Who’s to blame? Dismantling the Russian disinformation machine in response to the Crocus City Hall attack 

On the evening of the 22nd of March 2024, the Russian rock band Picnic prepared to perform in front of a sold out crowd at the famed Crocus City Hall, one of Moscow’s largest music venues. Thousands  gathered in anticipation, however just as the concert was expected to begin, a series of masked gunmen stormed the building and fired multiple rounds of automatic gunfire. Pandemonium set in as the audience initially mistook the sounds of gunshots for fireworks, but the true chaos unfolding outside soon made itself known. Witnesses recall smelling smoke and burning as flames eventually took hold. The initial cause of the fire is still undetermined. Approximately 144 people were killed that evening, and a further 500 treated for injuries. The incident is one of the deadliest in Moscow’s recent history, and has left many asking who’s to blame.  … Continue readingWho’s to blame? Dismantling the Russian disinformation machine in response to the Crocus City Hall attack 

Taiwan’s E-Waste Management: A Model for Global Sustainability Amidst Geopolitical Challenges

In an ever-evolving landscape of global environmental challenges, electronic waste, or e-waste, has emerged as a pressing concern. Given the increased proliferation of electronic devices worldwide, responsible e-waste management is crucial for environmental sustainability, underscored by the global generation of approximately 53.6 million metric tons (Mt) of electronic waste in 2019, demanding urgent attention. … Continue readingTaiwan’s E-Waste Management: A Model for Global Sustainability Amidst Geopolitical Challenges

Lights, Camera, Action: Celebrity Political Power in International Affairs 

2020 witnessed celebrities donating to relief services in the wake of devastating bushfires in Australia, with advocacy on social media to escalate climate change policies and action. 

Between 2020-2022, black squares posted by world renown music artists swarmed social media platform Instagram for #BlackOutTuesday, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, a social movement combating institutional racism and police brutality against the Black community. 

The 2024 Oscars hosted numerous celebrities who were seen wearing red ceasefire pins to draw attention to ceasefire demands in Palestine, at the most prestigious award ceremony for cinematic achievements, bringing the current conflict into this acclaimed Hollywood space. … Continue readingLights, Camera, Action: Celebrity Political Power in International Affairs 

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HOW SPECIAL WAS THE ASEAN-AUSTRALIAN SPECIAL SUMMIT 2024?

At the beginning of March, Melbourne was bustling with preparations for a special occasion: it was the Australia-ASEAN Special Summit, marking 50 years of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations. There were many reasons to be hopeful – it could usher in a new era of trade and investment between two competent and eager parties. One undoubtedly a giant in the Asia-Pacific who, after decades of hanging out with its powerful friends all the way across the globe, finally realised it might be better off being on good terms with its neighbour. The other, despite its incredibly turbulent past, has grown to become a formidable power in its own rights and is increasingly asserting its command in this neighbourhood. Eager as the parties might be, however, there are some elephants in the room – ones that have long threatened the region’s stability and stalled its consensus  – that would sit high on the Summit’s agenda.  … Continue readingHOW SPECIAL WAS THE ASEAN-AUSTRALIAN SPECIAL SUMMIT 2024?

Understanding Arab Investment In The Sporting World

The Qatar FIFA World Cup, the LIV-PGA golf merger, the UAE’s global investment in soccer, plus the vast swathes of top-level athletes heading to the Saudi Pro League are just some examples of emerging Arab investment in sport. In response to this investment there has been global criticism – ugly spats between former footballers, online abuse and public condemnation aimed at anybody implicated from athletes, and coaches to entire organisations (ie: FIFA). This criticism has contended that these states are seeking to distract the rest of the world from their poor human rights records, in a phenomenon known as sport-washing.  … Continue readingUnderstanding Arab Investment In The Sporting World

Unravelling the Complexities: Understanding the Current Israel-Palestine Conflict

Conflict has broken out across the Gaza strip after a coordinated assault via land, sea, and air by terrorist organisation Hamas on Saturday. The Israeli government has “declared war” in response to the attack, which has seen over a thousand civilians killed and counting. While … Continue readingUnravelling the Complexities: Understanding the Current Israel-Palestine Conflict

The World Cannot Forget: Afghanistan and Ineffective Disaster Management

This article was written in collaboration with an Afghan national and law graduate from the University of Herat. I would like to thank them for their insight and representation. Their names have been anonymised due to ensuring their safety and freedom of speech. Significant developments … Continue readingThe World Cannot Forget: Afghanistan and Ineffective Disaster Management

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