Political Analysis

South Korea’s President Yoon Says Goodbye to the Blue House and Hello to Controversy

South Korea’s President Yoon Says Goodbye to the Blue House and Hello to Controversy

By Haan (James) Choi on December 27, 2022

After his election as the new President of South Korea in May, Yoon Suk-yeol hastily implemented one of his key promises: to relocate South Korea’s presidential office from Chung Wa Dae (Blue House) to a Defense Ministry Complex in Yongsan, an underdeveloped neighborhood in Seoul best known for its stationing of the United States military forces.

Making of a Martyr

Making of a Martyr

By Omad Asaf on December 6, 2022

Imran Khan’s constitutional coup and subsequent dissolution of the National Assembly has polarized Pakistan; a flurry of allegations has magnified the power of the military in the country's domestic politics. Pakistan’s current constitutional crisis was sparked by a vote of no-confidence against Imran Khan in April 2022, but has escalated further now that Khan has been disqualified from the next set of elections in August 2023. In the wake of the vote of no confidence, Khan rallied unprecedented support against the military establishment while he simultaneously claimed an American conspiracy removed him from office, which may have been fabricated.

China Is Lagging–the Worst Is Yet to Come

China Is Lagging–the Worst Is Yet to Come

By Melissa Sukniqi on December 5, 2022

Recently, there has been much debate surrounding whether China can prevent a recession for the upcoming year. In reality, not only is China incapable of preventing a recession—it appears that China’s recession is already underway, and there are several leading indicators suggesting that the worst is yet to come. Despite talks of GDP growth and state sponsored infrastructure projects to boost its economy, China is currently exhibiting telltale signs of an ongoing recession.

Poland Under Fire: What the Missile Crisis Teaches Us About NATO’s Response and the Containment of the Ukraine Conflict

Poland Under Fire: What the Missile Crisis Teaches Us About NATO’s Response and the Containment of the Ukraine Conflict

By Maël Le Roux on November 17, 2022

Regardless of the missile’s origin, we have never been closer to the risk of a global war since the start of the Ukrainian conflict.

Political Theater at the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party

Political Theater at the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party

By Konrad Lee on November 11, 2022

The show of force and shift in new leadership firmly established Xi’s undisputed control over party and country, making the entire week-long affair seem less about confirming political appointments, and more of a coronation ceremony for Xi.

On Iran’s Ambitions, Gulf States and the US Keep Passing the Buck

On Iran’s Ambitions, Gulf States and the US Keep Passing the Buck

By Justin Feldman on October 12, 2022

Much of the Middle East is facing a crisis of indecision on Iran. Despite extensive reporting on Iran’s expansionist ambitions, the Islamic Republic has been making bold demands with the expectation of both Western and Arab acquiescence.

Faced with Europe’s Increasing Swing to the Right, EU President Ursula von der Leyen Takes Confrontational Tone

Faced with Europe’s Increasing Swing to the Right, EU President Ursula von der Leyen Takes Confrontational Tone

By Kathryn Palmer on October 9, 2022

As Italy’s recent election of a far-right leader revives memories of a not-so-distant authoritarian age, European leaders last month invoked history of another kind in Athens at the 10th annual Democracy Forum.

Marcela Villacob

Editor

Opinion

The Role of Palestinian Force and Israeli Entrenchment

The Role of Palestinian Force and Israeli Entrenchment

By Justin Feldman on March 18, 2023

Analyzing the effects of Palestinian force against the Israeli occupation and Israel’s responsive entrenchment can advance understanding of the devolvement of the Oslo peace process in the early 2000s to the present-day status quo.

Egypt Just Hosted the World’s Largest Climate Talks – COP28 Must Build on that Progress

Egypt Just Hosted the World’s Largest Climate Talks – COP28 Must Build on that Progress

By Clara Apt on March 16, 2023

This year’s conference in Dubai can, and should, address COP27’s shortcomings by further advocating for the Middle East’s environmental security and confronting the root causes of global warming.

‘Loss and Damage’ Was the Focus of COP27. Don’t Expect Climate Finance To Change Anytime Soon.

‘Loss and Damage’ Was the Focus of COP27. Don’t Expect Climate Finance To Change Anytime Soon.

By Daniel Ziebarth on February 13, 2023

While it is fair to label this international agreement as a win for global climate politics, calling into question the basis of the agreement and its prospective outcomes is crucial.

China, Money Can’t Buy You Love

China, Money Can’t Buy You Love

By Jay Sophalkalyan on January 19, 2023

Why does China struggle to win hearts and minds abroad? Why is it still “uncool” in the international arena?

China’s Political Awakening Amidst Zero-COVID

China’s Political Awakening Amidst Zero-COVID

By Jay Sophalkalyan on December 6, 2022

For three years, the CCP’s zero-COVID policy in the aftermath of the Wuhan outbreak has included mass lockdowns, excessive testings, heightened surveillance, isolation, quarantines, and border closures. For three years, the CCP has managed to justify the policy by broadcasting how they were able to hold the virus at bay during 2020 and 2021 and how they kept excess deaths to low levels while marginally revitalizing China’s economy after an almost 7 percent sharp decline in GDP.

Largest Climate Bill in U.S. History Is a Start, but Is It Enough?

Largest Climate Bill in U.S. History Is a Start, but Is It Enough?

By Marin Scotten on December 3, 2022

Though the IRA has been praised by many both inside and outside of politics, it has also been criticized for a variety of reasons.

Jeff Bezos: Billionaire, Philanthropist, Greenwasher?

Jeff Bezos: Billionaire, Philanthropist, Greenwasher?

By Leon Langdon on November 17, 2022

The 27th UN Conference on Climate Change, COP27, saw a pronouncement from French President Emmanuel Macron that the Bezos Earth Fund had pledged $1 billion to protect carbon reserves and biodiversity. With such a prominent pledge, many have begun to ask, what is the Earth Fund, and where is it situated in the architecture of global environmental governance?