WORLD

In late July 2025, the long-dormant border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia exploded into open warfare after a land-mine blast near the sacred Hindu temple of Ta Muen left Thai soldiers wounded. The ensuing artillery exchanges marked the gravest fighting between the neighbours in years.

As debates over human rights, sovereignty and global accountability intensify, the United States’ decision to skip its own UN review raises unsettling questions: who gets to define human rights norms, and what happens when the system’s most powerful actors refuse to participate?

The United States and China have agreed to suspend a series of trade investigations and tariffs, signalling a fragile thaw in relations after years of escalating economic tension. The move follows high-level talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, which marked their first face-to-face meeting in six years. 

Despite sweeping sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian oil exports continue to undermine Western efforts at economic pressure.

As global crises blur the lines between economics and security, the P5’s gridlock meets the G7’s growing influence, raising questions about who truly leads the world order.

In early October 2025, the Czech electorate followed the European slide to the far right. Andrej Babis – once again – has positioned himself at the heart of Czech politics through his party ANO (Yes) movement, securing roughly a third of the vote and a coalition with parties further to his right. 

Following Russian air security threats in Denmark and other parts of Europe, the idea of investing in a ‘Drone Wall’ as a modernized line of defense seems promising. However, the answer to what exactly a ‘Drone Wall’ entails—its cost, benefits and intricacies—remains vague.The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has prompted leaders in the European Union to doubt the efficiency of their airspace defense systems. Recently, many countries in northeastern Europe, such as Romania, Poland and Norway, have reported airspace incursions. These are likely Russian drones and jets, however Russia denies these claims. 

In a historic judgement on Oct. 6, the International Criminal Court (ICC) found Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman—better known as Ali Kushayb—guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the brutal campaign in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. 

The Liberal Party (in red) is threatening to pull off a historic comeback for Canada’s April 28 snap election.

During the meeting between Trump, Zelensky, and Vance, a White House staffer maliciously asked the Ukrainian President why he wasn't wearing a suit. A discussion about the White House’s dress code soon followed. This controversy presents an opportunity to explore the intersection of fashion and politics. And, as it turns out, a politician’s style is not to be underestimated, for it is surprisingly revealing of who they are and what they stand for.

Between President Trump’s threats to withdraw the U.S. from NATO, a failed ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, and rising chatter about a potential UN-led interim government in Ukraine, peace for Ukrainians and Russians still feels like a distant dream.

Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s 24th prime minister on March 14 after winning 86 percent of the vote in the Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership race. His victory follows outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation and comes as Canada faces a turbulent political climate, with an upcoming federal election and renewed tensions with Washington over President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting Canada should become the United States’ 51st state.

As South Korea awaits the imminent ruling from the Constitutional Court on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the nation is still grappling with the aftermath of his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. 

Germany went to the polls on Feb. 23 to elect 630 deputies in the Bundestag (German Parliament). While Friedrich Merz’s center-right Christian Democratic and Christian Social Unions (CDU/CSU) won the largest share of the vote, securing 28.5 percent of voters’ ballots, the second-place hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) took the spotlight, winning nearly 21 percent of the vote in its best national finish in the party’s history. 

On Monday, Feb. 3, several European leaders including representatives from the 27 member nations of the European Union (EU) met in Brussels to discuss defense. This was the “first ever meeting of European leaders dedicated exclusively to defense,” and it provides key insights on the EU’s security posture and policy under the new Trump Administration.

For the first time in over a year, the guns in Gaza have fallen silent—but for how long?

As the world's largest democracy, India represents a diverse array of voices and perspectives, recently emerging as the champion of the Global South and a staunch arbiter for peace in an unstable world. Despite its growing influence, a murky understanding of India’s ambitions persists, with few university courses dedicated to studying India and its foreign policy

The BRICS coalition aims to create a counterweight to US and Western influence in the global order and institutions, with Thailand and Indonesia officially joining the forum in January 2025.

In a reversal of previous policy, President Joe Biden has authorized Ukraine to use long-range US-made missiles on Russian soil as North Korean troops support the Russian war effort. After a surprise summer counteroffensive that saw Ukraine occupy parts of the Kursk Oblast, Russia has dedicated a significant amount of resources to retaking the region

On Nov. 5, former president Donald Trump emerged victorious from the hard-fought election of 2024. While the extent of Trump’s victory was certainly a surprise to many Americans, sweeping all of the 7 swing states, the win has been a greater shock for the rest of the world necessitating adaptation to the new administration — especially with regard to the overhaul Trump seeks of the status quo of America’s foreign relations and alliances.

During the last week of October, much of the talk was about the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia. Now seen as a growing force that seeks to challenge Western economic and political dominance, many wondered what the newly expanded conference, which took place between Oct. 22-24, would pull out of the hat in this much-anticipated meeting. 

“Humanity must never again inflict nor suffer the sacrifice and torture we have experienced.” These impassioned words were spoken in 1956 by Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese organization awarded with 2024’s Nobel Peace Prize.

The EU has officially decided to increase tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles to as much as 45.3% after a controversial investigation that split Europe and prompted Chinese retaliation.

On Oct. 5, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters in Washington, D.C. gathered around the White House on the International Day of Palestinian Solidarity. Washington was one of the many cities worldwide where protesters marched demanding an end to Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which has killed over 42,000 Palestinians according to the United Nations.

In late September, the Biden administration proposed a change to a rule that affects much of America’s imports from China. Although this is a fine policy on paper, it is flying under the radar. Did electoral politics make the Biden administration—like that of Trump—water down some ambitions and amplify others?

“Ukraine today is Asia tomorrow,” asserts Japan’s new Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Ishiba recently emphasized his support and proposal for the idea of an Asian NATO to ensure collective security in the region.

Roughly 7,000 judges in Mexico will now all be elected, rather than appointed, removing current judicial workers from their positions. In addition to the introduction of “faceless judges” – judges whose anonymity is preserved in certain criminal cases for their protection – and a judicial disciplinary tribunal, the popular election is one of many controversial reforms recently proposed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico.

To most Americans, the Quad is a blur. A country that is a part of and the instigator of more alliances and strategic organizations than one can count, the United States often appears to pay little more than a quick glance outside of NATO and the G7. 

Beirut and other parts of Lebanon were thrown into chaos two weeks ago when pagers and other wireless devices used by the Shia militant group Hezbollah exploded, killing 32 and injuring several thousand.

Media headlines describe Iran’s missile attack on Israel as “unprecedented,” ending decades of “shadow wars” between the two nations. Yet, after Israel’s most recent retaliatory strike, it is clear these direct missile attacks are not a precursor to a conventional war, but rather a continuation of shadow war, centered on sending a message rather than inflicting physical damage.

— Alessia Coluccio