The World Trade Organization has argued that the Beitbridge OSBP project will reduce the transactional costs of trade, congestion at the border crossing, and enhance operational efficiency. The WTO has thus lauded the decision of the Southern African Development Community, of which South Africa and Zimbabwe are members, to sponsor the project and increase economic integration.
Read MoreRegardless of the causes, the effects of this regime change have been far-reaching. These controversies have intersected with ethnic, class, and religious divides in the country.
Read MoreThe pipeline is being built on land controlled by the Wet’suwet’en First Nation. Leaders of the Wet’suwet’en have largely opposed this construction on their land, but there is not universal agreement among Wet’suwet’en people in opposition to the pipeline. Across the country, numerous protests and blockades began in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en First Nation and to oppose the construction of the pipeline.
Read MoreWhile the plan will need to be negotiated among all parties, it is being called by some a viable plan for establishing peace between Israel and Palestine. The mere fact that a large number of international figures are at least open to considering this plan demonstrates its contention for a real solution.
Read MoreAfter over two years of tariff increases and tense negotiations, a solution now comes into play, even if the solution purely pauses conflict. Phase one is underway, but it is purely a baby step to a long term solution.
Read MoreIn the immediate aftermath, reactions across the world varied largely depending on one’s perspective of the broader conflict between the two countries. While thousands of Iranians took to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani, other Iranians expressed pleasure with his death, given his role in suppressing local dissent and promoting aggressive Iranian government policies overseas that sustain Iran’s status as a “pariah.”
Read MoreEven if Soleimani’s killing was an illegal assassination, however, the next obvious question would be “so what?” Holding the U.S. accountable for any supposed crimes in international law would be extremely difficult, and punishing the president for alleged domestic wrongdoings would rely on sufficient political will in Congress.
Read MoreIn the past two decades, the country has more than quadrupled GDP while maintaining democratic governance. However, hidden scandal and widespread corruption during this period of unprecedented growth has recently begun to bubble to the surface.
Read MoreMerkel’s time in power made Germany a major player on the stage change, but as her rule comes to an end, the pathway to stable leadership is unclear.
Read MoreWhat the attack did reveal, assuming the plant systems were not affected, is that India’s cyber defense system is outdated and based on old principles, like the air gap strategy. The strategy, according to James Conca of Forbes, is the idea of physically isolating essential computers or networks from un-secure ones.
Read MoreOver the past few weeks, mass protests and unrest have erupted in Chile, capturing international attention. In a country often seen as a tentpole of stability and prosperity in a sometimes rocky Latin America, these protests have surprised and worried many.
Read MoreCurbed by an uptick in violence by the Taliban as well as a lack of enthusiasm surrounding the elections, voter turnout was lower in this election than it was for the previous three elections since 2001. Some also fear that there has been artificially high voter turnout reported in areas with sparse voting with the Independent Election Commission’s tabulation centers reporting 90 percent turnout.
Read MoreA nearly five-year-old war has raged on in Yemen largely out of the public eye. The conflict has led to a human rights crisis which has left 67 percent of the population acutely food insecure and started the largest cholera outbreak to date.
Read MoreThe election was largely seen as a referendum on the premiership of Justin Trudeau. The incumbent won a landslide victory in 2015, pledging to institute a wide variety of policies ranging from recreational cannabis legalization to an electoral system overhaul. Public opinion of the progressive darling, however, has since soured.
Read MoreThe conflict between the president and Congress grew as convoluted as the situation in Syria. The usual skeptics of the president will continue criticizing him, but Trump can expect his allies, like Graham, to return to defending in the coming battles on Capitol Hill.
Read MoreIn the wake of massive scandal and the first ever impeachment, South Korean President Moon Jae-in made initial strides in improving relations with North Korea that have since stalled, as well as several poorly received domestic policies that have coupled the South’s domestic problems, leading to declining popularity among South Koreans.
Read MoreThe Democratic Republic of the Congo is only a few months away from finishing its first year under a government that transitioned peacefully into power since achieving independence from Belgium in 1960. But the past few years have been marred by a re-eruption of the violence that scarred the country from 1999 to 2004 between the Lendu and Hema ethno-political interests in northern Ituri province.
Read MoreWhat started in 2011 as a series of Arab Spring protests against the al-Assad regime in Syria has morphed into a full-blown and protracted Civil War with high levels of international intervention, with Western heads seemingly turned away.
Read MoreEgyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has been protected by a shield of public support since 2013, but protests incited by accusations of wasted public funds and Sisi’s crackdowns on dissent reveal more cracks in the shield than he lets on.
Read MorePresident Trump would benefit greatly from a strong U.S.-India relationship, both in terms of international affairs and electoral success. India could act as a valuable counterweight in a region dominated by China and its close ally, Pakistan, while also serving to energize the Indian–American electorate.
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