Diplomacy
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning decades before US strikes on nuclear sites **1953: The Beginning of Hostility** The US overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953, leading to decades of tension and hostility between the two countries. **1979: Embassy Takeover and Sanctions** Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran […]
🏛️ Politics
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran
US and Iran have a long, complicated history, spanning far beyond Israel’s strikes on Tehran US-Iran relations have been strained for decades, dating back to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that overthrew democratically-elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh. The two countries have been particularly hostile since Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979, leading […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations
Trump administration’s conflicting messages on Chinese student visas reflect complex US-China relations The US has walked back plans to scrutinize and revoke student visas for Chinese students studying in the country, after initially announcing such a move. The decision reflects the complex and often contradictory nature of US-China relations, which have been marked by periods […]
🏛️ Politics
The commitment trap: How Israel, Iran and the US risk becoming prisoners to policies
The commitment trap: How Israel, Iran and the US risk becoming prisoners to policies The “commitment trap” refers to a situation where states and governments feel compelled to continue with a promised course of action, even if it’s not in their best interest. The concept applies to various situations, including unilateral acts of aggression, preemptive […]
🏛️ Politics
Two-state solution in the Middle East has been a core US policy for 25 years – is the Trump administration eyeing a change?
Two-state solution in the Middle East has been a core US policy for 25 years – is the Trump administration eyeing a change? The Trump administration’s stance on the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may be shifting, as evidenced by comments from US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Huckabee stated that he opposes the […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump–Xi call boosts Chinese president’s tough man image — and may have handed him the upper hand in future talks
Trump–Xi call boosts Chinese president’s tough man image — and may have handed him the upper hand in future talks US President Donald Trump held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on June 5, which was seen as a success for his administration and led to the easing of some trade tensions. The […]
🏛️ Politics
Why Kissinger would have been a Fortnite champ − and other foreign policy lessons from the gaming world
Why Kissinger would have been a Fortnite champ − and other foreign policy lessons from the gaming world Games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Minecraft can provide valuable lessons for understanding international relations, including realpolitik, liberalism, and constructivism. Fortnite’s battle-royale mode illustrates the concept of realpolitik, where states survive based on accruing power and […]
🎭 Entertainment
Even if Putin and Zelenskyy do go face-to-face, don’t expect wonders − their one meeting in 2019 ended in failure
Even if Putin and Zelenskyy do go face-to-face, don’t expect wonders − their one meeting in 2019 ended in failure The Normandy Format talks between Ukraine and Russia, led by European leaders, have been stalled since 2019 due to disagreements on sequencing key parts of a peace plan. The talks ultimately ended in failure, with […]
🏛️ Politics
The hidden power of cultural exchanges in countering propaganda and fostering international goodwill
The hidden power of cultural exchanges in countering propaganda and fostering international goodwill Cutting funding for cultural exchanges could harm US reputation and national security, as these programs help build relationships and foster international goodwill. The US has a long history of using cultural diplomacy to promote its interests and counter propaganda, dating back to […]
🏛️ Politics
Trump’s lifting of Syria sanctions is a win for Turkey, too – pointing to outsized role middle powers can play in regional affairs
Trump’s lifting of Syria sanctions is a win for Turkey, too – pointing to outsized role middle powers can play in regional affairs US President Donald Trump announced that the US would lift sanctions on Syria, a move seen as a victory for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who have […]
🏛️ Politics