When Paradise Pays the Price: How Tourism Brings Economic and Social Inequality to Madagascar
Madagascar is one of the countries around the globe that has recently experienced a Gen Z led protest movement. The Malagasy protests led to a successful political revolution, after which then president Andry Rajoelina fled the country. While the Malagasy people look towards the future with hope as a new system of governance is being created, there is one aspect of Madagascar’s economy that is still perpetuating a structure of inequality: tourism.
Headache at the US-China Negotiating Table: The Minerals That Had Washington in a Chokehold
Seventeen metallic elements, coined the rare earth minerals, power your college’s washing machines and Washington’s key defense technologies. These metals are almost exclusively produced in China — giving it a fundamental leverage in the ongoing trade war.
The Race to Save the Reefs: Will Coral Decline Become Permanent?
Coral reefs are among the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on the planet, referred to as the “rainforests of the sea” by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These underwater structures are essential to marine life, providing habitats for aquatic organisms and protecting coastlines from harsh waves and surges during extreme weather events. Yet, rising ocean temperatures, driven by climate change, are pushing reefs to their limits. Scientists are witnessing unprecedented coral loss, raising urgent questions about whether these biomes can survive the warming decades ahead.
Uganda’s ‘Gen-Z’ Moment?: Transnational Resistance Movements in East Africa and the Regimes Working Against Them
The upcoming election in Uganda will see 81 year old despot Yoweri Museveni face off against the strongest challenge to his rule in his 40 years as president. His opponent, pop star activist Bobi Wine, has cultivated strong support from a new generation of Ugandans frustrated with corruption and unemployment. However, this confrontation represents a wider trend across East Africa that has seen youth led movements take on economic injustices and democratic backsliding. With the growing use of mobile phones and social media, these campaigns have built transnational networks of support allowing them newfound strength against their respective governments. But many fear this new wave of resistance is leading to increased collaboration between governments in ramping up censorship and control over the region. With tensions running high, the result of this election will have seismic effects on the future of East Africa.
The Expansion of Beijing’s National Security State Into Hong Kong: Societal Implications of the National Security Law
Enacted on June 30, 2020, China’s National Security Law (NSL) arrived with speed and force. Drafted behind closed doors in Beijing, the law was implemented into Annex III of Hong Kong’s Basic Law. This law sought to criminalize collusion, secession, and subversion. Five years after its implementation, Hong Kong still feels the effects of this law through its legal, political and cultural impacts. What was once a semi-autonomous political society has now been restricted tightly by Beijing. Although China has claimed that the NSL restored stability to Hong Kong, we must question whether that stability comes at the cost of addressing other issues that threaten citizens’ livelihoods.
In A “New” Syria, al-Sharaa Promises Peace. Can He Deliver?
The fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 brought an end to nearly 14 years of devastating civil war and a half century of brutal totalitarian rule in Syria. In the wake of regime change, Syria is attempting to redefine its place on the world stage under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa. As founder of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist organization that led the rebel offensive against the Assad regime, al-Sharaa has promised the Syrian people enduring peace and stability. However, bubbling sectarian divisions, a crippled economy, and acute funding shortages may challenge al-Sharaa’s ability to deliver on his promises.
"Japan is Back": Sanae Takaichi and Balancing US-Japan Relations Amidst Rising Isolationism
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takiachi has a tough balancing act ahead of her: flatter the U.S. in order to continue receiving U.S. security guarantees while simultaneously making nice with China to keep access to a wide market open for Japanese businesses. How will she do it?
Influencers for Israel: How State use of Social Media reveals the Struggle to Win the Narrative
Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Israel has contracted U.S.-based social media influencers to produce content supporting the nation. This social media strategy reflects the increasing importance shaping the narrative plays in today’s global conflicts. But is the recruitment of content creators and the emphasis on social media merely the next logical step in diplomatic relations? Or is something more sinister at stake?
Legacies of Dictatorships: Brazil’s Latest Police Crackdown
On October 28, the Rio de Janeiro police led one of their deadliest operations yet in the Penha and Alemao favelas killing at least 120. While this is the latest in the Rio police’s recent history of police brutality, a closer inspection reveals that this pattern is a legacy from decades of military dictatorship. How has the culture and underlying consequences from the military dictatorship persisted in the form of drug crackdowns today?
Drug Boat Strikes: The Transnational Security Implications of the Trump Administration’s Crackdown on Drug Trafficking
Since September 2, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered military strikes against boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific under claims that these boats are smuggling drugs. Following his designation of multiple Latin American drug cartels as terrorist organizations, these strikes represent the Trump administration’s attempts to crack down on the illicit drug trade. This abrupt build-up in Washington’s projection of military power in its backyard poses a significant challenge to regional security. As legal experts debate the legality of these strikes, how will Latin American nations and major powers respond to the Trump administration’s attempts to frame the drug trade as a war on terrorism?
The USAID Freeze Created a Power Vacuum. Can the EU Find the Strength to Fill It?
As the Trump administration appears to walk away from America’s historical position as an international protector of human rights, foreign assistance will be reassessed as a tool of global influence. The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, has acknowledged the organization can’t fully replace the $60 billion funding gap the U.S. left behind. Yet, with over 300 million estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2025, the Commission announced plans to review the EU’s multi-billion-euro aid budget to ensure it aligns with the bloc’s “foreign policy priorities.”
Immigration, Illiberalism, and Inequality: How the EU’s Far-Right Forces Endanger Democracy
The increasing prevalence of far-right parties in the EU has led to harsh migration and immigration policies. These parties weaponize migration to destabilize Europe and fuel populist, xenophobic, and anti-immigration discourse. Their willingness to collude with nations that violate human rights and their disregard for the rule of law threatens the EU’s fundamental values.
La Paz Absoluta: The Future of the ELN in Colombia
The demobilization of the FARC in 2016 was supposed to usher in a new era of peace for Colombia. Yet, President Petro’s campaign for total peace has failed to subdue a transformed and emboldened ELN. The government is changing tactics to reassert control but it may not be enough to rescue the aspirations of 2016.
Trudeau’s Exit, a Conservative Comeback, and Canada’s Fight Against Trump’s Tariffs
With Justin Trudeau stepping down and U.S. tariffs straining Canada’s economy, the country is heading into a snap election that could redefine its political future. Former central bank governor Mark Carney leads the Liberals against Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in a divisive race, as Canadians search for a leader who can stand up to Trump.
The Paris Climate Agreement: An Uncertain Legacy Amid a Changing World
The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in 2015, marked a historic turning point in global efforts to combat climate change. Adopted by 196 parties, the accord set ambitious goals to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This commitment aimed to reduce the devastating impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. However, these promises are being tested under the second Trump administration, bringing renewed scrutiny and debate over America’s role in global climate action.
Why Can't We Read Anymore?
Reflecting on current and past methods of teaching literacy identifies several possible causes for the widespread decline in reading stamina. A closer look reveals how the devaluation of strong literacy skills affects students.
The Global Story of Ramen: Trade, War, and Industrialization
Ramen noodles were created and became popular throughout periods of war, famine, international trade, and industrialization. What can a simple dish millions around the world eat everyday tell us about the history of foreign affairs?
Greenland’s Strategic Value: How Security and Resources Have Rendered the Island a Hotspot for Geopolitical Competition
The reason behind President Trump’s aspirations lies in the strategic and economic potential of Greenland’s location and subsoil resources. As the island aims for eventual independence under Prime Minister Mute Egede and his Inuit-led government, considering alternatives to autonomy under the Kingdom of Denmark opens the door for Greenland to become a key player in geopolitical and geoeconomic rivalries.
Quelling the Sea- The Threats of Rising Sea Levels to Ecological Stability and Public Health
The vitality of transatlantic commerce between coastal communities has allowed numerous countries to trade commodities, export humanitarian aid, and create beachy standards of living that reflect the rapid development of the modern world. However, the immense weight of skyscrapers and other human creations that have accompanied this development is set to accelerate coastal flooding. The pumping of groundwater and oil, as well as coal mining, exacerbates this process, as the empty space left behind gives way to rock collapse. Chinese cities like Tianjin and Beijing, coastal urban areas in the Netherlands and Ukraine, and segments of American states like California and Florida, are now in the path of imminently rising sea levels. According to a new study, 16% of major cities in the Eastern Hemisphere are losing greater than ten millimeters of elevation per year, and half are losing more than three. These numbers may seem small, but sea levels are projected to rise nearly six feet by the end of the century.
The Legacy of Burning Sun: How K-Pop Peels Back the Realities of Gender-Based Violence in South Korea
Untangling the web of recent K-pop scandals reveals a more sinister truth about how the music industry and the culture of misogyny intersect in South Korea. The cracks of the highly-curated K-pop industry are showing, and what lay behind the mask of glamour and glitz is ugly.