insert_link Africa Iran’s intervention in Sudan’s civil war advances its geopolitical goals − but not without risks Members of the Sudanese Armed Forces on Aug. 14, 2023. AFP via Getty Images By Eric Lob, Florida International University Iran’s role in funding and arming proxy groups in the Middle East has been well documented and has gotten extra attention since the Hamas-led attack in Israel in October 2023. Similarly, Tehran’s arms shipments to Russia are well known and have prompted complaints and sanctions from the West. But […] today29 May, 2024
insert_link Africa US troops to leave Niger The United States and Niger have agreed that American troops will leave the country "no later" than 15 September, they announced in a joint statement on Sunday. According to the BBC, the two countries "reached a disengagement agreement to effect the withdrawal of U.S. forces, which has already begun". The US has relied on Niger as its primary base for monitoring regional jihadist activity. today20 May, 2024
insert_link World Iran crash: President Raisi reported dead – what that might mean for the country and region Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, is reported by state media to have died following a helicopter crash. Iranian Presidency Office via AP By Eric Lob, Florida International University Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has been reported dead after the helicopter he was in crashed on May 19, 2024, is a consummate loyalist whose passing will be a severe blow to the country’s conservative leadership. While search and rescue teams […] today20 May, 2024
insert_link Business / Economics Namibia-China economic partnership, and performative relationship strengthens Namibia and China have maintained a positive relationship over the years, the two sides have developed a strong economic and political partnership, with China emerging as Namibia's largest source of foreign investment and second-largest trading partner. We asked International relations expert from South Africa, Brooks Spector for opinion on the matter. today16 May, 2024
insert_link Africa Nigeria denies plans for foreign military bases amid regional concerns Nigeria's government says it has no plan to host foreign military bases within its borders. This follows reports that the government was planning to do so after three West African countries asked French and US troops to leave their country. today7 May, 2024
insert_link World How will US foreign policy affect Joe Biden’s chances of re-election in November? By Emma Shortis, RMIT University When big questions about American foreign policy collide with an election, it’s rarely good news for a sitting president. Like many leaders before him, US President Joe Biden has had some of these questions thrust on him, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some have their origins in past administrations, such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan. Most are a mixture of both, […] today22 April, 2024
insert_link Africa EU calls for resolution to Sudan crisis The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the Sudan conflict "has triggered the worst humanitarian crisis in the world" and "we must put an end to this man-made disaster." today15 April, 2024
insert_link World Ukraine war: Russia’s Baltic neighbours to create massive border defences as Trump continues undermining Nato By Natasha Lindstaedt, University of Essex With Donald Trump leading in many of the polls for the upcoming US presidential election, his comments about global security and foreign policy have to be taken seriously. In February, Trump flippantly remarked that he would encourage Russia to do whatever it wanted to Nato states that failed to pay their bills. In a follow-up interview on GB News this week […] today25 March, 2024
insert_link World The West can’t ‘solve’ its Russia problem. Here’s how it should handle 6 more years of Vladimir Putin By Peter Tesch, Australian National University In perhaps the least surprising news of the year, Vladimir Putin has triumphed at the Russian ballot box and been enthroned for the fifth time as president. He will serve for six more years. He will be 77 years old in 2030. According to the constitution, which he re-wrote to his benefit in 2020, he then could stand again for a further […] today20 March, 2024