The Nexperia Affair – and what it reveals about Europe and China

A never-before-used Dutch emergency law, a suspended Chinese CEO, and a Beijing export ban that nearly stopped Volkswagen’s production line. The Nexperia affair turned an unglamorous chipmaker into the flashpoint of an EU–China struggle over strategic industry. China’s swift retaliation revealed just how fragile Europe’s grip on its own industrial base has become, and how readily economic interdependence is now used as a weapon.

Can Civic Tech Flip the Script of Youth Participation in Elections in the SADC Region?

Youth support for the democracy project has been waning over the years evidenced by voter apathy. It is therefore incumbent upon governments and other stakeholders to maximise civic tech tools to influence and attract this demography to vote or compete for political office, as part of the measures to strengthen democracy in the SADC region.

A New Dawn of the EU-US Relationship in Digital and Tech Issues

With the appointment of Joe Biden as president of the United States, the lawmakers of both the European Union and the United States have expressed their desire for a new dawn in transatlantic ties. Hence, the new president of the US was seen by MEPs as a chance to reinforce the EU-US relationship to tackle common challenges. Particularly emphasising the need to regulate tech giants.

The Epoch of Cognitive Warfare: Realities and Ramifications

There is a fundamental disconnect between countries that utilize cognitive warfare, such as Russia, which sees themselves perpetually positioned to be in information warfare, while the West views it as only temporary. This affects resource allocation, collaboration, expanding adaptability through feedback and follow through on operations.