The high-profile visit of the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to Southeast Asia came to an end. Harris concluded her trip to Singapore and Vietnam with what seemed empty promises and left the international audience somehow bewildered regarding the U.S. administration’s foreign policy for Southeast Asia. Security and defense have traditionally been the main objectives … Continue reading Why Biden’s New Southeast Asia Foreign Policy is Easier Said Than Done?
Promised Land, Crusader State: The Eight Traditions of US Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
As part of my graduate studies, I recently had to read Dr. Walter McDougall’s 1997 book Promised Land, Crusader State: The American Encounter with the World Since 1776. McDougall outlines eight US traditions of diplomacy and foreign policy, which he identified in the process of reviewing previous conceptions of these and the primary source they … Continue reading Promised Land, Crusader State: The Eight Traditions of US Diplomacy and Foreign Policy
“Peacemaking” Hypocrisy: Human Rights Violations are Turning into a Norm Under the Taliban Regime
Despite their promises, the Taliban have failed to honour their word on a number of commitments. There are still ongoing violations of basic human rights (such as the right of women to study and work, and freedom of the media). The amnesty offered to political opponents turned out to be mere lip service. The situation … Continue reading “Peacemaking” Hypocrisy: Human Rights Violations are Turning into a Norm Under the Taliban Regime
Chinese and American Arms Race Intensifies
In an effort to counter China and its strong military navy technology, the United States, Australia and the UK announced their new joint AUKUS agreement. This partnership will allow Australia to equip itself with stealthy, long-range nuclear-powered submarines in order to stand strong against China’s growing military capacity. It is evident that an acceleration of … Continue reading Chinese and American Arms Race Intensifies
A Breeze of Democracy?
Since 2013, Venezuela has been on a continuous downward spiral after Maduro assumed the role of presidency, following the death of Hugo Chávez. Little by little, Maduro, with the military by his side, instituted and inserted non-democratic traits into the political institutions such as: persecuting of civil activism, silencing freedom of speech, curtailing free press, … Continue reading A Breeze of Democracy?
An Overview on the Sahel Region: International Presence and Humanitarian Challenges
The Sahel region is an area in sub-Saharan Africa characterized by conflicts primarily between state forces and armed terrorist groups. Over the past ten years, it has devastated the area and triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, leading to the intervention of several international military forces in the territory. International missions in the Sahel: a timeline … Continue reading An Overview on the Sahel Region: International Presence and Humanitarian Challenges
Biden’s Foreign Policy and his Afghanistan Decision
President Biden won the 2020 Presidential elections with a campaign strategy that promised a more compassionate foreign affairs policy. His decision to remove all American troops from Afghanistan’s territory, leaving the country completely vulnerable to Taliban intervention, gave a very different impression. The humanitarian catastrophe currently unfolding in Afghanistan suggest that Biden’s concern was directly … Continue reading Biden’s Foreign Policy and his Afghanistan Decision
Biometrics Beware: an Advancement in Modern Warfare
The world seems to be confronting the same news articles that surfaced around 20 years ago. “USA enters the Middle East” “Is the US military pulling out of the Middle East?” The newsstands, internet, and entire world seemed to become consumed by the political affairs between the US and the Middle East. Today, more than … Continue reading Biometrics Beware: an Advancement in Modern Warfare
The Declaration of Matera: A Call to Action on Food Systems in the Pandemic
On 29th June 2021, the Italian city of Matera, famous for its Sassi named UNESCO World Heritage site, has hosted the meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers of G20, the international forum that brings together the world’s major economies since 1999. In addition to this meeting, for the first time in G20 history, a joint session … Continue reading The Declaration of Matera: A Call to Action on Food Systems in the Pandemic
Wahhabism and Saudi Kingdom: A Dangerous Alliance?
Saudi Arabia is frequently mentioned today, not only because of the wealth shown by the ruling family, but also and above all because of its investments scattered around the world. As a rentier state, Saudi Arabia has enjoyed a flourishing economy based on oil and gas exports for almost 70 years now. This enormous wealth … Continue reading Wahhabism and Saudi Kingdom: A Dangerous Alliance?