Latest Articles
The MENA Region’s Culture of Repression of Dissent: Is a New ‘Arab Spring’ in Motion?
Over the past years, authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have devised unforeseen tactics and strategies to maintain their grip on power, despite expressions of dissent and discontent. More than a decade after the Arab Spring, issues including political corruption, economic disparity, and restricted liberties are remarkably similar to those that initially provoked revolutions in the region.
The Far-Right’s Shocking Campaign in São Paulo’s Mayoral Race
Pablo Marçal’s campaign for mayor of São Paulo in 2024 highlights the intersection between digital populism and far-right politics, reflecting a global trend in which political outsiders take advantage of digital platforms to reshape electoral dynamics.
The Deteriorating Sino-Dutch Relations
The trade relations between the Netherlands and China are currently being threatened by the Netherlands priority of national security as well as the US-China trade war. National security concerns and geopolitical conditions can and are shaping the semiconductor industry of the world.
Öcalan Calls, PKK and Turkish Government Pick Up: Is a New Peace Process on the Line?
With the PKK’s dissolution now a confirmed reality, Türkiye faces its most credible opportunity for peace in a generation. The move reflects not just a tactical shift, but a strategic recalibration shaped by regional isolation, political pressure, and Öcalan’s renewed push for a democratic solution. Still, the end of armed struggle is only the beginning. Whether this moment leads to lasting peace depends on the state’s willingness to confront the structural inequalities at the heart of the Kurdish question.
Who Votes in Brazil? Social and Economic Determinants of Participation
In Brazil, voting is mandatory for most of the adult population. Even so, between 2014 and 2024, the abstention rate showed a growth trend, reaching 29.26% in the second round of the 2024 elections, according to data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE). To better understand these factors, we conducted a statistical analysis using data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), complemented by data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), which included a linear regression to identify the most influential variables affecting voter turnout rates.
Resource Dependency: Exploring the Chinese Monopoly of Critical Minerals
China’s dominating influence of the global critical mineral markets poses a pressing threat to international supply chains. These minerals are vital for advanced technologies, from semiconductors to renewable energy. With a global energy transition reliant on critical minerals, their increased demand has provided Beijing a whip hand to utilise in other geopolitical spheres.
A Security Economic Dialogue? The Deft Diplomacy Behinds Oslo’s Joint Statement with China on their Green Cooperation
Støre’s delegation group visit to China is potentially renewing Norway’s security economic landscape but not only helping to address Oslo’s energy economic transition hurdles, highlighting their Joint Statement has profound implications beyond what many conceive.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s fragile path to peace
In July 2024, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda agreed to a ceasefire. This fragile step toward peace underscored the need for a sustainable resolution after decades of conflict, as the humanitarian situation continues to worsen. But does peace have a chance to succeed?
Diplomacy at the State Level: How California’s Governor Gavin Newsom Shapes Foreign Policy
U.S. state governors are increasingly stepping onto the international stage, asserting themselves as key players in economic diplomacy and global policy. Traditionally confined to domestic issues, these leaders are now forging trade agreements, leading diplomatic missions, and building partnerships that directly shape international relations. Among them, California Governor Gavin Newsom.
A Coup Foretold: Brazil Confronts the Depths of a Plot to Kill Lula
Brazil’s federal police have uncovered an alleged plot involving military officers to assassinate President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President-elect Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in December 2022. The plan, referred to as “Green and Yellow Dagger,” proposed replacing the elected government with a military-led administration. Several suspects with Special Forces backgrounds have been arrested. Meanwhile, former President Jair Bolsonaro is under investigation by the Supreme Court in connection with a wider probe into anti-democratic actions following the 2022 election.