ASEAN Summit in Malaysia: Defying Trump’s Tariffs. Will the Region Break Free or Bow Down?

At the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, leaders faced tough choices as Trump’s tariff threats loomed and China expanded its influence. With pressure mounting from both sides, ASEAN pushed for unity and new partnerships, including with the Gulf states. But internal divisions and the unresolved crisis in Myanmar cast a shadow. The summit was a clear reminder: if ASEAN wants to shape its own future, it needs to stand together, now more than ever.

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US-Syria Relations – How the Lifting of Sanctions can Lead to Opportunities for Rapprochement

The recent U.S. decision to lift sanctions on Syria has sparked cautious hope for a new chapter in U.S.-Syria relations. With a new Syrian president in place, there's a chance to rebuild diplomatic and economic ties. While the move offers opportunities for recovery and cooperation, it comes with tough conditions. Could this be the start of lasting peace and partnership, or just a temporary shift in a complex region?

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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.

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Tariffs and Trump: Reciprocity or Recklessness?

On May 21st, Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on EU goods and issued a sharp warning to Apple: move production to the U.S. or face penalties. It’s classic Trump; loud, provocative, and deeply strategic. But is it smart policy or reckless power play? This piece unpacks the logic behind the move, weighing its morality, fairness, and real-world impact in a tense moment for global trade and economic diplomacy.

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Oval Office Showdown: President Cyril Ramaphosa Faces Off Against Donald Trump

What should have been a strategic dialogue unraveled into a confrontation driven by misinformation. Trump’s reliance on discredited narratives highlighted the risks of populist rhetoric influencing foreign policy, pushing Ramaphosa to defend South Africa’s integrity instead of discussing economic cooperation and global trade partnerships

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Growing Pains of BRICS: Expansion Tests Unity and Purpose

The recently convened BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in April 2025 failed to issue a joint statement on the bloc’s response to the United States’ protectionist trade policies under President Donald Trump. While the grouping has lofty ambitions to credibly represent the Global South, there are lingering doubts whether the organisation is wavering in establishing a unified direction and purpose with an expanded membership.

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Tariffs, Inflation, and the Looming Recoil: Is the U.S. Economy Headed Toward a Storm?

Donald Trump was swept into office by voters frustrated with the price inflation of everyday necessities; rising cost of milk, bread, and eggs had become symbols of deepening economic strain. His campaign promise to rein in inflation, protect American workers, and bring manufacturing back to U.S. soil struck a chord with the middle class.

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