On September 4, 2022, 13 million Chilean’s participated in a mandatory vote of the newly drafted constitution, which would drastically change the institutional structure of society and the rights of the people. The results were unexpected. Almost 62% of people voted against the proposed draft, compared to the 80% of people who had supported the idea of a constitutional referendum when it was proposed in October 2020. The proposed constitution had 388 articles and was 178 pages long, and included “issues like gender equality, environmental protections and Indigenous rights throughout the document” (Politi, 2022). It would have made Chile “the guarantor of more than 100 rights, more than any other national constitution in the world”.
An Iran Nuclear Deal in the Near Future Seems Unlikely
Written by Bushra Bani-Salman - September 12, 2022 The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), more commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, was a monumental agreement between Iran, Germany, and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom). The JCPOA increased regulations... Continue Reading →
Is Solar Energy the Future of North Africa?
Written by William Lucht - September 12, 2022 As climate change continues to affect our planet in multipolar ways, many governments have taken steps to achieve net neutral carbon emission or have started transitioning into renewable energy. While oil rich Middle Eastern states have enjoyed powerful influence in the energy sector, some up and comers... Continue Reading →
New Taiwan Arms Sale
Written by Camden Hanley - September 12, 2022 The US has approved a $1.1 billion arms package for Taiwan. The package includes 60 harpoon anti-ship missiles, 100 sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and logistics support for Taiwan’s Surveillance Radar program. The logistical support comprises the largest portion of the package at $665.4 million, with $355 million for... Continue Reading →
Amending Chile’s Constitution
On September 4th, the people of Chile will vote on a new constitution. Protests have erupted across the country as people worry over water rights, giving authority over mining rights to the state, and the possibility of corruption.
Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit Raises Tensions
Written by Cameron Chambers - September 5, 2022 Tensions are on the rise in the Pacific following U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. This visit intended to signal the ties between the United States and the island of Taiwan, which is ahead of the 20th Party Congress in Beijing. As a... Continue Reading →
Military Clashes, Narcotics, and Convictions in the Middle East
Written by Bushra Bani-Salman - September 5, 2022 Iranian naval ship releases U.S. sea drones into the Red Sea Thursday, September 1st, an Iranian naval ship seized U.S. sea drones in the Red Sea and released them on Friday, per U.S. Navy request. U.S. officials stated that cameras were missing from the sea drones, but... Continue Reading →
The CCP Congress & China’s Human Rights Abuses
Written by Camden Hanley - September 5, 2022 Two major events occurred in Chinese news this past week that require attention. The date of the 20th Party Congress has been announced and the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights office released its report on the PRC’s actions in Xinjiang. The 20th Party Congress will be... Continue Reading →
Elections and the Peaceful Transfer of Power in Africa
Written by Osetemega Iribiri - September 5, 2022 The peaceful transfer of power is not a reality in all African countries. For instance, some elections result in military coups in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan, and protests in Eswatini. Nevertheless, the situation is not all gloomy as countries like Zambia and Malawi have... Continue Reading →
The Importance of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development
Written by William Lucht - September 5, 2022 In Tunis, Tunisia’s capital, stands Tunisian President. Kais Saied and Japan’s foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi side by side at the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8), the first to be held since the start of the dynamistic COVID-19 pandemic. The conference, which has aligned developmental... Continue Reading →