Author: Caleb Loughrin

One Year Since Its Coup, What Has Changed In Myanmar?

Yesterday marks one year since the military takeover in Myanmar. Things looked promising for the fledgling democracy in the years leading up to the coup; in 2015, the National League for Democracy (N.L.D.) established Myanmar’s first civilian government after 50 years of military rule. In November 2020, Aung San Suu

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Putin Wants Guarantees From NATO As Russo-Ukrainian Tensions Escalate

Russian President Vladimir Putin sharply criticized Western forces on Thursday for the escalating military tensions along the Ukrainian border. During his year-end news conference, Putin stressed that Russia wants to avoid conflict with Ukraine, but that the onus is on the West to provide security guarantees that it will not

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Afghan Banking System At Risk Of Collapse

On Monday, the United Nations (U.N.) called for immediate action to prop up Afghanistan’s banking system as it sits on the brink of collapse. In a three-page report issued earlier this week, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) warned that rising credit defaults and a worsening liquidity shortage threaten to topple

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Sixth Time’s The Charm For Venezuela Negotiations?

Last weekend marked the sixth and latest round of negotiations between Venezuela’s government and its opposition. The two actors are working to move the country past its dictatorial rule and out of its protracted humanitarian crisis. For over two years, opposition leader Juan Guaidó has sparred with Venezuela’s incumbent president,

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Deaths Rise And Supplies Dwindle Amid Rioting In South Africa

In South Africa, the death toll has exceeded 200 as rioters and looters continue to wreak havoc. Tensions peaked earlier this month after former President Jacob Zuma was arrested for refusing to appear before a judicial inquiry into corruption charges brought against him. Violence erupted when, on July 7th, Zuma

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The Straight And Narrow Path To Peace In Venezuela

Venezuela is in the throes of one of the worst humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere. The numbers continue to set records: an exodus of 5.6 million people since 2015 marks the largest migration crisis in Latin America’s recent history, and an economic contraction of 80% since 2012 marks the

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Biden Says ‘America Is Back’⁠—But Where Are The Ambassadors?

United States ambassadors were conspicuously absent from the tarmac when President Joe Biden touched down in three different countries during his European tour last month. During his first trip abroad as president, he met with foreign leaders flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security advisor Jake Sullivan,

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A Nation Abandoned: Afghanistan Sees NATO Troops Withdraw As Taliban Encroaches

European officials arrived at last week’s NATO summit anxious to hear from President Biden, who announced in April that the United States would withdraw all troops from Afghanistan unconditionally by September 11th. Prior to the summit, several officials expressed their frustration with Biden’s failure to properly consult NATO allies before the

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Northern Ireland Caught In Crosshairs Of Latest Brexit Battle

Brussels is losing patience with London over Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, said European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic after meeting with his British counterpart Lord David Frost on Wednesday, 10 June. A key part of the Brexit deal that took effect in January requires inspections for various goods coming

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Russia Raises Concerns Over U.S. Compliance With Nuclear Treaty

Just three and a half months after the United States and Russia agreed to extend a bilateral treaty limiting their nuclear arsenals, Moscow has voiced concerns over Washington’s compliance. On Monday, May 24th, Russia’s foreign ministry claimed that the number of U.S. launchers and bombers exceeded the limit outlined by

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At Last: A Chance At Improved Relations Between Greece And Turkey?

Greece and Turkey have endured a turbulent relationship for centuries. Since Greece won its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830, the two countries have opposed each other in four major wars. They came close to entering their fifth just last summer during a naval standoff in disputed Mediterranean waters.

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Rocket Strike On Iraqi Base Marks Latest Attack On U.S. Interests

At least three rockets were fired last Monday towards the Iraqi military airbase in Balad, just north of Baghdad, Iraqi security officials told the AFP news agency. The base houses American company Sallyport, which maintains F-16 Iraqi aircraft purchased from the U.S. There were no casualties, the Pentagon said in

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