Foreign Policy Blogs

International

The United Nations’ Struggles in Syria

The United Nations’ Struggles in Syria

On June 9, the U.N. was finally able to get food to residents of Daraya, a small Damascus suburb, for the first time in almost four years.

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Universal Value of Ramadan Ethics

Universal Value of Ramadan Ethics

Contrary to what ISIS, al-Shabaab, Boko Haram might preach, the core values of Islam enhanced in Ramadan are meant to be universal.

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The UN Post-2015: Great Decisions Spring Updates

The UN Post-2015: Great Decisions Spring Updates

With Ban Ki-Moon’s term as the United Nations Secretary-General ending this year, many candidates have been put forward to replace him.

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Iran-U.S. Confrontation in the Persian Gulf: An International Law Perspective

Iran-U.S. Confrontation in the Persian Gulf: An International Law Perspective

On January 12, 2016, 10 U.S. sailors were detained by Iran’s Navy and later released. Can Iran’s behavior in its territorial waters be considered justifiable or in accordance with international law?

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The Five Oil Exporters Most Affected by Currency Devaluation

The Five Oil Exporters Most Affected by Currency Devaluation

Devaluation is the word of the day in oil exporting countries. Whether it is the Nigerian naira, the Venezuelan bolívar, or the Russian rouble, low oil prices are wreaking havoc in oil exporting economies and on their national currencies.

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Finding the next UN Secretary-General

Finding the next UN Secretary-General

With current Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon term ending this year, the search for his replacement has begun. Here are the four current nominees with the best credentials and most support.

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Somalia: Change Coming?

Somalia: Change Coming?

Since Somalia’s independence in 1960, its relationship with the U.S. has been on a roller coaster that travels up and down dangerous steeps and performs sudden inversions that turn everything upside down.

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Greece’s Forgotten Recovery

Greece’s Forgotten Recovery

After negotiations between the Greek government and the Troika finally came to an end last August, the gaze of the world drifted away from Athens.

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Jakarta in Hunt for an Estimated 1,000 Islamic State Supporters

Jakarta in Hunt for an Estimated 1,000 Islamic State Supporters

One country on the forefront of the battle against the Islamic State is Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, which has over the past year successfully crushed militant cells.

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The Legality of Refusing to Assist Oppressed Groups

The Legality of Refusing to Assist Oppressed Groups

With atrocities taking place in Iraq and Syria, the international community must stop the oppression against certain groups. Indeed, the lesson of Rwanda has been almost entirely ignored in 2015.

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For Britain the Road to China Runs Through Europe

For Britain the Road to China Runs Through Europe

By choosing the European route instead of the bilateral one to negotiate its trading relationship with Beijing the UK maximizes its leverage with both its European partners and China, which is useful for a medium-sized ex-colonial power.

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Vietnam’s Military Build-up

Vietnam’s Military Build-up

In the face of perceived threats from Beijing, Vietnam has embarked on its greatest military build-up in decades, albeit starting from a low base following economic problems after the Vietnam War.

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COP21 Conference in Paris

COP21 Conference in Paris

As the 21st Conference of Parties begins this week in Paris, for the first time in years, the prospect for serious, substantive international progress on climate issues is not bleak.

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Manila Wins its Day in Court: Will Other Nations Follow?

Manila Wins its Day in Court: Will Other Nations Follow?

Should Beijing refuse to honor a potential ruling against their claims of sovereignty, we can expect China to again attempt to assert its economic muscle to persuade other regional nations to settle the disputes bilaterally.

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A Few Thoughts on Israel at the UN

A Few Thoughts on Israel at the UN

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu recently spoke at the UN General Assembly meeting on behalf of the Jewish state.

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