After years of threatening predictions of a comeback of the far-right, we are now witnessing its rise to power. Arguably, Italy, with its previously understated new PM Giorgia Meloni, paved the way to what seems to be a now-inevitable shift in politics. Interestingly, countries that were not initially on the radar have been swiped by a wave of extreme nationalism. …

The war between Israel and Hamas has divided public opinion is a way that other conflicts have not. Importantly, the whole West has been identified with Israel. A process that was facilitated by the, at least initially, unwavering support given by Europe and the US to Israel. Nonetheless, this conflation of the West with Israel has been widely instrumentalised by …

A summit hosted by Japan commemorating their 50th anniversary in formal diplomatic relations between The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Japan, in which the overview of the summit was to strengthen regional security, and  another was promoting closer economic cooperation. Now into more than half a century, Japan and ASEAN have planted the seed of their relationship through economic …

A first important development to note is that on Wednesday the 20th of December 2023 Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh made his first visit to Egypt in over a month in what is a rare personal involvement in diplomatic efforts. The visit coincided with intensive talks on a potential new ceasefire to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza and the release of additional …

With a view to determining the economic fortunes of nations amidst this intricate network that is international trade, perhaps no other organization plays so pivotal a role at present as does the World Trade Organization (WTO). Established in 1995, the main role of the WTO has been to promote free trade, destroy barriers created by states which prevent trade with other …

The World Food Programme (WFP) is one of the major suppliers of the foods needed to feed millions throughout the world. But new funding cuts have worried observers about the organization’s future in conflict-torn countries such as Yemen and Syria. And if the WFP were to withdraw from these countries, food security would suffer an enormous setback.  The World Food Programme (WFP) …

On 8 March 2022, the European Commission presented its proposal for an EU Directive to fight violence against women, based on the wording of the Istanbul Convention. The scope of such a Directive is to set a common approach on the topic, which would later bring to the harmonization of European national legislations. The Directive would comprehend the criminalization of …

Since the invasion of Ukraine, the EU has imposed many rounds of ever-tighter sanctions against Russia and its currently debating about its 12th round. Some people claim these sanctions have not worked. Yet, the European Union was ready to dismantle any allegation. According to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, within a year, the European sanctions …

Following a brief truce negotiated between Israel and Hamas for the release of some hostages, the bombarding of Gaza has re-started. Israel’s intent remains the same: to eradicate Hamas. Hamas’ intent also remains the same: to eradicate Israel. Arguably, neither of them is succeeding in their efforts to do just that. Hamas’ attacks on the 7th of October 2023 only reignited …

As the largest emitter of greenhouse gas, it is crucial that China and the EU work together to speed up green growth initiatives globally to help address the ongoing climate change crisis. Underneath it all lies historical geopolitical rivalries and competitive economies. Still, the existential threat of the impending environmental disaster that we are facing should prompt urgent climate cooperation. Fortunately, …