Explore insightful analysis and diverse perspectives on critical global issues from leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners. Our expert commentary provides in-depth insights to challenge conventional thinking and inform informed decision-making.
Africa, with its vast natural resources, strategic maritime routes, and growing political influence, is a focal point in global geopolitics. From the colonial era to contemporary power struggles, external and internal forces have shaped the continent’s trajectory.
Donald Trump is not playing politics as usual. His strategy is clear: dismantle globalist entanglements, put America first, and force the world to operate on terms favorable to the United States. It is a bold, unrelenting push to restore dominance.
These elements have made the United States a superpower, setting the agenda for world affairs. However, under President Trump, these pillars have undergone significant transformations. While some have been reinforced, others have been fundamentally altered, leading to a new era of American power with a distinctly different approach to leadership.
Ultimately, the human cost compels a renewed sense of urgency. The stories of families torn apart by shelling in Mariupol, the harrowing journeys of refugees fleeing Kharkiv, and the mounting mental and emotional toll on frontline soldiers remind us of the stakes. Millions of people yearn for a future free of conflict—where children can attend schools safely, homes are not threatened by missile strikes, and peace is more than a distant aspiration.
President Trump’s stance, as captured by a BBC broadcast and supported by fresh statements from his Florida residence at Mar-a-Lago, goes further than his previous rhetorical positioning. Instead of stressing deterrence through strength—his usual rationale—he placed partial responsibility on Ukraine, suggesting that a territorial concession could have averted the conflict altogether. These statements have elicited strong reactions worldwide, most notably in Ukraine itself, which has borne the brunt of the Russian invasion.
This article asserts that the DRC’s unique circumstances do not need another fiery nationalist leader; it requires a strategist—someone capable of forging pragmatic coalitions internally and externally, advancing military capabilities to secure its vast territories, and ensuring sustainable development in key sectors. Drawing on historical episodes, reputable sources, and factual evidence, we examine why strategic leadership can better serve the DRC’s interests than pure nationalism.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have high vulnerabilities to climate change effects, which are largely driven by climate change-induced changes in the ocean. Rising sea levels, ocean warming and acidification, and the chain effects of these on marine life have already begun to affect SIDS.
Europe’s challenges are no longer limited to the economic sphere. As was evidenced by Vice-President Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference this year, it faces very real security concerns and vulnerabilities precipitated by an over-reliance on the United States for defense. This has led to a moral hazard, where due to being dependent on American security guarantees
A defining feature of Trump’s presidency has been his protectionist economic stance. He has repeatedly criticized European trade practices, branding them as unfair to American manufacturers and threatening reciprocal tariffs on industries such as automotive and agriculture.
A fiercely contested presidential election in Ecuador recently concluded without producing a clear winner, setting the stage for a high-stakes run-off. Recent years have seen Ecuador grapple with rising crime rates, a volatile economy, and deepening ideological divides. This article explores the factors behind the deadlock, and the clashing policy platforms.