Blog
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Malaysian Chairmanship, China and Myanmar: New Leadership Amid Bellicose Politics
2025 began during a time of turmoil. From the U.S. presidential election to the war in Ukraine and the conflicts in Israel, the new year brings about a time of conflict and international disruption. Alongside these tensions, as has been seen for some time, the civil war in Myanmar has caused much disruption in the Indochinese region. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2021, the Myanmar civil war has been overshadowed by the more recent wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Even while somewhat overshadowed by other conflicts, this destructive war has led to countless deaths and large swathes of destruction both within and without the nation of…
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Russia’s Motivations for Vetoing UN Security Council Resolution for the Sudan Crisis
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached a catastrophic level, demanding that global organizations and international entities intervene to provide emergency relief. Therefore, the question at issue is why Russia vetoed the UN Security Council Resolution on protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid to Sudan. In April 2023, a civil war began between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan. The two armed factions were allies who overthrew a civilian reform government in 2021. However, the current conflict is a power struggle between the RSF and the SAF, as each faction’s leaders believe they are the country’s rightful leaders. The conflict has led…
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Telegraphing Crime: A New Era of Social Media Liability
In an era where people are constantly tweeting or posting on Facebook, it is no wonder that social media has become a new medium for folks to express their views and opinions. From shopping recommendations to viral TikTok dances, social media has taken the world by storm and allowed people to communicate on a level that has never been seen before. This technological revolution has started to change the way the court has viewed free speech as well. For example, there is a major debate today about whether social media owners, such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerburg, should be held accountable for the things posted on their sites by…
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High Risk, High Reward?: Turkey is Taking Charge of International Medical Tourism
Medical tourism is nothing new, but as of recently, an increasing number of people have been traveling abroad to receive medical services. Medical tourism includes individuals traveling to foreign countries to receive a type of medical procedure, with the most common procedures being cosmetic surgeries, dental care, fertility treatments, and elective organ transplants. Many of these individuals seek procedures and medical treatment abroad due to lower costs or an inability to access certain procedures in their native countries. For instance, cost-sensitive and market-driven procedures, such as elective transplants and cosmetic surgeries can be 50% lower in developing countries, making it an attractive option to go abroad for many individuals. Most…
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The Eras Tour is Ending, But the Issue is Not Going Anywhere
Gone are the days of standing outside a box office in the freezing cold or blazing heat to buy tickets to see your favorite artist. Now, tickets are bought primarily online, and while it may be more convenient, this system brings a new set of problems. With the introduction of the global sensation, The Eras Tour, Taylor Swift inadvertently started a conversation in the United States about ticket prices and resellers. The issue arose when Swift’s fans, otherwise known as “Swifties,” were unable to purchase tickets during the Verified Pre-Sale and now are unable to afford tickets because of ticket resellers. The underlying issue is that ticket resellers, buy tickets…
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Global Economic Consequences of the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
With the United States being the leading economic power that it is, the outcome of the presidential election affects not only the U.S. economy, but the global economy as well. The U.S. makes up more than 20% of the world’s total income, has the largest national economy, and is one of the lead global traders. The president’s role in implementing tax plans and tariffs therefore matters significant not only to Americans, but the rest of the world as well. The 2024 presidential election leaves the world with two potential economic outcomes: a reversion to Trump’s 2016-2020 economy or a similar and slightly improved economy from Biden’s presidency now under Kamala…
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Navigating the Global Fight Against Money Laundering in International Commerce
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images Money laundering involves transforming illegally obtained capital resources into legal financial mechanisms. With the expansion of international commerce brought on by globalization, this issue has developed into a global problem of immense scale, affecting nearly every jurisdiction and financial system. It destabilizes economic systems and aids in the expansion of illegal activities. It demands immediate attention and action. Money laundering is estimated to total 2% to 5% of global GDP, accounting for trillions of dollars annually. The range of money laundering methods, from traditional ones like smuggling cash, to more sophisticated cases involving shell companies and cryptocurrencies, makes enforcement difficult. The complex character of international…
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U.S. Failure to Protect Immigrant Children from Labor Exploitation
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock With the upcoming presidential election in the United States, immigration has predictably resurfaced as a hot-button topic in the country. As always, much of the conversation revolves around the southern border and what is or isn’t being done to curtail entry. However, over the last year, another issue entered the immigration discussion, the use of immigrant child labor in factories across the United States. This topic garnished much attention with a series of New York Times articles reporting that many immigrant children were found to be working in hazardous conditions that violate U.S. child labor laws and undermine the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of…
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Beyond Interest: How Islamic Banking is Reshaping Finance
Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock Brief Introduction of Islamic BankingWith Muslims comprising 1.8 billion of the global population, there is a growing demand for products and institutions that align with Islamic law. One such institution is Islamic banking, which is built on the core principles of Sharia (Islamic law) to shape its financial systems. The cornerstone of Islamic banking is prohibiting interest or any monetary increase on the principal amount. Other principles that Islamic financial institutions must follow include avoiding uncertainty, speculative transactions, and trading in impermissible products such as alcohol. Islamic banking aims to satisfy the economic needs of Muslims and cater to other segments of global financial markets, all…
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Tech Revolution: The Evolution of Global Industry Arbitration
This blog post shall act as a brief survey of the ever-increasing role of technology as used in arbitration for international business disputes. In today’s interconnected world, where businesses operate across oceans and industries span continents, disputes are inevitable. As global trade grows, so does the need for efficient and effective dispute resolution mechanisms. From as early as the Jay Treaty of 1794—allowing compensation to the new republic for depredations against American shipping during the Revolutionary War—arbitration has been a preferred method of solving international commercial disagreements. Arbitration offers parties a neutral and flexible forum to settle disputes, and the digital age has revolutionized the way arbitration is conducted. To…