China’s Growing Economic Dominance in Africa: Implications for the Continent’s Development and Global Politics
Over the past decade, China has made major inroads into Africa, economically and diplomatically. This has led to concerns from Europe that China’s growing influence could threaten its interests in Africa. China’s economic influence in Africa is significant. In 2020, China was Africa’s largest trading partner, with trade between the two totaling $208.7 billion. China’s […]
Challenges to France’s Influence in Africa: An Examination of the Changing Landscape and Recommendations for the Future
Introduction: France has a long and complicated history in Africa, having colonized much of the continent in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Even after many countries gained their independence, France maintained close ties with its former colonies, particularly in the areas of security and defense. However, over the past few years, France’s influence in […]
According to officials, Musk seeks US finance for the Ukraine satellite network.
According to a US official, the US Defense Department has received a request from SpaceX and Tesla creator Elon Musk to take over funding for his satellite network, which has supplied critical battlefield communications for Ukrainian military forces during the war with Russia. The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a […]
Russia’s war in Ukraine affects southeast Europe
As long as the war in Ukraine lasts, the world community will be divided. As the military solution imposed by Moscow cannot be imposed or present any viable solution, the political solution at the UN level is one way. In any other case, the various regional conflicts will be reheated (including Southeast Europe), destabilizing the […]
It’s strictly business: Brussels, Moldova arms control hub and hyprocrisy
To combat organized crime, particularly the smuggling of guns from the nearby, war-torn Ukraine, the EU is establishing the EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management, an Arms Control Hub, in Moldova. “By experience from the previous war in former Yugoslavia, we still have problems with firearms being trafficked from there to the […]
Boris Johnson and the UK’s Security Legacy
Aside from the chaos and scandal that characterised Boris Jhonson’s time in power, there is a deeper legacy of his tenure as Britain’s prime minister: He severely weakened his country’s place in the world. In recent years relations between London and the Kremlin have deteriorated. Political assassinations and poisonings, Crimea, Eastern Ukraine and hybrid threats […]
Interpol’s emirati head has still not resigned
In November 2021, Ahmed Nasser al-Raisi was elected president of Interpol for a four-year term. Human rights groups have accused him of participating in torture and arbitrary detentions in the UAE. The UAE has refuted the allegations leveled against al-Raisi. Prosecutors in France’s anti-terrorism court have opened a preliminary investigation into allegations of torture and […]
NATO and Columbia
In March this year, US President Joe Biden announced his intention to designate Colombia as a major non-NATO ally. Under U.S. law, the designation of major non-NATO ally provides that foreign partner with certain benefits in the areas of defense, trade and security cooperation, according to the State Department, and is a symbol of the […]
NATO and the Baltic states
The United States and its allies’ credibility is in jeopardy nowhere more than in the Baltic Sea region. Article 5 of NATO’s charter commits the alliance to defend its members. The Russian attack on Eastern Europe is not limited to Ukraine but is causing a rift in Poland, Moldova the Baltic states and Scandinavia. If […]
Will Sweden and Finland join NATO?
Putin’s ruthless drive to keep Ukraine out of NATO has, inadvertently, increased the military alliance’s popularity among other potential members. According to up-to-date opinion polls, Finland and Sweden are reconsidering their long-held neutrality, with a majority of voters now preferring membership in the 30-member alliance. The conflict in Ukraine has fundamentally reshuffled the deck. In terms […]