Diplomacy
Trump tariffs and warming India-China ties have silenced the Quad partnership … for now
Trump tariffs and warming India-China ties have silenced the Quad partnership … for now The Quad partnership between the US, India, Australia, and Japan has been on hold due to disagreements over trade tariffs and warming ties between India and China. The US imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods in August 2025, which was […]
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From truce in the trenches to cocktails at the consulate: How Christmas diplomacy seeks to exploit seasonal goodwill
From truce in the trenches to cocktails at the consulate: How Christmas diplomacy seeks to exploit seasonal goodwill Christmas diplomacy refers to the use of the holiday season to foster peace and warm relations between nations through statements, efforts, and cultural practices. The tradition of Christmas diplomacy has deep roots in history, dating back to […]
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Pope Leo XIV’s visits to Turkey and Lebanon were about religious diplomacy
Pope Leo XIV’s visits to Turkey and Lebanon were about religious diplomacy Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Turkey and Lebanon (Nov. 27 – Dec. 2, 2025) was a gesture of interreligious dialogue and support for local minority Christian communities, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. The trip highlighted the challenges faced by […]
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Peace plan presented by the US to Ukraine reflects inexperienced, unrealistic handling of a delicate situation
Peace plan presented by the US to Ukraine reflects inexperienced, unrealistic handling of a delicate situation The US has presented a 28-point peace plan to Ukraine, which critics say heavily favors Russia and puts Ukraine’s sovereignty at risk. The plan includes significant concessions for Russia, such as being released from economic sanctions and rejoining the […]
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A year on, the Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire looks increasingly fragile − could a return to cyclical violence come next?
A year on, the Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire looks increasingly fragile − could a return to cyclical violence come next? The Israeli-Lebanese ceasefire agreement is looking increasingly fragile, with over 10,000 Israeli air and ground violations inside Lebanese territory since its announcement on November 27, 2024. The ceasefire has not achieved any of its objectives, including the […]
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Why can’t every country get along with each other? It comes down to resources, inequality and perception
Why can’t every country get along with each other? It comes down to resources, inequality and perception Scarcity leads to hard choices: Countries compete for limited resources like food, oil, water, and land, forcing them to prioritize their needs. Uneven distribution means relying on others: Nations have different levels of power and capabilities, which shapes […]
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Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention has a ripple effect that could cause problems with India
Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention has a ripple effect that could cause problems with India Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention has raised concerns that it could heighten tensions with India, particularly over shared water resources. The convention aims to promote cooperation and sustainable management of shared water resources, but Bangladesh’s decision […]
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Trump’s ability to counter Netanyahu’s spoiler tactics in public may have been key to advancing a ceasefire in Gaza
Trump’s ability to counter Netanyahu’s spoiler tactics in public may have been key to advancing a ceasefire in Gaza President Donald Trump’s ability to counter Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “spoiler” tactics in public may have been key to advancing a ceasefire in Gaza, which was declared on October 14, 2025. Netanyahu employed “public spoiling” […]
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Xi-Trump summit: Trade, Taiwan and Russia still top agenda for China and US presidents – 6 years after last meeting
Xi-Trump summit: Trade, Taiwan and Russia still top agenda for China and US presidents – 6 years after last meeting Xi Jinping and Donald Trump are set to meet on October 30, 2025, six years after their last meeting, with trade, Taiwan, and Russia still at the top of the agenda. The US has softened […]
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The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis
The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis Latin America played a crucial role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis, contrary to the standard U.S.-centric narrative that portrays President John F. Kennedy as the sole hero who saved the world from nuclear war. The Organization of […]
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