Due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the geopolitical and security landscape of Europe has been transformed drastically. The conflict has been centred around two key aspects with both sides seeking to gain control over security in the Black Sea and the Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In that regard, Russia has used its naval dominance to pressure Ukraine and …

Russia’s influence in Africa has steadily increased, driven by its foreign policy and economic ambitions. At the forefront of this expansion are mercenaries, notably the Wagner Group, whose operations have reshaped the dynamic in the Sahel. However, limits to Russia’s approach are beginning to emerge. Non-state actors such as mercenaries, militias, and armed separatists operate in a legal gray area. …

The Red Sea, a vital trade route which links Europe, Asia and Africa, has recently been pushed to the forefront of the geopolitical landscape due to increased instability in the region. Houthi rebels have been carrying out attacks on commercial vessels which have raised alarms about regional stability, freedom of navigation, and global trade security. In response, the U.S. and …

Yemeni civil war, started in 2015, has killed more than 250,000 people, led to over 4 million people internally displaced, and has created one of the worst humanitarian crises, alongside devastating political and economic consequences. External interference among neighbours has led to a proxy war between three factions: the internationally recognized government backed by the Saudi, the Iran-supported Houthi rebels, …

Since 1801, when Ireland became part of the United Kingdom, the natives Irish Catholics have kept fighting for independence because they considered the British as illegitimate rulers of their land. Following the Irish War of Independence of 1921, Ireland was separated between the Republic of Ireland, largely Catholic and nationalist, who pushed for independence and obtained it, and Northern Ireland, …

The South China Sea is a crucial maritime passage connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans: its strategic location for maritime roads, the vast quantity of resources that comes with it, and the overlapping territorial claims among coastal states, such as China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, have made the territory one of the most unsettled geopolitical conflicts of …

Myanmar has suffered decades of repressive military rule, poverty due to years of isolationist economic policies, and civil wars with ethnic minority groups. The military presence has been a constant in the country’s history, from the takeover of General U Ne Win in 1962, till the dissolution of the military junta in 2011. The transitional period to democratization of the …

The turmoil decades the Balkans went through seems not to have ended: transboundary rivalry, localized violence, and political uncertainty are raising tensions in an exponential way, making the world question whether nationalism-fuelled conflict over borders might be resurging. In Particular, the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo is still very tight. Serbia seems not willing to take a step forward to …

Taiwan is experiencing a growing self-identity with the passing of time. The democratic government and its own constitutions are key factors in shaping the political perceptions of younger generations that are distancing themselves from Chinese rule. On the other hand, Beijing still sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually join its national borders. Despite the strong economic …

            The newly found agreement between Russia and Niger signals the return of the Russian influence coming back to Africa as the United States (U.S.) leaves Niger. Outpacing U.S. to grab a piece of the influence sphere over Africa is a starting point for Russia to settle within the region. Russia is settling in Niger with sending instructors and military equipment …