While it ranks tenth in the world for proven oil reserves, Nigeria has unfortunately remained one of the most poverty-stricken nations in Africa. While many Gulf states with small populations have benefited economically from oil production, African states with larger populations have not been as fortunate. Nigeria is one such
Concerns over human rights abuses, torture, and the deprivation of civil liberties in Venezuela were addressed last month in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) 2020 Report on Preliminary Examination Activities. The preliminary report will determine whether or not a full ICC investigation into human rights abuses in Venezuela will proceed, with
The recent normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing geopolitical conflict between Israel and the Arab world. The decision has been met with both praise and criticism. Whether this normalization deal is enough to stabilize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – as
While the Arab Spring was lauded internationally as an opportunity for Middle Eastern and North African nations to root out oppressive governments and foster hope for legitimate government, the reality in many of these nations is quite different some eight years later. This is particularly pertinent in Libya, which after
Events in Hong Kong are at a tipping point. As recently as 12 August, Chinese People’s Armed Police Force vessels were spotted in the border city of Shenzhen. International attention on the protests in Hong Kong has been widespread over the past ten weeks; however, this new development suggests that
Hopes of a transition to civilian rule in Sudan were revitalized earlier this month with a new power sharing agreement finalized between the Transitional Military Council and Sudan’s Forces of Freedom and Change. The power sharing agreement is the result of an ongoing dispute between transitional military council figures and
A refreshed move to instil more pressure on the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro came on the 22nd July when the Lima Group—a group of a dozen Latin America countries along with Canada—called for fresh elections. With roughly 30 million people in need of aid, food, and water, the country is
Starvation, hyperinflation, disease and crime are just some of the problems Venezuelans face in the wake of the country’s worst crisis in its 208 year history. Likened to the economic devastation of war-torn Bosnia, the IMF estimates that the country will reach 44.3% unemployment by the end of 2019. With
The remote highlands regions of Papua New Guinea have recently been the subject of international attention in the wake of a brutal massacre. The remote village of Karida saw an outbreak of tribal violence earlier this month in an ongoing conflict in some of the country’s most remote provinces. While
In December 2018 Sudanese citizens protested austerity measures imposed by President Omar Al-Bashir designed to prevent financial collapse. This included a cut to bread and fuel subsidies – enough to spark a mass protest in the nation’s capital, Khartoum. This mass demonstration evolved into calls for Bashir’s total removal along
Events in Ukraine are the culmination of five years of political instability, due to divided allegiances between Russia and the European Union. As a former satellite state of the USSR, Ukraine was one of a small number of countries that did not implement the glasnost policies of the Gorbachev leadership
The relationship between Iran and the United States has been the subject of international focus since 2017 when the U.S. decided to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. However, the U.S. withdrawal ought to be put in the context of
With a population of around five million, Eritrea has approximately nine recognized ethnic groups and speaks a variety of different languages. While home to diverse groups and languages, the state itself remains one of the most repressive and authoritarian one-party states – often compared to North Korea. In September of 2018
North Koreans live under the authoritarian rule of the Kim dynasty and face high levels of poverty, poor living conditions and high levels of government persecution. If caught escaping the regime, they face the certainty of incarceration and in most cases death. In the last three decades alone, particularly in
Yemenis, already facing tough economic conditions in the wake of political turmoil have been turning to organ trafficking as a means of economic necessity as revealed in an Al Jazeera investigation. Officials in Yemen’s embassy in Cairo have been involved in organ trafficking rings between the two countries which started
