Tag "UN"

Back to homepage
China Security

China in Mali and the Sudan: A Stepping Stone to Greater Chinese Influence in the UN?

China is pushing to become a bigger player in UN peacekeeping. Past involvements in conflicts in Mali and Sudan have shown that China is capable and willing to involve its own troops in UN missions. The decreased presence of other major contributors has allowed China to gain more influence within the UN. It is likely that China will capitalise on this, but at what cost?

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Morocco and Western Sahara – Military Posturing and Diplomatic Offensives

Whilst there has been no direct military confrontation between the Polisario Front and Morocco regarding the future of Western Sahara for a number of years, both Morocco and their opponent, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) have been deploying diplomatic overtures to sway opinion in their favour across the African continent and beyond. 

Africa Politics

Liberia: Mounting Political Tensions in a Fragile Context

Economic slowdown is sparking protests against the Liberian president, George Weah, one year after the departure of the UN peacekeeping mission. Despite its nominal success, the  international community has failed to address the root causes of conflict, and mounting political tensions could reinstigate violence in the country.

North America Politics

Trump’s “America First” policy: provoking adversaries and alarming allies

When U.S. president Donald Trump addressed the General Assembly in late September, he promised “to defend America’s interests above all else.”

Asia Pacific Politics

What next for Suu Kyi, Myanmar and the Rohingya?

The plight of the Rohingya once again dominates international media headlines. But even though Suu Kyi is reluctant to stop the attacks, geopolitical interests are likely to prevail over any

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Hamas reaches out to Algeria

Qatar´s calls for Hamas officials to leave the Gulf state prompted the group to seek to disperse its leadership, citing Algeria as a potential base.

Europe Natural resources and energy

Powering Europe’s newest nation: Investigating the Kosovo energy crisis

Last month, Kosovo reached a deal with two private property owners to access some of the lignite coal it needs to supply its power plants.

Security Sub-Saharan Africa Under The Radar

Under the Radar: What Trump, Trudeau and the Security Council all agree on

The Trump administration joins UN Security Council calls for peacekeeping reform and reduced expenditure in the DRC, but there is more than meets the eye. Donald Trump’s America First Budget

Politics

Rethinking Trump’s electoral win and the current populist wave

Trump’s win and Brexit aren’t the result of economic inequality or globalization, but rather due to basic values and vision.

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Syria: A convergence of interests for Russia and Iran

Russia’s recent use of an Iranian airbase to launch airstrikes into Syria is the most recent evidence of the strengthening of ties between Russia and Iran.