By Hamah Hosen – Taking inspiration from Trump’s modern populist handbook, Matteo Salvini has embraced an ‘Italians first’ approach towards EU migration since his election as the Deputy Prime Minister and the Interior Minister of Italy. Salvini, acting as Italy’s de-facto leader, has also strategically … Continue readingRIDING THE POPULIST TRAIN: SALVINI & EU MIGRATION
It’s no secret that Trump is an inexperienced statesman. The former real-estate mogul and reality T.V. star entered the White House having never held political office, the first to do so in more than sixty years. In such a case, policy fumbles are not surprising. … Continue readingA POSITION OF STRENGTH? TRUMP’S RELATION WITH NATO & RUSSIA
‘Strong’ and ‘powerful’ were the words Trump used to describe Putin at the Helsinki Summit last Monday while ‘disastrous’ and ‘treasonous’ are the words being used to describe Trump’s performance. In a stunning moment that has brought criticism from across the political spectrum, the controversial … Continue readingTHERE WILL BE HELL TOUPEE: TRUMP’S MISTAKES AT HIS MEETING WITH PUTIN
By Santino Raftellis – “I’m living a dream, I never want to wake up from” Cristiano Ronaldo Pre-Game ‘With kick-off about to take place in fifteen minutes, there is a palpable sense of excitement building amongst the supporters in the ground. We welcome you to … Continue readingFROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE: 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ‘WORLD GAME’
States are again fighting for their sovereignty… but against international institutions. Yet, will disregard of the changing international system lead to boom or bust for many nations? With the resignation of Brexit Secretary David Davis and the looming resignations of other Brexiteers from the Government, … Continue readingWESTPHALIA IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: THE COMPLEXITIES OF STATE SOVEREIGNTY
Since Britain voted to leave the EU two years ago, evergreen discussions about the identity and independence of the Kingdom’s four constituent nations seem to have assumed a new vigour. This is particularly relevant in Northern Ireland where Mary McDonald, the leader of nationalist party … Continue readingA POT OF GOLD AT THE END OF THE… BORDER? EXAMINING THE MISGUIDED HOPE THAT BREXIT WILL CATALYSE REUNIFICATION
By Hamah Hosen – Taking inspiration from the Roman poet Horace, President Erdogan of Turkey and the Justice Development Party (AKP) aims to seize the day by announcing the move for snap elections on June 24th. Amidst the situation in Syria, the looming economic woes, … Continue readingCARPE DIEM: THE CALL FOR TURKISH SNAP ELECTIONS
With sectarian violence, nuclear proliferation and nationalism currently the focus of the international news cycle, the economic and cultural partnerships of states well beyond our borders are not often addressed. This is evident with the intricate and perplexing dimensions of Italian-Israeli relations. Yet, from the … Continue readingIT ALL STARTED WITH AN ARTICHOKE: THE ITALIAN-ISRAELI ARTICHOKE WAR
“I am announcing today that the United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. In a few moments, I will sign a presidential memorandum to begin reinstating U.S. nuclear sanctions on the Iranian regime. We will be instituting the highest level of economic sanction. … Continue readingUS ABANDONS THE IRAN DEAL: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE REGION?
By Harrini Ratnanesan – Eurovision… Is it X-Factor on steroids? Just a mass gathering of Europeans in whacky costumes? Or is it some kind of weird religious-like festival where your friends worship SBS coverage with a cultish fervour? The last thing many would consider Eurovision … Continue readingGLAMOUR, MUSIC & POWER: THE POLITICS OF EUROVISION