China appears to be moving away from collaborating with the United States on Korean Peninsula stability, instead leveraging North Korea as a strategic buffer to counterbalance deepening ties with Russia and promote a multipolar world resisting U.S. hegemony. The China–North Korea alliance illustrates that economic ties, military developments, and diplomatic positioning are now deeply intertwined, raising the stakes for the U.S. and the international community at large.
Read MoreBurkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced to the global community that they plan on immediately withdrawing from the International Criminal Court (ICC). These three military-led countries stated that they felt the ICC was an "instrument of neo-colonialist repression.” The ICC has not yet issued an official response, and although these three countries stressed their urgent need to withdraw, the process will take up to a year before it is fully effective.
Read MoreThe language within Trump’s own executive order seems to suggest a repositioning of the United States as an aggressor on the global stage. The new name seeks to showcase the administration's commitment toward an “America First” agenda and dedication to securing what they see as rightfully theirs.
Read MoreThe Liberal Democratic Party has been ruling Japan since the post-war period, and after being plagued with scandals and low public opinion polls, Japan is struggling with stable leadership amidst a politically turbulent time. Despite reaching a deal on tariffs, U.S.-Japan relations remain rocky, with recent polls in Japan revealing citizens’ desires to cut ties and for the country to take a self-defense-centered approach to national security.
Read MoreThe decision made by the Brazilian Supreme Court will force Brazil to reassess its international alliances and confront the political discord domestically. Lula will need to figure out how to deal with the fallout by creating a new economic plan for Brazil and finding a way to slow the growing divide between Brazilian citizens. Lula has previously faced threats of violence in this politically volatile situation. If he wishes to avoid further violence, he must act decisively to establish new foreign relationships and to appease aggrieved right-leaning Brazilians.
Read MoreIn her State of the European Union address, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, joined by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, set out a vision of solidarity for a continent under pressure. From current events in Ukraine and Gaza to the significance of energy and technology, the speech revealed both the EU’s determination and its deep divisions. With MEPs pressing tough questions, the speech underscored Europe’s priorities, highlighting the uncertain path ahead.
Read MoreOn April 9, the North Korea state media reaffirmed that its status as a nuclear weapons state is “irreversible” and not open for negotiation regardless of how forcefully the United States or its allies push for disarmament. However, this message is likely more than a mere reiteration.
Read MoreLast Sunday, in an atmosphere coated in revolutionary temper, the Hôtel de Invalides in Paris became a rallying point for members of the National Rally (NR)–France’s far-right opposition party–to hear its leader, Marie Le Pen, speak after a Parisian criminal court found her guilty of embezzling public funds.
Read MorePeruvian President Dina Boluarte has called for general elections to occur on April 12th, a year early. Although hopeful that political instability will decrease as a result of the election, Boluarte’s decision comes amidst the extreme civil unrest caused by violent protests, the likes of which have sent Lima and the province of Callao into a state of emergency.
Read MoreThe long-term impact on NATO as a whole will likely depend on how the security situation evolves in Ukraine—and how other NATO members interpret the implications of U.S. disengagement. If Russia continues to make gains and the United States remains inconsistent in its support for Ukraine, more countries may view Estonia’s example as a necessary model for self-reliance.
Read MoreRwanda has every right to criticize Belgium’s neocolonial practices, especially in relation to mining companies. Rwanda has no excuse, however, to fund and prop up M23’s violent campaign against the people of the DRC.
Read MoreThree weeks ago, Canada saw a shift in leadership under the Liberal Party with the election of Mark Carney as the country’s next Prime Minister. On March 24th, Carney announced a snap election with a five-week campaign - the shortest time period allowed. Now, he has five weeks to persuade the country to continue backing his party under a “strong, positive mandate.”
Read MoreThousands of protestors lined the streets in Budapest, Hungry outside the Parliament building in reaction to the amendment of the “Child Protection Law” and against their Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s anti-LGBTQ legislation. This amendment unilaterally banned pride parades and allowed authorities to use facial recognition to identify attendees of a prohibited event.
Read MoreDuterte rose to power on the promise of reducing crime and drug dealing in the Philippines. Many Filipinos hoped Duterte would combat omnipresent crime and corruption. The international community looked on in horror as Duterte fashioned a terrifying, merciless war on drugs.
Read MoreGiven this contention with BRICS nations at a moment in which the US is taking an increasingly aggressive, so-called “America First,” foreign policy stance, some see Rasool’s expulsion and the aid freeze executive order as part of a series of punitive measures exercised by the Trump administration against South Africa for its role in BRICS and continued efforts toward economic self-determination.
Read MoreThe Islamic month of Ramadan is one that is traditionally marked by festivity, spiritual unity, and holiness for nearly 2 billion Muslims. However, for the 600,000 Palestinians returning to Northern Gaza, the vibrant laughter and contagious joy felt through eagerly breaking fasts and faithful practices have been drowned out by devastation and despair.
Read MoreBeneficially, nuclear technology offers a plethora of benefits in the realm of clean energy. Acting as a low cost carbon energy source, nuclear power is attractive, with some countries such as France relying on such energy sources for over 50% of overall consumption.
Read MoreDescending upon Brussels, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico, following a series of intense accusations from Bratislava, igniting a bitter animus between the former cultural compatriots.
Read MoreFollowing the meeting between Trump and Macron, observers were left hopeful at the prospect of a peace deal that both Trump and Macron indicated could happen soon. However, the disagreements between the two leaders appear discouraging for leading a united front in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. No matter the impact of this meeting between Trump and Macron, one thing is for sure: it has shown that diplomacy for the United States looks starkly different in the new Trump era.
Read MoreShocked is one word to describe the congregation of European diplomats in attendance at the Munich Security Conference last week, as American Vice President JD Vance delivered harsh ideological criticisms on the current state of the European Union (EU) and that of the continent as a whole. In what was expected to be a harrowing speech on American defense assistance helping to bring an end to the Ukraine-Russian conflict, instead what followed was a complete reversal. Standing on the podium, Vance barreled down unto his European counterparts with a long list of criticisms, all centered around this idea that for too long, the EU has deviated from the democratic values it preaches.
Read More
