Russia – PIVOT

21st Century Oppenheimer: The History and Future of Nuclear Weapons and the Fight to Turn Back the Clock on Doomsday.

From the recent success of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ to Putin’s threats of all out nuclear war, there has been a fevered reinvigoration of interest in nuclear weapons and the likelihood of WW3. This article will explore both the past and present of nuclear power, to judge truly just how close we are to midnight. … Continue reading21st Century Oppenheimer: The History and Future of Nuclear Weapons and the Fight to Turn Back the Clock on Doomsday.

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

Surging Prices: The Reasons behind Increasing Global Gas Prices

“Over the past two years, natural gas prices have more than doubled. Those of us who use gas every day, such as for cooking and heating our homes, have seen enormous cost increases but many are unsure why. So what has happened? Everything.”

Monique Westcott addresses this burning question. … Continue readingSurging Prices: The Reasons behind Increasing Global Gas Prices

Sports and Politics: Can They Be Kept Separate?

The implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to expand beyond politics and the economy and into new contexts, the latest of which has been sport. The highly esteemed English tennis competition Wimbledon has made the decision to impose a ban on Russian and Belarusian players as part of a global effort to sanction Russia for its attack on Ukraine.

Sneha Ramanan discusses the significance of this ban and asks the question: Can sport and politics ever truly be separated? … Continue readingSports and Politics: Can They Be Kept Separate?

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 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

A MIAS Publication

Tag: Russia