Global Affairs

Editorial 2024

The International Order since 1945 is under strain.  On one side, COVID-19 has been the black swan that took leaders and IOs unprepared to deal with a global pandemic. Self-interest and lack of collective action prevailed worldwide during the vaccine inoculation era and exhibited the world’s inequality as the primary driver of vaccine campaigns. Once the worst of the pandemic came to a close, war broke out in Ukraine after the unlawful invasion of Russia into Ukraine’s lands, violating International Law. And today, the conflict in Gaza involving Palestinians and Israelis over historical grievances and land is not only putting the chances for a peaceful conviviality and a two-state solution at risk of irreparable harm but also putting Israelis worldwide at grave risk of deadly attacks.

EDITORIAL 2016 

Political scientist Ian Bremmer was convinced Brexit would harm England's economy and threaten the EU's survival. What began as a good strategy by the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, to break an advantageous deal to remain in the bloc provided the basis for a polarized debate on whether or not to break ties with Europe.

What Cameron had achieved in the negotiations to remain - less money spent on migrants and economic privileges to protect the City - soon gave way to a heated controversy on the issue of whether to stay or leave the EU.  Polarization grew between those who believed the UK should return to its exceptionally isolationist mindset and those who believed such a move would be disastrous for the economy. Brexit put England at a crossroads. On one side, those who believed the UK would be better off outside the EU with a strong anti-immigration sentiment.  And on the other, the  FTSE 100's major companies that needed reassurances that a break would not imply a BIT to be signed independently with every EU nation after the "divorce". 

Brexit has become a straining test for politics and politicians in the UK on how they will minimize the impact of such a break from the European Union.  Implications seem harsher than anticipated.

For more information, visit "Here, There and Everywhere" by Ian Bremmer and from Oxan,  "Brexit Battle