Diplomacy
Malaysia confronts the realities of MAGA diplomacy and Trump’s brash ambassadorial pick
Malaysia confronts the realities of MAGA diplomacy and Trump’s brash ambassadorial pick Malaysia has expressed strong opposition to Donald Trump’s nomination of right-wing influencer Nick Adams as U.S. ambassador, citing his lack of relevant experience and temperament, as well as his perceived disparaging of Islam and pro-Israel views. The nomination marks a turning point in […]
🏛️ Politics
Nations are increasingly ‘playing the field’ when it comes to US and China – a new book explains explains why ‘active nonalignment’ is on the march
Nations are increasingly ‘playing the field’ when it comes to US and China – a new book explains explains why ‘active nonalignment’ is on the march Active nonalignment is a foreign policy approach where countries prioritize their own interests and refuse to take sides in the great power rivalry between the US and China, updating […]
🏛️ Politics
Military force may have delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions – but history shows that diplomacy is the more effective nonproliferation strategy
Military force may have delayed Iran’s nuclear ambitions – but history shows that diplomacy is the more effective nonproliferation strategy Diplomacy has been a more consistently reliable strategy than military force for getting a targeted country to denuclearize, as evidenced by cases such as Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, and Libya. The use of diplomatic pressure, […]
🏛️ Politics
What happens next in US-Iran relations will be informed by the two countries’ shared history
What happens next in US-Iran relations will be informed by the two countries’ shared history The US-Iran relationship has been marked by nearly half a century of hostility, starting from Iran’s takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and the taking of 52 diplomatic hostages. The 1979 hostage crisis had a lasting impact […]
🏛️ Politics
Ceasefires like the one between Iran and Israel often fail – but an agreement with specific conditions is more likely to hold
Ceasefires like the one between Iran and Israel often fail – but an agreement with specific conditions is more likely to hold Despite President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, both countries launched airstrikes against each other within hours, raising concerns that the deal may not hold. Ceasefire deals often fail due […]
🏛️ Politics
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