The IAS Gazette

August 15: Once-fallen Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong is set to be pardoned, the South Korean Justice Ministry announced on Friday (Aug 12), Endorsing Finland and Sweden’s bid to join NATO, US President Joe Biden signed documents signed an “instrument of ratification” on Tuesday (Aug 9), US Department of Homeland Security scraps “Remain in Mexico” policy after Supreme Court ruling last Monday (Aug 8).

August 8: The United States prepared its largest security package for Ukraine, expected to be valued at US$1 billion and finalised on Monday (Aug 8), China conducted military exercises and placed sanctions on US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday (Aug 5) due to displeasure with her visit to Taiwan, At least 44 people, including 15 children were killed over a three-day bombardment on the Gaza Strip which began on Friday (Aug 5).

These days, it’s easy to feel lost in the unpredictability of global politics. Moreover, modern politics in Western democracies seem to no longer adhere to textbook ideas of political organisation. What’s behind political ideologies in recent years? What fuels the increasing divide between Left and Right? The IAS Gazette investigates how governments can address extreme polarisation and find their political centre of gravity once again.

August 1: Venezuela and Colombia jointly declares re-establishment of diplomatic ties, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy calls for more sanctions on Russia amidst their bid to cut gas supplies, Iran announces it has new ideas on restoring 2015 nuclear deal

Prices of pretty much everything are rising, and it does not look like it will stop anytime soon. From global shortages to the very possible threat of a global recession, the economic outlook is all doom and gloom. Coupled with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and lockdowns in China, the global supply chain crisis looks like it is just getting comfortable. Claire from the IAS Gazette dives into the ongoing crisis.

July 25: China vowed on Tuesday (July 19) to respond if US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan, The European Central Bank hikes rates for the first time in 11 years last Tuesday (July 19), Sri Lanka Establishment PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has been elected by parliament to serve as interim president last Wednesday (July 20).

With the influx of information on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it may seem overwhelming for some to grasp how such a situation that abruptly dominated our news and social media feeds unfolded to become one of Europe’s largest wars in recent times. We highlight the tangled history and the complex relationship between the two nations and reveal its part in setting the stage for the ongoing crisis.

July 18: The United States and Saudi Arabia affirmed their commitment to the stabilisation of the global energy market, following President Biden’s high-profile meeting with Saudi officials on Friday (July 15), Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country on Wednesday (July 13) and subsequently resigned following a series of protests calling for his and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s resignations, Israeli warplanes launched missiles on the Gaza Strip on Saturday (July 16), a day after US President Biden concluded his visit to Israel and Palestine.

July 11: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last Thursday (July 7) that he would step down from his position after losing support from fellow ministers and lawmakers, Seven people were killed and dozens more were injured after a gunman opened fire on a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, on Monday (July 4), Japan’s former and longest-serving Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was pronounced dead last Friday (July 8) after being shot while delivering an election campaign speech in the southern Japanese city of Nara.

What good may more surveillance do? Is data useful? The lack of privacy and build-up of the planetary epidermis could be a worthwhile trade-off to stave off an existential threat—the climate crisis.