Op-Ed: Nationalism Isn’t Driving India's Knife-Edge Foreign Policy
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has championed Hindu cultural values within India, his approach to foreign affairs tells a different story. Rather than letting religious ideology guide international relations, Modi's government has maintained India's traditional balancing act between world powers. From continuing Russian oil purchases during the Ukraine war to providing aid to Gaza while supporting Israel, India's foreign policy remains driven by practical interests rather than nationalist sentiment.
World Leaders Gather at COP16 to Address Biodiversity Crisis
The urgency of the biodiversity crisis is undeniable. Habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate and, according to The Nature Conservancy, an environmental nonprofit, nearly a million species face extinction. This pressing issue underscored the importance of holding the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), a biennial conference run by the United Nations (UN).
From Expulsion to Exclusion: How a U.K.-Mauritian Deal Continues to Disregard Chagossians
On October 3, Mauritius and the United Kingdom reached a “historic agreement,” where the latter nation agreed to cede its contentious overseas territory — known as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) — to Mauritius. Coming after 13 rounds of negotiations and decades of international pressure, the landmark agreement marks the end of Britain’s colonial presence in Africa.
Lebanese Citizens Display Resilience Amid Devastation and Displacement
Current conflicts in the Middle East are resulting in significant displacement and devastation, fracturing the lives of Lebanese citizens. On top of an already spiraling economy, the divided Lebanese government is not well equipped to help its suffering citizens. Despite these challenges, Lebanese citizens have remained resilient, helping to house and feed their displaced neighbors.
Isolationism, Trump and Nixon, and the Future of Camptown Prostitution in South Korea
When President Trump returns to power on January 20th, 2025, he's poised to initiate a withdrawal of potentially thousands of U.S. troops from South Korea. If he does so, historical precedent would lead us to believe that the communities which have risen up alongside U.S. military bases will be hit hard as a result.
Vertical Farming: Lifesaver or Luxury?
Amidst worsening land degradation and global temperatures, many nations have turned to vertical farming to economize and adapt to a changing world. However, uneven implementation of this practice favoring wealthy countries calls into question this seemingly promising method. Why is it that vertical farming seems to be more of an intermittent luxury than a consistent lifeline?
Boosting Leverage: How Chinese Economic Expansion in Latin America Challenges U.S. National Security
China’s engagement in Latin America guarantees it will remain a threat to U.S. national security until the U.S. regains regional power through Americas-based collaboration — a path economic advisers and policymakers must promptly pursue to prevent President-elect Donald Trump’s anticipated withdrawal of development aid and proposed tariffs that could drive Latin American countries to work even closer with adversaries such as China. Failure to pursue such collaboration risks democratic backsliding in the Western Hemisphere and an economically isolated U.S. that could be susceptible to global conflicts.
A ‘Second China Shock:’ What it is and its Implications for the United States
China's rise on the global stage was facilitated in large part by an artificial export surge, the effects of which was dubbed the 'China Shock.' Now, with the country facing strong economic headwinds, Chinese leaders are trying to craft another export surge to revive growth. The U.S. may be in for another round of job loss and political turmoil.
Olympic Host Cities Had a Financial Problem. Did Paris Fix It?
In its bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Paris promised to supply a resplendent backdrop to the world’s symposium of sport. The City of Light did not disappoint... Amid the triumphs of the 2024 Games, one glaring figure remains consequential for Parisian taxpayers: the Olympics’ financial cost. For now, the economic outlook is surprisingly promising. Paris initially set aside $8 billion (in USD) for the Olympics, a figure that has since increased to around $10 billion. As recently as May, organizers expected a small profit, a shocking change from the severe losses incurred by recent hosts.
Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi Sentenced to Death for Protest Music: What Does This Mean for Freedom of Expression?
“Art must be allowed to criticize, to provoke, to push the boundaries in any society.” This was the statement declared by a panel of the U.N.’s experts on Iran in response to the death sentence placed upon Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi. On April 24, Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, led by Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, charged Salehi with “waging war against God” and “corruption on earth”, crimes punishable by death.
A Sparse Divide and Miles Apart: The Reality of the Political Division on Immigration Policy
The aftermath of Title 42’s end deepened the social controversy regarding immigration policy and since then, political polarization on the issue has only increased. Ever since, American immigration policy has been left in disarray; migrant arrivals continue to rise and candidate platforms grow more disunited on immigration gearing up for the November election.
Modern Art is Funding Terrorism: The Case of Nazem Ahmad
In January, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency seized 23 works from Ahmad’s collection–together worth $1.3 million. This seizure is the most recent step in investigations into Ahmad, who was charged with financing the organization Hezbollah through his art and diamond dealings. As such, governments are cracking down on the art market but this comes with repercussions for artists, art dealers, and auction houses.
Impending Wildfire: The Possible Economic Consequences of Argentina’s Latest Presidential Election
Argentina elected Javier Milei to the presidency, which has set an opportunity for a hard turn to the right. This approach could be financially and economically irreversible. Argentinian tolerance for such policies remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: Milei’s plans for stabilization, including economic dollarization, would require a complete overhaul of current Argentine infrastructure.
Who Run the World? How your favorite female pop stars are shaping global politics
The pop girls have been “standing on business”. The past year has ushered in an unprecedented era for women breaking through glass ceilings. Female musicians’ accomplishments and far-reaching influence demand greater attention and respect from the global community. The international impact of female pop stars, through their artistry and advocacy, is not to be underestimated.
The Lao Corruption Crisis: The Path Towards Integrity
Laos, like other developing, single-party nations faces a serious issue with corruption. The country loses millions each year to petty bribery and corruption within the government. But there are international solutions that can ease these costs.
The Politics at Play in Chess: Three Decades of Russian Influence and Chess’ Political Nature
Chess remains a force for unity: It’s a fun, intellectual game that is unfortunately ever exploitable for soft power. Hopelessly mixed up in international politics, chess is facing the dilemma posed to several other sports organizations– an existential fight for neutrality. Can FIDE break from decades of Russian influence and promote chess for its own sake, and not itself be a pawn in the political games world powers play?
Perilous Passageways: African Migration to Europe
Despite the known risks, immigrants continue to attempt the journey from Africa to Europe every day. The last 15 years have seen a dramatic increase in African migrants trying to make it to Europe. These facts beg the question; if the path is so dangerous, why do they continue to go?
Fair Play? World’s Fairs as Tools of Power and their Future
Since their inception in 1851, World’s Fairs have been landmark events celebrating worldwide achievements and inventions from televisions to telephones. Nations have historically utilized the events to project messages of their national superiority on the international scene. Despite still happening in the modern age, they make relatively little noise. But what has happened to the fairs?
The Killing of Alexei Navalny: A New Era of Repression and the Future of Russia
Alexei Navalny was pronounced dead while imprisoned in Russia. His death was condemned by numerous world leaders as an affront to the freedom of the press and an example of Putin’s repression. After Russian elections in March, it is unclear how Russian opposition groups and the Kremlin will proceed without Navalny.
Rivers of Resilience: Indigenous Activism Against Hydroelectric Dams Around the World
Indigenous communities of the Klamath Basin are celebrating a historic victory they thought might never be possible: the undamming of the Klamath River. The river has been the focus of resistance movements for decades. This accomplishment reflects a broader global movement against hydroelectric dams, spearheaded by Indigenous communities from around the world. However, progress for groups such as the Tapayuna people of Brazil has not been met with equal success.