Written by James Kessler | March 4, 2024 /// Mahamat Idriss Deby /// This week, Chadian interim leader and military chief, Mahamat Idriss Deby, has formally declared his candidacy for the country’s presidential elections. Elections are set to take place on May 6th. Deby came to power in 2021 after his father, Idriss Deby Itno,... Continue Reading →
ELN Peace: Strides and Struggles on Colombia’s Path
Written by Joseph Cain | March 4, 2024 ELN forces training The National Liberation Army of Colombia (Ejército de Liberación Nacional or ELN) is Latin America’s last-and-longest-standing insurgency. It has been engaged in intermittent peace talks with the Colombian government for decades. However, the Gustavo Petro administration has made peace with the group a cornerstone... Continue Reading →
Sweden’s NATO Leap: Balancing Act Amidst Russian Pressure
Written by Connor Foster | March 4, 2024 Signing of the Instruments of Ratification approving Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO. NATO secured a win this past Monday when Hungary officially approved Sweden’s bid to join the alliance. After nearly 200 years of remaining neutral, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 decisively pushed Sweden towards... Continue Reading →
Under Fire: Ukraine’s Battle for Survival Amidst Russian Advances and Fading Support
Written by Sophie Ritzenthaler | March 4, 2024 Residential building of Avdiivka after Russian shelling Throughout the last few weeks, villagers in Ukraine have listened in dread as the sounds of Russian bombs got closer. Nearly two weeks ago, Russian troops captured the southeastern city of Avdiivka with their sights set Westward. Since then, Ukrainians have... Continue Reading →
Navigating Debt: Zambia’s Journey through Restructuring and International Support
Written by Mariana Hinojosa Castillo | March 4 2024 Hakainde Hichilema at his presidential inauguration Back in June 2023, headlines such as “It’s finally done,” and “Bailout” signaled the hope and relief that was spreading in Zambia. After two years of negotiations, foreign lenders under the G20 Common Framework agreed to a restructuring deal. The... Continue Reading →
Bananas, Bullets, and Backlash: Ecuador’s Battle for Stability
Written by Joseph Cain | February 18, 2024 President Daniel Noboa Ecuador is facing unprecedented times. In early January, President Noboa stated that Ecuador was in an internal armed conflict with 22 armed groups and gangs. The government has designated these 22 groups as terrorist organizations allowing for military operations against them. However, after years... Continue Reading →
Europe’s Green Gambit
Written by Connor Foster | February 18, 2024 German farmers protesting on the side of the road Farmers across Europe are sparking protests in response to restrictive national and European Union environmental policies. Protestors are demonstrating by blockading roads with tractors, blocking ports, and throwing eggs at the European Parliament. The European Green Deal has... Continue Reading →
Democratic Instability in Senegal
Written by James Kessler | February 17, 2024 President Macky Sall On February 3rd Senegalese President Macky Sall canceled the upcoming elections just weeks before they were to take place on the 25th. The ballot was postponed by Sall after citing a dispute between the legislative and judicial bodies concerning potential candidates who have been... Continue Reading →
Climate Change and Canal Crisis
Written by Jose Aguilar | February 18, 2024 The Houthis in Yemen are disrupting global trade through the Suez Canal due to geopolitical factors, which caused ships to divert around the African continent. Global trade is disrupted on this continent, but for different reasons. In the Americas, climate change and droughts are reducing maritime traffic... Continue Reading →
Democracy is Under Attack in Guatemala
The Guatemalan Congress has been increasing its targeted attacks against the President-elect, Bernardo Arevalo, aiming to strip him as well as members of his party of their political immunity. These attacks are a direct attack against Guatemala's democracy and rule of law.