi Arabia has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, reshaping its economic and diplomatic strategies to solidify its position as a regional powerhouse. Spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, the kingdom has shifted from an oil-dependent economy to one focused on diversification, tourism, and technological innovation. On the diplomatic front, Saudi Arabia has recalibrated its foreign policy, engaging in regional de-escalation efforts, strengthening ties with China and the U.S., and positioning itself as a key player in Gulf politics and economic integration. This evolution underscores its ambition to redefine power dynamics in the Middle East.

Organized crime has plagued the Caribbean for decades. Christopher “Dudus” Coke of Jamaica’s “Shower Posse” oversaw a sprawling North American narcotics network during the 1990s and 2000s, which funded concerts and vital charities for the poor on the side, and collapsed after a 2010 police shootout that killed over 73 civilians. In Haiti, Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier and his G9 Family and Allies have seized majority-control over the capital city of Port-au-Prince and are now fighting a UN-backed security coalition that includes Jamaican armed forces. These two islands, despite their distinct present circumstances, are linked by a shared history of disastrous Western intervention and subsequent financial devastation.

In a meeting held in Tokyo on March 22, foreign ministers from China, Japan, and South Korea discussed strengthening trilateral cooperation amid rising global tensions. They focused on shared challenges such as aging populations, declining birthrates, the green economy, and economic collaboration in the face of geopolitical uncertainty. However, divisions remain, particularly regarding China’s support of North Korea, its military activities around Taiwan, and its ties with Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine.

In January 2025, the World Bank, African Development Bank, and various investors provided a $35 billion loan to expand electricity access across Africa. Half of the funds were allocated to solar and wind projects, reflecting a global shift away from fossil fuels. Despite Africa’s high solar potential, many regions face unique challenges that hinder this transition. The experiences of Tunisia, Tanzania, and Kenya highlight the importance of prioritizing local development over large-scale, centralized projects.

Argentine President Milei posts to X supporting LIBRA, a new meme coin that had huge amounts of investment following the post and crashed just a few hours later. The implications of such an action might cause impacts as he works to achieve his campaign promises of economic reform for Argentina.

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was charged with leading a military insurrection by Brazil’s Supreme Court, adopting recommendations made in a federal police report from November. The plot included declaring a state of siege as well as a plan to assassinate President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as well as Supreme Court Judge Alexandre de Moraes.

In the global transition to clean energy, the Lithium Triangle countries—Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile—have adopted varying degrees of resource nationalism to advance economic development and industrialize their lithium sectors. As Bolivia and Chile move toward greater state control, China faces both opportunities and constraints in its effort to dominate the global lithium supply chain and enhance its geopolitical influence in Latin America.

While international economic sanctions and the ICC have helped weaken Min Aung Hlaing’s current regime, they have not solved the plight of the Rohingya. The story of the Rohingya isn’t the first of its kind, and unless the international community shifts to a more proactive approach for humanitarian causes, it certainly won’t be the last.

Skyrocketing gas prices, the perceived encroaching threat of communism, the Iranian hostage crisis, and the Vietnam War had dealt serious blows to the country’s morale. Then twenty young Americans overcame all odds to beat the Soviets, the best team in the world, before going on to win gold in the Olympics… As Eruzione puts it, ‘For some people, it was a hockey game. But for a lot more people, it was far greater than a hockey game.’

On October 16, 2024 , the Italian government passed a cross-border surrogacy ban, criminalizing anyone who seeks to have a child through surrogate parents outside of the country. While officials have argued this prevents the exploitation of women, others have worried about the impact on LGBT families and their lack of options to legally start families.

For decades, the Guatemalan military has cooperated with foreign and domestic elites to stymie public efforts at combating racial and social inequalities. State repression is so embedded into the Guatemalan political system that corruption has been made contingent for the state to function. Nevertheless, various transitional justice initiatives which emerged at the end of the Civil War, such as the Equipulus I and II agreements and the REHMI and CEH reports, carried positive changes to the modern Guatemalan state.  The strategies used in this time can inform the Semilla party in its anti-corruption mission.

Russia’s reliance on Arctic resources is increasingly threatened by the rapid thawing of the permafrost, causing infrastructure collapse, the release of greenhouse gases, and increasing global temperatures. As climate change accelerates, Russia is facing mounting economic and geopolitical strain, compounded by shifting global markets and Western sanctions. With other Arctic nations expanding their presence in the region and Russia’s diminishing influence, the Kremlin must decide whether to adapt to the crisis or risk further economic and geopolitical decline.

On January 1, 2025, Russia cut off natural gas supply to Transnistria, a breakaway region of the Republic of Moldova. Russia hopes to strengthen its control in the region and inhibit Moldova from joining the European Union. The Russian decision to eliminate its supply of natural gas to Transnistria will influence the upcoming parliamentary elections, where Moldova and Transnistria will decide whether to retain the current pro-EU parliament.

Russian soldiers weaponize sexual violence to demoralize and inflict harm on the Ukrainian people during the Russo-Ukraine war.

While the rate of Cambodia’s growth may be uncertain, its rising geopolitical and economic presence within Southeast Asia cannot be downplayed, and its rising allegiance with China will likely mark it as the first of many countries to turn to China as a more reliable economic partner in the face of internal American turmoil.