Posts tagged Global
The Aftermath of Deadly Moscow Concert Hall Attack: ISIS-K and Putin's Disinformation Campaign

On March 22, 2024, Russia experienced its deadliest terror attack in two decades at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, a suburb north of Moscow. The tragic event unfolded around 8:00 PM MSK when four gunmen began firing at the crowd of an estimated 6,000 people and subsequently set fire to the building. The attackers' actions led to fires that engulfed the venue, resulting in the partial collapse of the roof. The aftermath was devastating, with reports of 144 fatalities, including individuals who later died in hospitals. Additionally, over 551 concertgoers suffered injuries from gunshot wounds and fire-related incidents.

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Abbey Speaker Series: The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Before the October 7 attack by Hamas, the Middle East had fallen into a state of relative equilibrium between Israel and its neighbors. Many Arab states in the region, including Saudi Arabia, had become considerably more open to diplomatic relationships with Israel in the preceding years, according to Professor Spinner-Halev. The October 7 attack and Israel’s brutal response, however, have caused rippling effects from within the country to the surrounding region and, ultimately, the world. 

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Brazil and Ecuador: A Necessary Partnership, Navigating the Future of Violence

Ecuador’s unprecedented violence has not gone unnoticed by other Latin American countries, in which crime is a continued problem at the forefront of legal regulations. In response, Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva has taken a collaborative and united approach.

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Turkey Ratifies Sweden’s NATO Bid

The extended process of Sweden’s NATO accession, still incomplete, is an important reminder of the complexity of modern international politics. A move by Sweden to join a defensive alliance due to concerns stemming from Russian actions in Ukraine is delayed due to a dispute about security and human rights with Turkey.

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Israeli Army Targets Journalists in Siege of Gaza

Long touted as “the only democracy in the Middle East,” Israel has consistently shown an incredible contempt for the freedom of the press in its own territory and the occupied Gaza Strip. After two decades of killing journalists with complete impunity, it is no surprise that violence against press workers has continued and intensified during its siege on Gaza.

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Riding the Waves of Change: How Surf Therapy and Similar Programs Can Help Turn the Tide on Child Poverty

With the ever-growing costs of welfare programs in the United States, policymakers and advocates continue to ask the question: Is there a successful and cost-effective way to address this growing problem? Well, for this community in Peru, the answer is an unconventional activity: surfing.

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Iraq: Violence Against LGBTQ+ Community

“Homosexuality is still illegal in 66 countries across all continents except Western Europe, according to the Human Dignity Trust. After the Iraqi government proposed a new bill to criminalize homosexuality in August 2023, Human Rights Watch denounced their act as violating international human rights law. As a member of the Arab Charter on Human Rights, Iraq is responsible for providing its citizens the rights to "life, liberty, privacy, free expression and security of the person.”

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The Debate over Stolen Artifacts: Are Notable Museums a Den of Thieves?

“In recent years, museums have been questioned more and more about the provenance of their collections, and more calls have been made in support of the return of objects acquired during the colonial era or by military force to their countries of origin. Critics and community leaders are still seeking the return of numerous artifacts, most of which hold cultural or religious significance in the communities from which they were taken.”

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The Ambassador of Poland, speaking at Chapel Hill, sees a long road ahead for the Ukraine war

“On January 25th 2023, UNC Chapel Hill hosted the Ambassador of Poland to the United States, his Excellency Marek Magierowski, who spoke on the Russia-Ukraine war. The mindset of Russian leadership, Poland’s role in the crisis, and the future of the war were topics of discussion for the Ambassador, who predicted an enduring conflict.“

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Celebrating the Renville Treaty: Indonesia’s Growing Role in International Relations

“Excerpt: On the 75th anniversary of Dr. Frank Porter Graham’s negotiation of the Renville Treaty, the Carolina Asia Center held a joint conference between The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) in Jakarta which discussed Indonesia’s past, present, and future on the world stage…Indonesia is rapidly gaining economic and political influence on the world stage via increasingly diverse foreign direct investment, Indonesia’s sway within ASEAN, and the desire to forge an independent Indonesian path.“

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Burkina Faso’s Second Coup of 2022 and What It Could Mean for the Future

“A series of raids orchestrated by extremist groups has recently left dozens of soldiers and civilians alike dead or missing, which provided a catalyst for the Burkina Faso army to depose Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, and replace him with Captain Ibrahim Traoré. In a televised statement made by Traoré, he justified the change in power due to Damiba’s inability to suppress a burgeoning Islamist insurgency in the north and east of the nation that has driven over two million people — or 10% of the population — from their homes.”

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The Moai Statues of Easter Island Suffered Irreversible Damage from Fire: What Does the Future Hold for the Island’s Tourism Industry?

“Repetitive damage to the island’s cultural relics and statues pose a threat to the preservation of the Rapa Nui people and way of life. Many wonder if selling the island as a tourist attraction is worth losing its rich, beautiful history.“

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