PIVOT

THE WORST IS YET TO COME IF WE DON’T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY – AN UPDATE ON DISPLACEMENT CRISES AND ATTITUDES TO MIGRATION ACROSS THE WORLD

At the close of 2020,the UNHCR predicted that the number of displaced persons would, for the first time in history, reach 82.4 million people. The twenty-first century has seen many factors that have contributed to the number of peoples displaced; a global pandemic, climate change, economic crises, a surge in nationalist foreign policies, harsher border policies and domestic as well as interstate conflict. Many people have been left uprooted and unable to stay in their own homes, sometimes even their own country. … Continue readingTHE WORST IS YET TO COME IF WE DON’T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY – AN UPDATE ON DISPLACEMENT CRISES AND ATTITUDES TO MIGRATION ACROSS THE WORLD

Sanctions, Sanctions, Sanctions: What Are They and What Exactly Do They Achieve?

‘Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has stunned the world and left many of us reeling as scenes of horror and destruction are emerging from Eastern Europe. As we near the fourth week of the military conflict, a peaceful resolution for both countries still looks unlikely. NATO and its allies have remained resolute in imposing economic sanctions to oppose Russia, rather than engaging militarily.’

Sneha Ramanan takes a look at the purpose and actual effect of these sanctions. … Continue readingSanctions, Sanctions, Sanctions: What Are They and What Exactly Do They Achieve?

Territorial Integrity since 1945: How the World Has and Hasn’t Changed

‘The current international security system was designed on the premise of protecting territorial integrity. As enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and other foundational documents of the post-1945 system, sovereign states are supposed to respect the boundaries and political decisions of their neighbours, with this norm taking precedence. Yet, by looking at the current events in Ukraine along with other ongoing territorial disputes, this would be hard to believe.’

Pivot examines the concept of territorial integrity in light of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War … Continue readingTerritorial Integrity since 1945: How the World Has and Hasn’t Changed

THE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT | THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

The events of this last week can be described by a certain R.E.M song, as it truly is the End of The World as We Know It. It is hard not to imagine that we are living in a new world now after the events of the past couple of weeks. Russia has invaded Ukraine in a conflict that has already claimed, according to UN sources, 802 civilian casualties since it began over a week ago. … Continue readingTHE END OF THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT | THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

The Situation in Afghanistan

Given all that has happened in the realm of international relations recently, it is important that we not forget the devastation that is occurring in Afghanistan. The Taliban takeover in 2021 has created a humanitarian disaster that the international community has not effectively responded to. It is a complex issue which raises questions about how aid could serve as a legitimiser for the Taliban and sees some argue that it is foreign aid that caused this crisis in the first place. This article serves not to argue either side of these debates but rather to share some of the alarming facts, illustrating how dire the situation in Afghanistan still is. … Continue readingThe Situation in Afghanistan

The Platinum Jubilee and Constitutional Monarchy in the 21st Century

Today marks the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s accession to the Throne. Although not a time of celebration for the Queen as it also marks the anniversary of the death of her beloved father King George VI, this milestone will be celebrated across the Commonwealth with much fanfare in June. Every jubilee and significant royal event brings about questions regarding the monarchy’s future in Australia and other Commonwealth realms, including Canada and New Zealand. While it is important to have such discussions about the political structure of our country, there are other constitutional issues regarding the functionality of our governance which should be addressed more urgently. … Continue readingThe Platinum Jubilee and Constitutional Monarchy in the 21st Century

2021 – THE SEQUEL | WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2022

As we enter another year, it is imperative that we reflect on previous significant events in order to anticipate what the coming twelve months may bring. While much of 2021 has been overshadowed by COVID-19, the emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants, and the rollout of various vaccines, significant geopolitical rumblings have brewed and will continue to rumble well into 2022. The following issues may define the upcoming year in international affairs and even have impacts into 2023 and beyond.
… Continue reading2021 – THE SEQUEL | WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2022

Kennedy for Australia | The Importance of Caroline Kennedy’s Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Australia

President Joe Biden has nominated Caroline Kennedy, former Ambassador to Japan and daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, as the next United States Ambassador to Australia. Recent headlines regarding Ambassador Kennedy’s appointment have fixated on her status as a member of the infamous Kennedy … Continue readingKennedy for Australia | The Importance of Caroline Kennedy’s Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to Australia

The Green Promises of Electric Vehicles

It has long been recognised that electric vehicles will play a key role in achieving low-carbon economies. Their role warrants particular emphasis as world leaders prepare to assemble in Glasgow for COP26 with the intention of reaffirming emission reduction targets.

However, as Jeremy Yves demonstrates, the rise of electric vehicles comes with a range of environmental and social problems which may counteract their purported benefits and require greater consideration.

This article is the third in a series of articles focusing on environmental policy and politics in the lead up to the COP26 Summit. … Continue readingThe Green Promises of Electric Vehicles

AUSTRALIA ISOLATED ON CLIMATE POLICIES IN THE LEAD UP TO COP26

The 2019-2020 summer bushfires depicted the extreme and devastating impacts of climate change already here now. The subsequent toll on human and animal life generated public concern over the necessity to act early in order to prevent future consequences. This distress was largely pushed aside in the public sphere as the concern shifted to the more immediate issue of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in August the IPCC (International Panel on Climate Change) released a report predicting a global warming of 1.5oC as early as 2030. This landmark report reinforced the urgency of responding to the climate crisis. This is why COP26, held in Glasgow from early November will be critically important in preventing a runaway climate catastrophe. … Continue readingAUSTRALIA ISOLATED ON CLIMATE POLICIES IN THE LEAD UP TO COP26