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?
Hope for Separated Palestinean Families
The Israeli government recently failed to renew the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law, giving thousands of torn Palestinean-Israeli families new found hope after years of forced separation. The law, which requires yearly approval, hinders Palestinean spouses from living together in Israel if one of the partners is from the West Bank and the other … Continue reading Hope for Separated Palestinean Families
Nagorno-Karabakh: A Perennial Dispute
When an armed conflict broke out in Nagorno-Karabakh between Artsakh Armenian forces and Azerbaijani forces on 27 September, few expected that this conflict, which concerns a small area of the Caucasus, would become the first war scenario to be decided by drones rather than directly by humans within 44 days. It is not known how … Continue reading Nagorno-Karabakh: A Perennial Dispute
Italy is Polluting (its Relations With) Tunisia in a Garbage Scandal
Waste and garbage disposal have long been an extremely problematic issue in Italy. For example, the generalised failure in adequately managing the disposal procedure within the country by both state authorities and private enterprises have created the basis for appropriation of the garbage business by criminal organisations. Sadly well-known is the extreme case of the … Continue reading Italy is Polluting (its Relations With) Tunisia in a Garbage Scandal
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: an Endless Diplomatic Conflict
Mankind's relationship with the River Nile is lost in the mists of time: its almost 7000 km length has allowed human civilisation to grow, prosper and enrich itself, bringing fertility even to the most hostile and desert territories it encounters along its path. Thanks to this mighty river, one of the oldest and most fascinating … Continue reading Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: an Endless Diplomatic Conflict