Latest Articles
Deaths Of Despair: A Silent Interconnected Health Challenge In Europe
COVID-19 has only exacerbated an existing concern in Europe: deaths related to alcohol, drug abuse and suicide. We explore the reasons, consequences, and next steps.
(Analysis) Croatia, The Long Journey To Eurozone And Schengen Area
It has taken 9.5 years to become part of the Eurozone and Schengen Area. This is due to the strict entry requirements that govern these agreements.
Bolivia’s Thriving Lithium Sector Bolsters BRICS Membership Aspirations
An article looking at Bolivia’s push for BRICS membership, owing to developments in the country’s lithium sector, which is expected to see a huge boost in production numbers.
Security Watch – BRICS: symptom of an emerging multipolar world ?
The BRICS – a loose association of developing nations – have been the focus of global attention in recent weeks, for the 15th BRICS Leaders’ Summit. While the goal is to establish a more multipolar economic order, the existing geostrategic differences between India and China risk hampering the organisation’s ability to reach its full potential over the medium and long term.
Spain: the brothel of Europe to close its doors
Paid sex in Spain has remained in a legal limbo until the recent proposal of the Comprehensive Law Against Trafficking, proposed by the governing Socialist Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. In 1995, prostitution was depanelized as a voluntary activity, leading to an unregulated and very successful establishment of the sex industry since then. In fact, not only is Spain the European country with the highest demand for sex, but is also third internationally. This lack of jurisdictional model has been criticised by different actors for its lack of a comprehensive approach towards sex workers and the facility it offers to mafias to coerce and exploit victims into the industry.
The New Normal/La Nouvelle Normalité/新常態: BRICS Countries Seek Financial De-risking Amidst Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
In the midst of escalating U.S. interest rate hikes and the concurrent strengthening of the U.S. dollar, BRICS countries find themselves increasingly susceptible to the resultant repercussions. As a response,…
Democratic Backsliding and Self-Centered Foreign Policy: Hungary-EU Relations in Perils
The rise of Viktor Orbán’s right-wing populist party, Fidesz, in Hungary in 2010 has led to tension and conflict between Hungary and the EU. The Hungarian government’s numerous legislative acts undermine democracy, human rights, and the freedoms of its citizens, posing a pressing issue for both Hungarian citizens and the EU. The EU faces obstacles in holding Hungary accountable for its actions, but prolonged inaction could lead to increasingly severe consequences.
(Analysis) The Two Battles of Culiacan
The two battles of Culiacan provide a window into the ongoing process of military reform and reorganization which speaks to a deeper and more existential conflict between the Mexican Government and Organized Crime. Beneath the surface of a struggle for law and order there is a wider confrontation over the total order of affairs in Mexico.
Security Watch: What implications does the Niger coup d’état have for the Sahel?
On Wednesday 26 July, the head of Niger’s presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, proclaimed himself head of state following a military pronunciamiento. By this time, the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, from Niger’s Arab ethnic minority, was sequestered and removed from his presidential palace. This power grab risks upsetting the security and geopolitical balance in the Sahel, which has already been weakened by terrorist movements and the arrival of the Russian armed group Wagner.
Chile’s National Lithium Strategy: Balancing Sustainable Resource Management And Economic Growth
Chile’s push to harness its vast lithium reserves for a greener future is garnering attention. President Gabriel Boric’s visionary plan aims to position the nation as a battery industry leader, pivoting towards renewable energy. However, concerns loom over potential nationalization and private sector involvement. With global lithium demand on the rise, Chile’s strategy embraces state-controlled mining, sustainable practices, and local value chain growth. Balancing these goals, while attracting new players and preserving the environment, presents a complex challenge. As Chile strides towards sustainable lithium production, its strategy embodies a crucial global conversation on resource utilization and environmental responsibility.