Costly Coal or Novelty Nuclear: How are States in South and Southeast Asia Responding to the Conflict in the Middle East?

States 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.

Corporate Governance in Japan: Evolution from Stakeholder to Shareholder

Japan’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.

AsiaOwen WuMay 21, 2026orporate Law, Shareholder rights, Corporate Governance, Board Structures

Built for Tomorrow: Inside China’s Ghost Cities

Skyscrapers 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?

The West’s Selective Enforcement in Rwanda

After 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.

The Power of Food in Nation-Building: Jollof Rice in Nigerian Politics

Since 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.

AfricaPatrick SloverMay 18, 2026Food, Diaspora, Nigeria, Culture, Ghana, Rivalry, Unity

Whistles in the Age of Boiler Room Amapiano

The 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.

AfricaEleez OmarMay 18, 2026South Africa, Music, Amapiano, Apartheid, Expression

The Successes and Shortcomings of Pentecostalism in Ethiopia

Pentecostalism 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.

AfricaPatrick SloverMay 18, 2026Religion, Ethiopia, Pentecostalism, Democracy, Civil War, Abiy Ahmed

“Un-African” or Unjust? The Politics of Homophobia in Senegal

In 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.

AfricaKatie PriceMay 18, 2026LGBTQ, Homophobia, Human Rights, Senegal

Loss and Damage Funds and Climate Justice: What Responsibilities Do Developed Countries Owe to Developing Countries?

The 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?

Israeli Lawmakers Approve Expanded Death Penalty for West Bank Offenses

Israel’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.

Kigali: A Case Study Among Africa’s Tech Hubs

Backed 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.

AfricaChristina NiesApril 28, 2026Kigali, Rwanda, technology, innovation, startups, venture capital, Nairobi, Lagos, Zipline, M-Pesa

A New Coat of Paint: Examining Saudi Arabia’s Reputational Overhaul

Saudi 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.

Ad HocNathan LeeApril 28, 2026Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Dubai, entertainment, sports, sportswashing, influencers, LIV Golf, soccer

Iran After Khamenei: A Nation Split Between Sorrow and Celebration

The 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.

Goals and Geopolitics: UEFA Euro as a Mirror of European International Relations

From 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.

EuropeAndrei VolicApril 28, 2026UEFA Euro, Football, History, EU

Chokepoint Crisis: What the Iran Conflict Means for Global Energy Markets

As 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.

Ad HocSana MaheshApril 28, 2026Energy geopolitics, Iran, United States, Oil crisis

Four Years of Destruction: The War in Ukraine’s Development and Unlikely End

February 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.

Russia & FSUSonia ChornodolskyApril 28, 2026Ukraine, Russia, Conflict, Zelenskyy, Putin, European Union

Cricket Diplomacy: The Modern-Day Battlefield

Cricket Diplomacy, once a metaphorical olive branch, has grown to become a physical manifestation of geopolitical fractures in South Asia. The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup demonstrates how sports stadiums become extensions of political conflict. Decisions surrounding player safety, match boycotts, and tournament logistics, revealed that Cricket is no longer just a game.

AsiaNandini CherukuApril 28, 2026South Asia, Sports, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Cricket, Diplomacy, Bilateral Relations, T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka, ICC, IPL, PCB, BCB, Asia Cup

D66 Won. The Far-Right Didn't Lose.

As centrist parties across Europe scramble to counter the far-right surge, the Netherlands offers a rare electoral victory for the center-left. But while Rob Jetten and Democrats 66 narrowly defeated Geert Wilders' Freedom Party, the far-right bloc in parliament quietly grew, raising questions about what it actually means to beat populism.

EuropeVaiden PollardApril 28, 2026Netherlands, Far-Right, Elections, Centrism, Rob Jetten, D66, Geert Wilders, Populism

Internal Tensions Run Rampant Amid Raids in Brazil’s Favelas

Following violent police raids on two of Rio de Janeiro’s northern favelas, the Penha and Alemao Complexes, there have been sharp criticisms of the city’s governing authorities. The raids, now known as Operation Containment, are the country’s deadliest in history with an estimated death toll of 122. Interestingly, disagreement among the national and state governments is a salient feature of the raids, as the two forces carry out legislative action independent from one another. Aside from prominent gangs that orchestrate criminal activity in the area, this article seeks to highlight the harmful nature of generalizations frequently made about the inhabitants of Brazil’s favelas.

AmericasSophia WidholmApril 28, 2026#Brazil, #ComandoVermelho, #drugtrafficking, #RiodeJaneiro

Safe Haven in the South: Brazil’s Refugee Policy and Response to Venezuelan Migration

Today, over 100 million people are forcibly displaced. In the last six years, the number of asylum seekers has doubled, totaling 8.4 million by the end of 2025. Of these, Venezuelans make up the biggest number of asylum seekers, totaling 6.5 million. Brazil has emerged in the region as a key leader in refugee resettlement, welcoming many under its 1997 Refugee Law and federal program, Operação Acolhida. Yet, even with these legal protections in place, many Venezuelan refugees continue to face barriers in employment, language services and healthcare, revealing that much work still remains.