Updates – Page 5

#HOMETOBILO – A TURNING POINT IN AUSTRALIA’S ASYLUM SEEKER POLICIES?

Successive Australian governments have been no stranger to condemnation for their hard-line stance on asylum seekers. They make no apology for it, cloaking their policies in a robe of ostensible utilitarianism. However, in recent months, the Coalition has faced strong backlash both domestically and internationally for its treatment of the Murugappan family, who have come to be known simply as the “Biloela Family”. This is in reference to the Queensland town in which they were working and residing before being placed in detention. This latest bookmark in Australia’s uncompromising approach towards asylum seekers has raised questions about the authenticity of its commitment to various international instruments. … Continue reading#HOMETOBILO – A TURNING POINT IN AUSTRALIA’S ASYLUM SEEKER POLICIES?

The ‘Build Back Better World’ Initiative: Is Diplomacy ‘Back’?

A the recent G7 Summit, leaders claimed that “Diplomacy is back”. Given that this was the first time in two years that leaders had met in person, the opportunity was seized to discuss what they considered to be the world’s most pressing issues, including vaccine inequity, climate change, global taxes, and current conflicts. Most central to this claim, however, was the announcement of the ‘Build Back Better World’ infrastructure initiative. … Continue readingThe ‘Build Back Better World’ Initiative: Is Diplomacy ‘Back’?

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CUBA?

Antonio de los Baños on July 11, situated in relatively close proximity to Havana. Fed up Cubans protested on the streets to oppose the frequent electrical blackouts and lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines. The island Nation has seen a spike in cases in recent weeks Due to the rapid-fire nature of social media, word of the protests spread like wildfire across Cuba, the US and the world alike with #CubaSOS trending amongst locals, the Cuban diaspora and the wider international community. … Continue readingWHAT IS HAPPENING IN CUBA?

THE WORLD NEEDS IT | THE CASE FOR TOKYO 2020

As the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics commenced last night, protests throughout the Japanese capital opposed what many considered to be a risky imposition during a global pandemic. This comes as Japan records over 5,000 new COVID-19 cases per day, a spike which saw spectators banned from Olympic events. This begs the question whether it was wise for the Japanese Government and the International Olympic Committee to continue with the Games. The simple answer is not one based on logic. It has its roots in the romanticism of sports as a uniting force and the need to distract billions from the devastation and gloom they are suffering. … Continue readingTHE WORLD NEEDS IT | THE CASE FOR TOKYO 2020

Australia at the G7 Summit

The 47th G7 summit marked an important opportunity for Australia to contribute to solutions to pressing global issues and improve its diplomatic position among the world’s leading democracies. However, while there were some positives that emerged from the summit meeting, Australia appeared isolated on the key issue of climate policy, among others. … Continue readingAustralia at the G7 Summit

ISRAEL’S PATCHWORK COALITION: HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

Netanyahu’s downfall comes after a tumultuous period in Israeli politics. With four legislative elections in two years and Netanyahu being indicted on charges of bribery and fraud, many around the world see the new government led by Naftali Bennett as a force for positive change. However, Netanyahu, the seasoned political veteran who has served as PM for five terms, might be able to take advantage of the weaknesses in the arguably fragile coalition to return to power. … Continue readingISRAEL’S PATCHWORK COALITION: HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

The Illegality and Implications of the Ryanair Flight 4978 Diversion

On the 23rd of May, 2021, a RyanAir flight departing from Greece to Lithuania was forced to land in Minsk by Belarus authorities. Although the Belarusian government maintains that its diversion of the flight was due to a purported bomb threat on-board, it is widely believed in the international community that its sole intention was to arrest dissident journalist Roman Protasevich. … Continue readingThe Illegality and Implications of the Ryanair Flight 4978 Diversion

NORTHERN IRELAND’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE: LOYALISM, REPUBLICANISM AND PEACE

Since the Troubles ended in 1998, Northern Ireland has been searching for a way to allow its two communities, with often diametrically opposed identities, interests and aspirations, to live together peacefully. Intriguingly, these communities — loyalists/unionists and republicans/nationalists — are political (and somewhat religious), rather than racial, religious, or economic. Mostly Protestant loyalists identify as British and wish for Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom (UK), while mostly Catholic republicans identify as Irish and wish for it to leave the UK and reunite with the Republic of Ireland. This division was and continues to be the catalyst of Ireland’s violent past and uncertain future. … Continue readingNORTHERN IRELAND’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE: LOYALISM, REPUBLICANISM AND PEACE

A VULNERABLE GIANT? WHY AMERICA IS LOSING ON THE CYBERFRONT

Cyber attacks have damaged the U.S. economy, jeopardised American lives and contributed to a destabilisation of the country as a whole. The U.S. is the world’s richest nation, preeminent military power and a technological behemoth, and yet it appears to be losing a game that it should logically be able to play and win. This begs the question; why is the U.S. being compromised by cyber attacks? … Continue readingA VULNERABLE GIANT? WHY AMERICA IS LOSING ON THE CYBERFRONT

STATE OF THE UNION | UNITED KINGDOM SET FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

Last Saturday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote to Nicola Sturgeon with congratulations on her anticipated re-appointment as Scottish First Minister. He also asked Sturgeon to meet with him in an effort to resolve COVID-19-related issues throughout the United Kingdom (UK). Johnson’s letter highlights fear at Westminster for an impending constitutional crisis over the Scottish Parliament’s power to hold another independence referendum, with recent polls suggesting a close result. … Continue readingSTATE OF THE UNION | UNITED KINGDOM SET FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

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Category: Updates