Scott Hancox, Staff Member Venezuela is currently suffering from a serious economic crisis and humanitarian emergency so dire that it is now being referred to as “the world’s worst economy.”[1] Despite this, there has been confusion regarding the underlying causes of the crisis, exacerbated by Venezuela’s borders which have long appeared opaque to Western sources.…
Continue ReadingWei Cui, Staff Member The U.S. and China are locked in an escalating trade battle in recent years. Before taking office in 2016, U.S. president Donald Trump has complained about China’s trading practices. [1] In 2017, the U.S. launched an investigation into Chinese trade policies.[2] Last year, the U.S. imposed tariffs on $ 250 billions…
Continue ReadingJohn Robinson, Staff Member On January 10, 2018, the United States Bureau of Consular Affairs implemented a new system for issuing travel advisories and travel alerts.[1] The new scheme replaces a system that has been in place for nearly forty years.[2] The Department of State began issuing travel information in the form of notices, bulletins,…
Continue ReadingFatjon Kaja, Staff Member This past week Albania and Greece announced that they have decided to reboot their diplomatic relations.[1] At this rate, even Sisyphus might pity them, as the two countries have not been able to agree about almost anything that they fundamentally disagree.[2] So a reboot was necessary, just as necessary as the…
Continue ReadingBy Lara Williams, Staff Member Following an emergency cabinet meeting last week, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy detailed plans to apply Article 155 of the Spanish Constitution in Catalonia, escalating the country’s most serious constitutional crisis since the restoration of democracy in 1977.[1] The article, that has never before been used, enables the central government…
Continue ReadingBy Tim Peel, Articles Editor Following an allegedly deadly chemical weapon attack in the Syrian rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun that killed 80 and injured hundreds more last week,[1] The U.S. and U.K. had planned to push for additional punitive sanctions against Russia at a G7 meeting this week.[2] While there is no evidence of…
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