In August, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced that another election would be conducted on October 27 after a majority failed to be produced in June. This stagnant state of affairs in Bulgaria’s parliament not only creates political fatigue for Bulgarians nationwide but enables a much desired neutrality for Russia in its war in Ukraine.
Read MoreAn overview of the ongoing controversy around Anastasia Trofimova’s documentary film Russians at War.
Read MoreOngoing hostilities, worsened by Algeria's support for Western Sahara's independence, have led to the dissolution of Morocco and Algeria’s diplomatic ties. The risk of open conflict is growing as both countries militarize their approach to the matter, and recent incidents in Algeria’s waters stand to test their resolve to the peaceful mediation of disputes.
Read MoreThe continuous melting of the polar ice caps is forcing governments to rethink their strategic plans in the Arctic. Climate change has allowed for this region to become more important on a global scale, and brings with it both exciting new opportunities and daunting new challenges.
Read MoreFollowing a 10 month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan launched an offensive into the territory. This offensive ultimately forced its ethnic Armenian population to flee to Armenia.
Read MoreScotland and England have a long history, and have spent the last 300 years united under one government. With Scottish nationalism and want for independence on the rise, the potential negative effects of Scotland’s independence loom over the heads of not just Scotland and England, but the West as well.
Read MoreThe stakes for this year’s parliamentary elections are higher than ever. A recent rise in the approval ratings of the country’s liberal party - the Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska or PO) - is a beacon of hope in the country’s nearly decade-long battle with the right-wing conservative Law and Justice party (PiS).
Read MoreAt the end of March, a historic visit took place, between Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin. Although Chinese-Russian relations have had a tumultuous relationship in the past, the two powers can now agree on one thing: they want to confront U.S. and Western dominance.
Read MoreThe United States and its allies have abandoned Afghanistan after their two-decade-long occupation, leading to the country's descent into a humanitarian crisis and a terrorist-led government. Meanwhile, these nations have shifted their focus to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, with rhetoric about defending values of democracy and political freedom, but to the Afghan people, this rings hollow. The US's current policy towards Afghanistan is focused on containment rather than support for any specific actors, and their cooperation with the Taliban is reminiscent of Reagan's failed policy of "constructive engagement" with Apartheid South Africa.
Read MoreA year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, international sports organizations are reevaluating their bans on Russian and Belarusian athletes. The International Fencing Federation and Wimbledon have recently lifted their bans, allowing athletes to compete under a neutral flag. However, the International Olympic Committee's plan to allow these athletes to participate in the Paris 2024 Games has been met with widespread criticism and calls for reconsideration.
Read MoreIndia and Australia have significantly strengthened their relationship in recent years, with both nations being key members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue. As they seek to expand trade and deepen military cooperation, their mutual interests in containing Chinese aggression and maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region drive the partnership, despite India's complex relations with Russia and China.
Read MoreThe United States and its allies have abandoned Afghanistan after their two-decade-long occupation, leading to the country's descent into a humanitarian crisis and a terrorist-led government. Meanwhile, these nations have shifted their focus to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, with rhetoric about defending values of democracy and political freedom, but to the Afghan people, this rings hollow. The US's current policy towards Afghanistan is focused on containment rather than support for any specific actors, and their cooperation with the Taliban is reminiscent of Reagan's failed policy of "constructive engagement" with Apartheid South Africa.
Read MoreTensions between Serbia and Kosovo remain high as Serbia allegedly violated an agreement reached in November 2022 to stop issuing license plates with Kosovo cities' denominations. The issue represents the larger conflict of Serbia's refusal to recognize Kosovo's independence, which is complicated by the involvement of Russia and the West in the region.
Read MoreSouth Korea is facing a dilemma about whether to possess nuclear weapons due to North Korea's continuous military advancements and nuclear pursuits. The failure of South Korea's conventional deterrence system and the actions of China and Russia have increased the urgency for South Korea to bolster its national security, even if it means breaking prior agreements.
Read MoreThe Table of Six, a coalition of opposition parties in Turkey, has unveiled a detailed plan to change the country if they win the upcoming presidential election. The alliance aims to restore a healthy democracy, promote separation of powers, and restructure the parliamentary government, but faces significant hurdles such as a lack of security in the electoral process and Erdogan's control over the media and government structures.
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