Security
Albania’s CVE battle for ‘hearts and minds’ is not over
Albania’s massive crackdown on violent extremism is yielding positive results, but will the country prove resilient to Caliphate returnees?
Trump vs Kim: The art of the nuclear deal
The US and North Korea are likely to attempt diplomacy for a few months, but impossible expectations and intentionally vague promises could frustrate both sides. If this causes the deal to fall through, bilateral tensions could boil over once again.
Hire Powers: Cybercrime-as-a-Service and Terrorism
Cybercrime-as-a-Service opens up a realm of worrying new possibilities for opportunistic individuals and ideologically motivated groups, as well as a new front for law enforcement and security services to secure.
Special report: The impact of Iraq’s 2018 parliamentary elections
On 12 May, Iraqis chose their representatives for Parliament. In an environment influenced by the four-year conflict with the Islamic State and the fragmentation of politics, these elections are a critical test.
US antitank missiles risk escalating the Ukrainian conflict
The recent delivery of US antitank missiles to Ukraine risks escalating the ongoing conflict with Russian-backed forces in the east of the country. If not accompanied by a concrete strategy, US support also risks driving a wedge between Ukraine and the EU, generating weaknesses which Moscow can then exploit.
The Nicaraguan crisis deepens
The ongoing political crisis in Nicaragua between the Sandinista government under President Daniel Ortega and anti-government protesters continues to worsen. The crisis marks the worst period of political violence that Nicaragua has faced since the end of its civil war in 1989.
Australia wary of China’s growing stake in the South Pacific
China’s growing interest in the South Pacific will have alerted key Australian political and defence officials. Should Beijing eventually opt to establish a military base in this region, Canberra will have a firm action plan in place designed to counter China’s influence and reinforce Australia’s regional preeminence.
All sides deepen the conflict in Yemen
Over the past three years, the civil war in Yemen has expanded internationally. Most recently, the Houthis have increased missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, and though Saudi air defenses have neutralized these launches, they propagate further escalation of the conflict in Yemen.
How R2P impedes global governance
Despite the UN’s many member states that have attempted to redress R2P, the principle is still not included in the general assembly’s 2018 agenda and causes more controversy than benefit.
2018 Iranian Protests: A Second Revolution on the Way in Iran?
What started off as protests spurred on by the deteriorating economic conditions in Iran and the inflation in prices of basic necessities, escalated into a rebellion against the Islamic Republic itself. But is there a risk of another social and political uprising?
