On June 27, 2023, Nahel Merzuok, a French citizen of Moroccan and Algerian descent, was shot and killed by a police officer in Nanterre, a suburb of Greater Paris. This harrowing incident ignited a wave of protests and riots that swept across Paris and the … Continue readingThe French Police Force: Liberté, Égalité, Brutalité
When the Popular Party led the votes in Spain’s local government elections this May, it was predicted to dominate in the July general election. And then the party went even further to form a coalition with the ultra-conservative Vox party, prompting talks about the first … Continue readingSPAIN’S ELECTION RESULTS AND THE RISE OF EUROPE’S FAR-RIGHT
In April 2022, the People’s Republic of China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact that sparked a widespread response from the West. This pact entailed boosting the national security capacity of the Solomon islands via access to Chinese police, armed forces, military personnel … Continue readingCHINA IN THE PACIFIC: MAKING NEW FRIENDS
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
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
Planning your next trip? Want to take a scenic boat ride along the beautiful Ha Long Bay? Hike the scenic summit of Sapa? Visit the historic sites of the culturally rich Hoi An? Vietnam is a beautiful country to visit and has much to offer … Continue readingWhat’s the next destination: Sustainability and Tourism in Vietnam
In his election victory speech, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed, ‘in full’, to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Statement proposes a suite of reforms, including the constitutional recognition and empowerment of Australia’s First Nations by allowing them to have a say in the … Continue readingWhat does a First Nations foreign policy really mean?
In May of this year, over three years after its international debut, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) was no longer a ‘public health emergency of international concern’. While acknowledging the continued severity of the risks associated with COVID-19, Dr. Tedros, WHO’s … Continue readingLESSONS UNLEARNT – PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS AFTER COVID-19
In the heart of Shandong province, Zibo’s streets are filled with a smoky allure. Barbecues have become a symbol of cultural resistance against the societal pressures of post-Covid China. This ‘BBQ City – Zibo‘ phenomenon contrasts sharply with ‘Runology,’ a term encapsulating the yearning of … Continue readingThe Dialectics of Discontent: A Glimpse of Reality through Societal Phenomena in Post-COVID China
At first glance, Chechnya — the small Russian republic in the Northern Caucasus region — appears an unlikely candidate for substantial involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The republic is barely 0.1% of Russia’s total area, and contains less than 1% of Russia’s population. Perhaps even less likely is a scenario in which Chechens fight in Ukraine on both sides. Yet both situations are now playing out. To understand why, we must understand how Chechnya’s current religious and geopolitical circumstances developed. … Continue readingWHY CHECHENS ARE FIGHTING FOR – AND AGAINST – RUSSIA IN UKRAINE