In the face of nebulous politics, wavering reliability of central governments and an ever-growing need for collective action in crises, cities may present themselves as the rising stars of global politics. What is city diplomacy, and what value might it bring to a city’s inhabitants, and nations as a whole? The IAS Gazette explores the growing role of micro-powers in the international relations landscape.
The nearly two-year long pandemic has taught the world a myriad of things. From a global health perspective, one critical fact has been highlighted: the virus transcends national borders. With the world becoming increasingly globalised and interconnected, experts predict that it is only a matter of time before the next global health crisis emerges. How then, can world leaders and international stakeholders step up to the rising challenges surrounding global health to secure the health of nations?
Diplomacy is not isolated from the changes that come along with the COVID-19 pandemic. The new world order and geopolitical scene possess new threats and demand new developments, ultimately calling to question whether the world can still rely on the usual practices of diplomacy. The IAS Gazette investigates how cultural diplomacy may rise to the forefront of diplomacy and its potential to mediate the problems of today.
COVID-19 has exposed how interconnected our world has become. Even though the virus first appeared in China, it has eventually become a global pandemic. While leadership and cooperation are most needed during this time, the pandemic has further pushed them towards adopting protectionist policies. Though we have emerged out of many crises in the past, will we be able to do so again?
As COVID-19 disrupts the operations of governments and businesses, technology can be utilised to bridge these gaps. This is an opportunity for governments to strengthen and empower their digital infrastructure. But we must ensure that safeguards are in place to protect our data and privacy rights.
The pandemic has had countries scrambling for masks and trying to contain the virus. Foreign policy has turned into a key area of competition, exacerbated by globalisation. What can the world take away from the actions of superpowers in this trying time, and what will the future look like once this is over?
As the COVID-19 pandemic presses on, it is inevitable that we try to find someone to blame for this health crisis. However, when such a major crisis breaks out in our complex international system, simply pointing our finger at one party is too simple.
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated life as we know it. From innumerable fatalities to the rise of racist attacks, nationalist movements and widening inequality, the pandemic has ushered in a completely new “normal”. Interestingly, world democracy levels have also reportedly declined over the past year. Is this a coincidence? The IAS Gazette investigates possible links to unveil the hidden cracks within democratic regimes.
COVID-19 has impacted everyone in one way or another. However, one particular group proves to be vulnerable to the virus — the homeless. The pandemic has shed more light on the issue of homelessness, signalling that much more needs to be done. The IAS Gazette examines the homeless population in Singapore and in other parts of the world, to see how they have been impacted by the virus.
Jul 26: Central Henan province experiences severe flooding, France rolls out new COVID-19 health pass, US Congress’ probe into insurrection to continue
The IAS Gazette is a news site run by undergraduates from the Singapore Institute of Management’s International Affairs Society (IAS). Founded in 2018, it traces its roots to The Capital, a now defunct bimonthly magazine previously under the IAS.
