By: Sam Dantzler Early this week, the Hangzhou-based, Chinese startup, DeepSeek released its AI model causing a stir in the larger global tech industry. Historically, American tech firms have stayed at the forefront of the AI arms race. DeepSeek has disrupted this norm, however, as the company claims its model was developed more efficiently and... Continue Reading →
Goma Under Siege: M23’s Advance and the Battle for Eastern Congo
By: Madelyn Williams In recent weeks, the Tutsi-led M23 rebels have advanced towards Goma in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), near the Rwandan border, finally entering the city on January 26th. Within two days, by January 28th, the rebels had captured most of the city including the airport. The DRC claimed that they... Continue Reading →
U.S. Rescues Americans from Maduro’s Regime
By Cora Kirby Senior Trump administration official, Richard Grenell, traveled to Venezuela this week to speak with President Nicolas Maduro amidst the new administration’s heavy focus on deportations and anti-gang efforts. Grenell is said to be meeting with Maduro to pressure his government to accept deportations of migrants who have committed crimes in the U.S.,... Continue Reading →
White House to Put Massive Tariffs on U.S.’s Three Biggest Trading Partners
By Suha Abrahim Karoline Leavitt, White House spokesperson, has announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10% tariffs on China, which are to take effect on February 1st. These tariffs are in response to the movement of fentanyl and undocumented persons across the U.S. border. The White House contends that these countries are sources... Continue Reading →
Low-Altitude, High-Reward: Expanding China’s Drone Market into Kazakhstan
By: John W. Parks Following recent industrial trends, China has begun the expansion of an innovative market into the Central Asian region. Kazakh Invest, a nationalized investment company of Kazakhstan, signed agreements with two Chinese drone producers to build manufacturing hubs in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. As of January 2025, Yesil Technology Company and... Continue Reading →
Israel-Palestine Experiences Relief and Worry as Fourth Hostage-Prisoner Exchange Concludes
By Abby Bedard Saturday, February 1st saw the fourth hostage-prisoner exchange of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. 183 Palestinian prisoners were exchanged for three Israeli hostages, Ofer Kalderon, Yarden Bibas and Keith Siegel. Hamas handed the hostages over to the Red Cross in two choreographed events in Khan Younis and Gaza City. The exchanges went forward... Continue Reading →
Donald Trump’s Presidency Casts Shadow Over Ukraine’s Hopes to Retake Lost Lands
By Matthew Grace As President Elect Donald Trump assumes the presidency, his bold claims about ending the war in Ukraine “in a day” echoes a less than optimistic tune for Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine’s unaltered independence. This sentiment is also held by Ukrainian soldiers on the front like Sergent Dmytro, “Let the people in power... Continue Reading →
With No End in Sight, Myanmar’s Junta Extends State of Emergency
By Lauren Ho On January 31, 2025 the Myanmar military, or the junta, extended its state of emergency amidst its continued state of conflict. The conflict began in 2021 when Aung San Suu Kyi, the Myanmar national leader was arrested by his military. A state of emergency was promptly declared and catapulted the nation into... Continue Reading →
Oil and Drones in the Russian Ukraine War
By Matthew Grace Ukraine reported that a successful drone attack on January 24th, consisting of at least 121 drones, hit a Russian oil refinery and targeted Moscow, with Ukrainian claims to have damaged the Kremniy factory in Bryansk that produces missile components. The oil refinery station was in the Ryazan region, southeast of Moscow and... Continue Reading →
Trans-Caspian Trade: Growth and Development of the Middle Corridor
By John W. Parks As war in Ukraine continues to damage Russia’s credibility and economic security, other Eurasian producers have been forced to utilize alternative avenues of trade. In response, China, along with Turkey, the European Union, and Central Asian states have dedicated increasingly more resources to the development and expansion of a bypass route.... Continue Reading →