Latest Articles
The New Normal/La Nouvelle Normalité/新常態: The End of US Dollar Hegemony?
From ASEAN’s consideration to settle trade in local currency to Brazilian President Lula’s visit of China, the author analyses the recent trend towards de-dollarisation
The Great Enemies Reconcile: Beijing host meetings between Saudi Arabia and Iran
On March 6, 2023, representatives from Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Beijing; four days later, Riyadh and Tehran declared their decision to normalise relations. Saudi Arabia and Iran share…
Yet Another Attempt at Peace: New Round of Negotiations between the Colombian Government & the ELN
Colombia has begun a new attempt to reach peace with the oldest guerrilla group in the continent: the ELN. With challenges and new opportunities emerging can these negotiations be the final one?
The New Normal/La Nouvelle Normalité/新常態: From the Resumption of Diplomatic Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran to Xi’s Visit to Russia – The Strategic Game Between China and the US Behind the Scenes
Following the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, many international scholars began to explore the role of China in the Russo-Ukrainian war. However, it is still difficult for China to play the role of mediator. Firstly, the Russian-Ukrainian war is by its very nature a proxy war, with the US’s strategic goals to weaken Russia economically and make European countries more dependent on the US militarily. China will not be able to reverse US strategic objectives until the US domestic environment changes. Secondly, as China is a long-term challenger to US hegemony at its core, the US also wants to worsen China’s relationship with the EU by tying China and Russia together through the Russo-Ukrainian war. The EU does not have confidence in China’s neutrality in the Russo-Ukrainian war. If China wants to mediate the Russo-Ukrainian war, it must win over the EU and seek a consensus, so that both sides can force the US and Russia to act prudently on the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Stolen Cars For Export: The Curious Case of Criminal Trading of Canadian Vehicles to West Africa
While illicit automobile trafficking stands as a growing phenomenon in the field of transnational organized crime, the joint effort by the security agencies of affected countries, car manufacturers and international transport companies is essential to confront this scourge.
The Birth of the European Diplomatic Academy: Giant Leap or A Small Step Towards A United European Foreign Policy?
In August 2022, the European External Action Service launched a pilot project for the establishment of a European Diplomatic Academy with the long-term goal to solidify and unify European foreign policy.
Security Watch: China Extends its Influence in the Solomon Islands
The ousting of former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani is a step forward for China as it seeks to strengthen its political and economic influence in the Solomon Islands.
Global (In)Governance: The Yasuni ITT Failure
The failure of the Yasuni ITT initiative demonstrated a missed opportunity for a global governance approach to encourage environmental conservation. What lesson can be learned for future global emergencies?
Big Data: A Challenge for Democracy?
In the digital age in which we live in, there is new information available every second. From credit card purchases to Google searches, everything leaves a mark. Big data is that large digital footprint that collects what we do both online and offline. What can all this information be used for?
The New Normal/La Nouvelle Normalité/新常態: The Anniversary of Russo-Ukrainian War: China’s Position Dilemma
China has released its position paper on the first anniversary of the Russo-Ukrainian War. However, the paper was received with mixed reviews. In this article, the author analyses the dilemma of China’s position and what China should do in the future to gain the support of more countries for its position.