“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.”
Read More“Unlike previous revolutions in Georgia and Ukraine, a lack of influence from the West prevents Russian leadership from blaming the uprising on external agitators. Additionally, most Belarusians harbor pro-Russian sentiment, complicating Russia’s position even further: How can the Kremlin support an unpopular leader without stoking the same anger and opposition they saw in Ukraine?”
Read More“What was previously a local dispute over maritime borders between Greece and Turkey has become a matter of international interest after a 2010 study by the US Geological Survey estimated 1.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil and 122 trillion cubic feet of gas in the Levant Basin. Turkey’s survey vessel -The Orus Reis - crossed into recognized Greek territory in early August. It was originally supposed to finish its mission last Monday, but on Saturday evening, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that it would remain in the region for another 90 days.”
Read More“The timing of Navalny’s poisoning provides insight into Putin’s paranoia. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Russia hard, coinciding with economic downturn and unpopular proposed constitutional changes which have caused his approval ratings to drop to new lows.”
Read More“Prime Minister Ardern made the decision to postpone elections independently, but has reported she communicated with other party leaders, factoring in a concern for her own voters and the voters of her competitors as well. Her opposition, including the National Party and the Green Party, were in support of the delay, saying the delay would give all parties adequate time for electioneering and provide people with time to safely interact with the election.”
Read More“Since around April 2017, China has been operating hundreds of Uighur “re-education” camps, and approximately one million of the eleven million Uighurs have been detained. While every country has a right to protect their national security, there is no excuse for China’s internment camps and oppression of the Uighur people. China’s actions against the Uighurs fit the United Nation’s definition of genocide, and it is imperitatve that they be held responsible for their actions by the international community.”
Read More“After a lengthy and expensive investigation, a U.N. tribunal in The Hague has convicted just one of the four Hezbollah suspects in the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri in 2005.”
Read MoreThe agreement has put an immediate halt on Israel’s annexation of the West Bank in Palestine. However, the Palestinian leadership rejected the agreement as they are skeptical of Israel permanently halting their annexation of the West Bank. Indeed, Israel has been annexing Palestinian land since its foundation as a state in 1948. Without reckoning with these past injustices, the Accord has normalized Israel’s human rights abuses.
Read MoreTo see how well the CARES Act holds up, the best strategy may be to compare the U.S. response to that of other countries. Notably, Canada passed its own $107 billion CAD ($75 billion USD) relief bill the day before the American stimulus
Read MoreAt a time when people are discouraged from so much as leaving their homes, holding a weeks-long competition involving thousands of athletes and spectators from around the world would have been unthinkably irresponsible. The move to delay the games, however, will still be difficult.
Read MoreAfter 18 days of sustained protests, Mubarak was forced to resign and arrested on murder and corruption charges. Mubarak died last week at the age of 91, leaving behind an Egypt that is not vastly dissimilar to the one he ruled.
Read MoreTrump was met with widespread support from the Indian people - with many lining the streets of his travel route. In fact, according to a recent Pew survey, Trump is met with roughly the same support in India as former President Obama was.
Read MoreThe 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.”
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