Author: Spencer A. Wong

Washington Decides To End Sanctions Waivers For Iranian Oil

Recently, the Trump administration has decided to end sanction waivers for countries buying Iranian oil. In an effort to put increasing pressure on the Iranian government, this decision will likely impact not only the Iranian economy, but global oil markets. Effective May 2, Washington’s decision will impact a wide range

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The Catalan Independence Movement Begins Its Next Chapter

On 16 March, thousands of supporters of Catalan independence marched through the Spanish capital, Madrid, to protest the ongoing trial of 12 separatist leaders. Demonstrators, many from Catalonia, peacefully marched through Madrid, carrying signs with messages such as “self-determination is not a crime.” They also called for a new vote

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Incidents Of Anti-Semitism Mar The Gilets Jaunes Movement

On 16 February, a video emerged in which some gilets jaunes protestors were shown hurling abuse and anti-Semitic insults against prominent French Jewish philosopher and intellectual Alain Finkielkraut.  Among the words heard were, “dirty Zionist,” “We are the people,” “France is ours,” and “Go back to Tel Aviv.”  The son

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US-China Tensions Heighten As US Charges Huawei With Fraud And Theft

On 28 January, the United States Department of Justice charged Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei with fraud and theft, further escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. Huawei was charged for having violated sanctions against Iran by selling equipment and for having stolen trade secrets and US technologies, particularly from American telecommunications

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As Talks Between Washington And Pyongyang Stall, Fears Over The Breakdown Of North Korea’s Denuclearization Process Rise

This past week, North Korean official Kim Yong-chol abruptly cancelled a planned meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for this Thursday.  As both countries seek to reconcile their differences and pursue détente, the latest developments in the bilateral relationship pose deep challenges for maintaining peace and stability on

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NATO War Games: A Ratcheting Up Of Tensions?

From October 25 to November 7, NATO forces will take part in what its Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg calls, “NATO’s biggest exercise since the end of the Cold War.”  50,000 soldiers from 31 countries, 250 aircraft, 65 naval vessels, and 10,000 military vehicles will take part in the military exercises, taking

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Death of Afghan Police Chief Pushes Afghanistan Into Further Crisis

The death of the high-ranking and powerful police chief and intelligence head of Kandahar Province, Abdul Raziq, has thrown the South Asian nation yet further into chaos and uncertainty. The incident occurred on October 18, as the Afghan police chief was meeting with the U.S. Forces and NATO Resolute Support

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A World Of Fake News? The Fourth Estate In The Era of Social Media

During both the campaign and aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election the idea of “fake news” received significant coverage.  Repeated constantly by then-Presidential candidate Donald Trump, “fake news” has since become a source of debate in American society. While  President Trump has weaponised this concept to rail against the

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In Fight For Idlib, Fear Rises For Civilians Caught In The Crossfire

In what is seen as the final showdown between President Bashar al-Assad and his allies’ forces, and anti-government fighters and terrorist groups, the stakes could not be higher. With key cities and towns, such as Deir ez-Zor, Ghouta, and Deraa retaken by regime forces, there are few remaining pockets of

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