Written by Elisa Garbil – 27.01.2025 In 1948, Myanmar gained independence from the United Kingdom. It was then ruled by military regimes for five decades, where civilian dissent has been repeatedly met with violent crackdowns. In addition, the military has engaged in ongoing conflicts with ethnic minority groups fighting for self-determination. An example is the…
Dr. Leila Alieva is an Associate of Russian and East European Studies (REES) at the Oxford University School for Global and Area Studies. She also teaches a course on the Political Economy of Energy Transition at Oxford’s Department of Continued Education and is currently working with Friends of Europe. Originally from Azerbaijan, Dr. Alieva founded…
In this episode, we are joined by the acclaimed Doug Livermore, a man with extensive experience in active combat and within US intelligence services. Mr Livermore engages in an in-depth discussion regarding the evolution of the Ukraine war, the impact of increased drone warfare and the risks and solutions surrounding Russian aggression in the Baltic…
As the Middle East navigates a year marked by upheaval—Syria’s post-Assad transition and Israel’s escalated conflict with Lebanon—another critical narrative unfolds with quieter urgency. Iraq, a nation of immense geopolitical importance, approaches its 2025 elections amid complex challenges that mirror broader global threats to democracy. Iraq’s precarious experiment with democracy, its lessons for post-conflict governance,…
Dr. Abdulhaleem Mohammed is a distinguished election and legal specialist with extensive experience in advancing democratic governance and electoral integrity. Currently serving with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in Iraq, he provides technical and legal advice to the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on electoral systems, legal frameworks, and the development of…
Our guest on this week’s episode – titled ‘How Russia Capitilises on Crises’ – is Dr. Stepan Stepanenko, a distinguished expert on Eastern European affairs, international relations, and defence policy. Dr. Stepanenko currently serves as the director of Forward Strategy Ltd., a UK-based political relations and media consultancy, and as Director of Research at the…
India’s geopolitical and diplomatic strategy has always been a delicate balancing act full of international risk, and its relationship with Russia exemplifies this complexity. In recent years, this relationship has come under increased scrutiny as global tensions have risen, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This article delves into the intricacies of India’s…
As the United States approaches a critical juncture in its political landscape with the upcoming presidential election in November, businesses and investors find themselves navigating a sea of uncertainty and significant international risk. The potential implications of either a Trump or Harris presidency extend far beyond domestic policies, influencing global markets and international relations, and…
Nic Cheeseman (@fromagehomme) is Professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham, and the Director of the Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR). He was formerly the Director of the African Studies Centre at the University of Oxford. Dr Cheeseman mainly works on democracy, elections and development, including a range of topics such as election rigging, political campaigning, corruption,…
Tarek Megerisi is a senior policy fellow with the Middle East and North Africa programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations. His work mainly addresses how European policymaking towards the Maghreb and Mediterranean regions can become more strategic, harmonious, and incisive – with a long-term focus on Libya. For more than a decade, Megerisi…
