“The deterioration of relations and escalating conflict between Greece and Turkey puts the United States in a somewhat precarious political position. Not only does the United States fear being forced to choose between its two NATO allies, its partnership with Turkey has been key to the Trump administration’s mission to defeat Shiite volunteer armies and other Iranian-led activities in Syria in support of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.”
Read More“The unhealthy normalization of victim-blaming culture is detrimental to the justice needed for the victims. This toxicity is reproduced by official agencies, including the police and justice system who have perpetuated a victim-blaming approach.”
Read More“The consolidation of an Asian bloc against Chinese influence is a top priority for the United States, and the strained relationship between South Korea and Japan has been problematic in creating a united front. With aggressive Chinese actions in Asia ramping up in the recent past, including expansion in the South China Sea and disputes with India in the Ladakh region, both Japan and South Korea understand the necessity of aligning their foreign policy goals to contain China’s authoritarian influence. It is impossible to say whether a new Japanese Prime Minister will be able to overcome the decades of resentment between the two nations, but recent conciliatory statements made by South Korean President Moon Jae-in regarding the mending of ties bode well for future cooperation.”
Read More“As the ongoing, decades-long conflict increases hostilities, with larger military powers invested on both sides and no resolution to the initial issues, the ethnic conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has no apparent end in sight.”
Read More“Contrasting their wars in 1948 and 1973 to Saudi Arabia’s recent, emerging “soft normalization” of Israel, it’s apparent to the international community that the relationship between these two Middle East powers is changing rapidly. The slow wheels that move geopolitics forward may have arrived at gold: the two enemies are slowly considering indifference towards each other. Or perhaps, as some have even suggested, a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Read More“While the international community is occupied with COVID-19, Mozambique’s situation has flown largely under the radar. The situation looks grim without external actors becoming involved - begging the question: will the international community fund humanitarian aid or will the people of Mozambique continue to suffer at the hands of both the insurgency and their own government?”
Read More“Like the Nuremberg Trials, Tokyo War Crimes Trials, and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the Kosovo Specialist Chambers was created to serve justice in hopes of moving society forward after terrible atrocities had been committed. Yet, if Kosovo and former KLA veterans are still reinforcing an environment of fear and manufacturing a narrative of their innocence, there is little hope for the creation of a united Kosovo equipped to face the challenges and struggles on their road to globally recognized independence.”
Read More“Many hoped the UN meeting would bolster diplomatic relations as countries struggle to contain the coronavirus. However, despite calls for cooperation in the predominantly virtual setting, some tensions were still evident. In a security council meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called out the world’s efforts saying, “The pandemic is a clear test of international cooperation – a test we have essentially failed,” before adding that he fears for the worst should the world treat the climate crisis the same.”
Read More“The EU must seek to reconcile their ideological values of human rights and personal liberties with their conflicting economic interests and the benefits of a close trading relationship with China.”
Read More“Saab’s case is further weakened by the lack of identification found on Mr. Heath and the fact that the weapons found with Mr. Heath would not have been able to cause any significant damage to infrastructure. Instead of Heath being a CIA spy, it is much more likely that Maduro is attempting to draw the anger of his citizens away from internal problems such as Venezuela’s failing economy and towards the United States.”
Read More“Instability in both Mali and the region has led ECOWAS to establish a deadline for the military junta to name an interim civilian leader by September 22nd, 2020. ECOWAS has also set an ultimatum for Mali’s military leaders to hold new elections within the year, as opposed to the junta’s original plan to remain in power for three more years. The leader of Mali’s transition will be a critical figure in the development of the country.”
Read More“With the average age of world leaders being at 65 years old, health problems at the executive level are bound to rise. Now, Japan suffers. On Friday, August 28th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation due to health concerns, with several scandals marking the end of Japan’s longest serving PM.”
Read More“This back and forth blame game between China and the United States over COVID-19 has made international cooperation to fight the virus between two of the world’s largest and most influential countries extremely difficult. Further, it remains difficult to understand fully who–if anyone–is at fault for the spread of the virus.”
Read More“Tension looms dangerously in the Eastern Mediterranean as many nations weigh in on a growing conflict between Greece and Turkey. The two nations are jockeying over energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, after Turkish ships entered gas-rich Cypriot waters surveying for drilling opportunities. At the request of the President of Cyprus, Russia has been asked to enter the debate and de-escalate. Most of the EU is split in their approach to the conflict, and the stalemate between Greece and Turkey worsens as strong-arm military standoffs continue in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Read More“The new acrimonious dispute over Ireland Protocol has put relations between the UK and the EU at a new low. A ‘no-deal’ Brexit - the worst-case scenario - approaches every day.”
Read More“Provocations along the China-Indian border threaten to undo years of peace building efforts. As two populous, economically powerful, and nuclear armed states come to the brink of war, de-escalation is paramount.”
Read More“The Palestinian flag Hannoun was holding was snatched by the Israeli soldier shortly before Hannoun was wrestled to the ground. In the traumatic event, Hannoun was forced to stay frozen under the soldier to avoid further pressure to his neck.”
Read More“It has been over three weeks since the sudden disappearance of Cheng Lei, a Chinese-born Australian news anchor working for the China Global Television Network (CGTV), an English-speaking channel of China Central Television. On August 14th, the Australian government was officially notified that Lei was being held at a detention center in China.”
Read More“Macron’s push for reforms comes amidst an unprecedented economic crisis in Lebanon—a crisis that is the result of decades of corruption and frivolous spending. The Lebanese Pound has lost nearly 85% of its value, which has resulted in ballooning prices and a shortage of goods. Many economists fear that a situation similar to Venezuela’s collapse is unfolding. Despite this, Lebanon’s political elite refuses to accept reforms that would open the country to international aid.”
Read More“The UAE is one of Iran’s top trading partners, and the normalization of relations would be the first step in furthering trade ties between Israel and the UAE. Continued military cooperation between Israel and Arab nations would be directly harmful to Iran-sponsored proxy groups, such as Hezbollah, who have been condemned by both the Arab League and Israel. It remains to be seen what its long-term consequences will be for unrest in this war-torn region.”
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