The 1985 eruption of Nevado del Ruiz buried several Colombian communities beneath deadly volcanic mudflows, killing more than 25,000 people and exposing the catastrophic failures in the country’s disaster preparedness. Nearly 40 years later, what can the tragedy of the eruption and destruction of Armero still teach us about disaster risk management and the consequences of ignoring scientific warnings?
Read MoreNations can be ripened through democratic institutions or still be raw and vulnerable to the negative impacts of an autocratic regime. This article explores the rise and fall of Nicolás Maduro Moros, the collapse of a previously booming petro-state, and the human cost of authoritarianism and its impact on democracy. The article examines the current international and Venezuelan hope for democratic renewal in a country caught between crisis and change.
Read MoreThe Darién Gap has emerged as a popular route for migrants traveling to the United States, with hundreds of thousands women, men and children attempting to make the dangerous journey. With the intention of reducing migration, the U.S. has partnered with Latin American governments to establish policies that halt migration before migrants reach the U.S.-Mexico border. The question remains, are these policies actually reducing migration, or are they simply pushing migrants to take more dangerous paths?
Read MoreFacing increasing threats, Japan and Korea share significant interests. Yet, the two countries rarely cooperate with each other, with tense diplomatic relations at a stalemate. Many scholars have attributed this to the rocky history between Japan and Korea, specifically during the colonial period and World War II. Through the examination of Japanese nationalism focused on identity and collective memory, this paper argues that the failures to resolve the historical problems as a result of the humiliation to the Japanese identity impedes East Asian state cooperation, which eventually leads to perpetual reliance on the United States and attempts at rearming.
Read MoreStates in South and Southeast Asia have found themselves increasingly dependent on oil traded through the Strait of Hormuz. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, energy shortages and reliance on coal have become the new trend. In an effort to rapidly secure energy for their people and to keep their economies up and running, these states are forced to turn to alternatives to oil and liquified natural gas, pushing the region into a new era of energy use.
Read MoreJapan’s longstanding emphasis of stakeholders in business decision making has shifted into one that is focused on pleasing shareholders through profitability. However, what are the legal mechanisms of doing so? This article analyzes the origins of the shift in corporate governance from stakeholder-oriented to shareholder oriented in response to increased global competition, as well as explores legal reforms indicative of such shift.
Read MoreSkyscrapers without residents, malls without shoppers—China’s “ghost cities” feel like urban mysteries frozen in time. Yet behind the silence lies a complex story of ambition, speculation, and long-term planning. Are these empty landscapes cautionary tales of overbuilding, or bold investments in a future population that has yet to arrive?
Read MoreAfter the Rwandan genocide, Rwanda has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing economies, earning the title of the “Singapore of Africa.” However, this economic development has occurred alongside humanitarian violations and growing authoritarianism. The West’s response to human rights abuses in Rwanda has been limited, where meaningful action occurs only when mineral and economic interests in the region are threatened, most recently when the Trump administration applied sanctions.
Read MoreSince Nigerian independence in 1960, ethnic salience between the Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa Fulani groups has prevented Nigerians from building a shared national identity. Subsequent government programs attempting to address this issue have faced uneven results, showing the limits of public policy in bridging highly salient ethnic divides. However, everyday cultural movements like the widespread consumption and celebration of Jollof Rice show a new means to nation-building that is contrary to popular political theory.
Read MoreThe growing presence of whistles in Amapiano, a genre central to South Africa’s global cultural influence, reflects more than a stylistic choice. Historically used in apartheid-era townships to signal danger and coordinate movement, the whistle was a tool of communication. Its use in contemporary music suggests not a break from the past but a transformation of it.
Read MorePentecostalism emerges strongest in states as a replacement for weak governance like post-colonial Ethiopia. As an expressive faith that involves dancing and self-improvement, Pentecostalism also inspires worshippers to participate in civil society and fight for more just governments at the ballot box. However, as evident in Ethiopia, religious groups face major shortcomings in addressing deep-rooted issues restricting healthy democracy.
Read MoreIn recent months, Senegal has found itself at the center of growing debates over LGBTQ rights as rising homophobia and stricter laws reshape the nation’s social and legal landscape. Building on past legislation, a 2026 bill to increase penalties for queer individuals has been met with strong public and political support. Still, critics warn that these developments conflict with Senegal’s international human rights commitments and risk legitimizing discrimination.
Read MoreThe establishment of a Loss and Damage fund is not charity. It is a down payment on our shared futures. It is a down payment on climate justice.” How is it that the poorest countries are the primary victims of climate change despite being the least responsible for it?
Read MoreIsrael’s parliament, the Knesset, has passed a controversial bill expanding the use of the death penalty for terrorism-related offenses, applying primarily to Palestinians in the West Bank under military court jurisdiction. The law mandates execution by hanging within 90 days for certain convictions, limits legal protections, and removes key safeguards such as the right to appeal and unanimous judicial agreement. Critics, including international organizations and a host of countries across the globe, argue the legislation violates international law and disproportionately targets Palestinians, while supporters claim it will deter violence and future prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestine.
Read MoreBacked by the Rwandan government, capital city Kigali has made massive strides into becoming a regional information and communications technology leader. Its path to distinction is worthy of comparison to other African cities with similar accomplishments.
Read MoreSaudi Arabia’s growing investments in sports and other entertainment are bringing it attention from across the world while drawing attention away from its human rights struggles. The success of the nation’s “sportswashing” strategy could serve as a model for other capitalist countries moving forward if it is able to thrive with economic freedom but without social freedom.
Read MoreThe killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a U.S.–Israeli airstrike has exposed deep divisions within Iranian society. While some mourn the longtime cleric as a symbol of Shiite authority, others have taken to the streets to celebrate the death of a leader many blame for decades of repression and economic hardship. The starkly different reactions reveal a country divided over the future of the Islamic Republic.
Read MoreFrom Cold War rivalries to Brexit-era divisions, the UEFA European Championship has often reflected the political tensions shaping Europe off the pitch. This article examines how major tournament moments mirror key shifts in European international relations from 1960 to the present.
Read MoreAs missiles fly across the Middle East and drone strikes ripple across the Persian Gulf, the shock is being felt far beyond the region. Across the world, global energy markets are on the verge of collapse with oil prices rising, gas production halted, and critical infrastructure and trade routes compromised.
Read MoreFebruary 24, 2026 commemorated the fourth anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. Europe’s largest and bloodiest conflict since World War II now continues into another grueling year with no peace in sight, as Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy accuses Russia of “dragging out negotiations” in Geneva. As of early March 2026, Ukraine and Russia have stepped away from the latest round of U.S.-mediated peace talks without a conclusive breakthrough. In considering this most recent anniversary, one can’t help but wonder whether Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to be in this position, and all signs point to no.
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