In September 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping formally announced the Belt and Road Initiative, a sprawling infrastructure investment program intended to connect the world over land, air, and sea. A decade later, nearly every African nation has signed on, leading to a variety of results within the continent, ranging from shiny development projects to saddles of debt.
Read MoreThe maritime domain is crucial to global trade and development, illustrated by Africa’s Gulf of Guinea. The Gulf of Guinea is home to a wealth of natural resources, but economic growth in the region is hindered by the threat of piracy. The importance of renewed regional and international cooperation against maritime crime in the Gulf of Guinea is highlighted by recent upticks in piracy operations.
Read MoreAs global warming progresses and exacerbates existing gender inequalities, it has become increasingly clear that the climate crisis is not “gender neutral.” Environmental disasters disproportionately impact women. Integrating a gendered perspective in the conduction of environmental policy, specifically in the case of the EU, is critical to comprehensively assisting vulnerable populations and mitigating the ongoing crisis.
Read MoreFollowing the end of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict for the foreseeable future, disagreements on negotiation formats, border demarcation and delimitation, and the opening of trade routes, propagate tension between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Read MoreThe European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of innovative AI legislation. The EU began to address the gap in legal regulatory structures for AI beginning in 2019 with the European Commission’s outline for AI in Europe which resulted in the publication of an ethics guideline for trustworthy AI.
Read MoreIn September 2023, Sierra Leone finds itself plunged into darkness as a dire electricity crisis grips the nation. The power cuts in its capital city, Freetown, are primarily a result of the country's mounting debt to the Turkish hydro-power company, Karpowership. The inability to pay for electricity has exposed deeper issues, including government corruption and financial mismanagement, eroding public trust and national pride. These outages have severely disrupted daily life, affecting crucial services like healthcare, education, and construction. The culture of corruption and lack of transparency within Sierra Leone's leadership is at the heart of this crisis, hindering the nation's progress and leaving its citizens in the dark.
Read MoreIndonesia made a deal with China to create an Eco City with a giant Chinese-owned glass factory at the center, but the deal has garnered criticism from residents who are being forced to leave their homes.
Read MoreBrazil’s Supreme Court has recently opened up a vote to decriminalize abortion, and a multitude of factors may influence the outcome.
Read MoreOver a year after the election of leftist president Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego in Colombia, his administration is seeking out ways to divert from historically violent ways of waging the war on drugs. While Petro’s policies of investing in rural communities press onward, the path ahead may still be fraught with challenges.
Read MoreDespite the increasing pressure on the precedence of the Salvadoran constitution, the populace of the smallest country in Central America remains adamant about the radical metamorphosis their country has exhibited under the administration of Bukele: a new era of stability and security for Salvadoran society. Marred with criticisms, the Bukele administration remains committed to securing another term in San Salvador, all while inciting concerns for those weary of the implications of future authoritarianism in El Salvador and the Latin American sphere of influence.
Read MoreFollowing the deadly earthquake in Morocco on September 8th, the international community offered a flood of support to the Moroccan government. Controversy arose when Morocco did not accept the help and condolences of all states, specifically states in which Morocco has a tumultuous history. It is idealistic that aid remains unaffected by politics, however that is not the case in many relief efforts; as seen in Morocco.
Read MoreSince 2019, Lebanon has been facing one of the worst economic crises in modern history. Unemployment rates are growing, the national currency, the Lebanese Pound, is decreasing in value, and protests have risen against political corruption and inability to manage the plummeting economy. As working-class families struggle to make ends meet, the nation remains leaderless in the depths of an economic crisis.
Read MoreOn September 27, 2023, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sent its third spy satellite into orbit. Nations around the world are beginning to feel threatened by the reconnaissance abilities this terrorist organization now holds.
Read MoreMany experts and human rights activists have expressed concern for Nicaragua based on actions of the Ortega administration. His administration’s actions have caused widespread impacts throughout various sectors including within the academic sphere, democratic erosion, and violent suppression. The Ortega administration in Nicaragua has engaged in numerous human rights violations, for example repressing academics and revoking the legal status of universities, killing or arresting opponents, denying people due process or their citizenship rights, as well as harassing journalists and repressing freedom of expression.
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 MoreIn the midst of the protracted Ukraine conflict, which defied earlier predictions, Ukrainian forces stood resolute for over 18 months. As resources begin to dwindle, Putin turns to North Korea's support in a confidential meeting on September 13, 2023. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pledged to back Russia, hinting at military cooperation. Thus, this exchange raises concerns about Russia potentially providing advanced technology in exchange for North Korean munitions. This intriguing alliance could reshape the future of South Korean, Russian, and North Korean relations, as historical ties of the Korean Peninsula to Russia and the potential revival of alliances have profound implications for global stability. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yul speaks to the UN, warning the assembly of the uncertainty surrounding these authoritarian leaders and the escalation of conflict with this growing alliance.
Read MoreA look into recent legislation in Georgia that may jeopardize their EU and NATO candidacy. Tensions between Georgia and the West on a rise, as Georgia plays into Putin’s narrative.
Read MoreIndia is often labeled as the world’s largest democracy, but the very fabric of its democratic structure has been in question for many years. The contentious farmers’ protests in Delhi, primarily supported by Punjab, epitomize this struggle. The agricultural laws passed by Modi’s administration, are beneficial on paper, but in reality remove the safety net that farmers count on, leaving them vulnerable to corporate exploitation. In response, peaceful protests have been ongoing since 2020 have been met with excessive force, internet shutdowns, and further acts of intimidation, thus raising concerns about India’s future as a democratic nation. This is an ongoing issue that India faces, and the peaceful protests upheld by farmers serve as a reminder that it is vital to protect and uphold the civil liberties of all those in India as well as democracy itself.
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