geopolitics - The Sixteenth Council

From Presence to Power: Can Africa Redraw the Map of Global Governance?

Africa is no longer absent from global governance—it’s increasingly present, from BRICS to the G20. But visibility without influence is a hollow victory. Despite symbolic gains, real power remains elusive, scattered by internal disunity and institutional limits. To shape the world order, Africa must build leverage, not just presence—through coherence, strategic diplomacy, and reform from within. The seat at the table is not the prize; what Africa does with it is.

To Intervene or not to Intervene – Consequences of a US Entry into the Iran-Israel Conflict

A U.S. intervention in the escalating Iran-Israel conflict risks igniting a broader regional war, straining ties with Gulf allies, and triggering domestic political backlash. As military assets mobilize and tensions rise, Washington stands at a crossroads: defend its strategic partner or uphold a doctrine of restraint. With public opinion divided and regional stability on the line, the costs of action may far outweigh the benefits. Diplomacy may be the only viable path forward.

Africa’s Strategic Position in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean Geopolitics: What’s really at stake as African coastal countries attract the world’s biggest powers?

Africa’s coastline is emerging as a geopolitical battleground where global powers vie for influence through strategic port access and dual-use infrastructure. From Djibouti to Lamu, African states must balance investment with sovereignty, transforming maritime assets into levers of power—not vulnerabilities—in the global contest shaping the Red Sea and Indian Ocean order.

Global Threat Report Evaluates National Security Challenges Facing Trump Administration

The U.S. Defence Intelligence Agency has released its annual threat assessment report in May 2025 offering a comprehensive appraisal of evolving global security challenges facing the United States. The report underscores the growing complexity of modern threats, shaped by rapid technological advancements and geopolitical rivalries.

Jean-Pierre Bemba Confronts National Crisis and Calls Out Joseph Kabila, Moïse Katumbi and CENCO in Landmark Interview

Jean-Pierre Bemba alleges high-level sabotage and outlines urgent reforms in aviation, river transport and governance in the DRC.

Assessing the Imminent Chinese Threat: Context Behind U.S. Defence Secretary’s Shangri-La Remarks

“There is no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent.” The U.S. Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, made this remark on May 31, 2025 at the annual inter-governmental security conference Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. In a stark warning to the U.S.’s Asian allies, Hegseth frames China as a national security threat, not just to the U.S., but also a military threat to the Asia Pacific region, particularly Taiwan.

A New Iran Nuclear Deal – Can an Agreement be Reached or Will a Conflict be Born?

As US-Iran nuclear negotiations stall, rising tensions risk igniting conflict. While interim deals and Omani-mediated proposals offer hope, like a regional consortium enriching uranium under IAEA oversight, key issues remain unresolved. President Trump’s threats of airstrikes and Israel’s potential unilateral action underscore the stakes. A peaceful resolution via the Omani framework may avert regional destabilization and ensure Iran’s nuclear program remains civilian-focused under multilateral scrutiny.

Britain Re-Arms: What the UK’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review Really Signals

Britain’s 2025 Strategic Defence Review marks a profound shift from post-Cold War complacency to strategic realism. With increased defence spending, revived industrial capacity, nuclear modernization, and a global military posture, the UK is preparing for long-term global disorder. From missile stockpiles to cyber resilience and AI-driven warfare, the review signals that Britain is rearming not for the last war, but for a future of great-power rivalry and enduring geopolitical turbulence.

Trade Rivalry in the Americas: China Courts Latin America and the Caribbean

At a time when the U.S. and China are cautiously working towards stabilising trade relations following their recent tariff war, Beijing is revitalising economic relations with Latin American and Caribbean states through the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) cooperation forum by offering them billions of dollars in funding.

Geopolitics: Its Significance and Functioning in Africa

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.

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