22 May 2023 /Conflict and War/ –Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, began a tour of African countries this week in an effort to challenge Russian influence in the “Global South.” Kuleba met with foreign ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Morocco to discuss the war in Ukraine and to seek their support for Ukraine’s position. Continue reading
May 16, 2023 /Technology/ — Geopolitical conflicts are escalating around the world, and there are a number of areas that are experiencing these issues. Some of the most conflict-ridden regions include the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Continue reading
Matt Weaver, University of Portsmouth
In 1956, seven European countries – Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and West Germany – gathered in Lugano, Switzerland for the first ever Eurovision Song Contest. The competition was only broadcast in select countries, meaning only a small number of viewers watched Swiss entry Lys Assia win the grand prize with the song Refrain.
The number 19 is significant in the Vietnam War and the Ukraine conscription because it is the age at which many young men were conscripted to fight in those wars. In the Vietnam War, the draft age was 18 to 26, but many young men were drafted at the age of 19. In the Ukraine conscription, the draft age is 18 to 60, but many young men are being conscripted at the age of 19. Continue reading
New York, May 1, 2023 – The U.S. banking crisis that began in March 2023 was the result of a number of factors, including:
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank: Silicon Valley Bank was a large regional bank that specialized in lending to technology companies. The bank’s collapse in March 2023 was a major blow to the banking industry and shook confidence in the financial system.
Horizon Capital, a U.S. private-equity firm investing primarily in fast-growing tech and export-oriented companies in Ukraine, announced that its latest fund, Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV (HCGF IV, the “Fund”) has reached $254 million at its Interim Closing held today in Kyiv, Ukraine. In besting its $250m target size at this second closing, the Fund demonstrates strong investor appetite for compelling opportunities in high-growth, high-impact tech and export-oriented companies, including light manufacturing, food processing, innovative consumer goods, fintech and more. Fund investments are expected to contribute to Ukraine’s ongoing resilience, including supporting growth and job creation, expanding the tax base, increasing availability of capital for SMEs, and promoting gender equality. Continue reading
Paul Jackson, University of Birmingham
A three-day ceasefire to mark the Islamic festival of Eid-al-Fitr in Khartoum appears to be dead in the water as fighting continues in the Sudanese capital. According to the World Health Organization, more than 330 people have been killed over the past week. Now, with reports emerging that arms are being sent from Egypt and Libya, there are growing fears the situation could develop into a civil war that could draw in regional powers.
April 18, 2023 /World/ — The Ukraine war has divided the world in many ways. Some countries have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and have imposed sanctions on Russia. Others have been more hesitant to take action, fearing that it could escalate the conflict.
The war has also divided the world on a ideological level. Some countries see the war as a battle between democracy and authoritarianism. Others see it as a proxy war between the United States and Russia. Continue reading
Jose Caballero, International Institute for Management Development (IMD)
After over a year of the Ukraine war, efforts at building a global consensus against Russia seem to have stalled, with many countries opting for neutrality.
The number of countries condemning Russia has declined, according to some sources. Botswana has edged towards Russia from its original pro-Ukraine stance, South Africa is moving from neutral to Russia-leaning and Colombia from condemning Russia to a neutral stance. At the same time, a large number of countries have been reluctant to support Ukraine.
Jennifer Mathers, Aberystwyth University and Anna Kvit, UCL
Thousands of women have voluntarily joined Ukraine’s armed forces since 2014, when Russia’s occupation of Crimea and territories in eastern Ukraine began. Over the past nine years, the number of women serving in the Ukrainian military has more than doubled, with another wave of women joining after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.