Blog
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Back to the Future: US Going Green
Written by: Associate Editor, Gabriella Verdone In one of his first acts as president, Joe Biden signed an executive order issuing the United States’ return to the Paris Climate Agreement. In 2017, former President Trump announced that the United States would be pulling out of the global coalition to combat climate change. President Trump’s decision for withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement stemmed from protecting the United States’ economic interest, as he believed the agreement unfairly burdened American companies. Trump argued that other countries who are among the world’s leaders in carbon emission, had fewer requirements under the agreement; this financially put the United States at a disadvantage. The Paris…
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“Democracy” on Display: World Leaders Respond
Written by: Esther Kim, Associate Editor The events of January 6, 2021 have raised multiple and concerning inquiries into what constitutes American democracy. The storming of the Capitol shocked individuals domestically, as well as abroad and in response, world leaders have not been shy in voicing their reactions in observance of the transpired upheaval. Internationally, politicians expressed their shared condemnations, and they called for the seemingly past ideal of what was once considered to be a peaceful transition of power. Many leaders described the events as an “attack on democracy,” and a “horrifying” and “disgraceful scene.” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson posted on his Twitter, “The United States stands for…
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Millions of Indian Farmers Protest Anti-Labor Legislation: Indication of the Need for a Stronger International Labor Organization.
Written by: Matthew McCartin, Associate Editor For nearly forty days, Indian farmers and workers have taken to the streets of India to protest new agricultural legislation passed by the Indian government that would deregulate Indian agriculture and encourage farmers to sell their crops directly to corporations.[1] the height of the protests, an estimated 250,000,000 Indian workers and farmers took part in the protest, which makes up roughly four percent of the entire world’s population. The law promulgated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s far-right Bharatiya Janata Party, not only negatively effects Indian farmers, but also would affect global commerce, as India is a major exporter of agricultural goods, including spices, which…
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South China Sea Dispute
Written by: Margaret Santandreu, Associate Editor For years there has been an ongoing maritime claims dispute over the South China Sea among various countries including China, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. The dispute is over territorial control, freedom of navigation, shipping lines, and exploitation of natural resources of oil and gas. The disputed territories include Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, Mischief Reefs, and other land territories, reefs, continental shelves and banks. China over the years has been exercising its dominance in the region by conducting military exercises and creating artificial islands with military facilities such as naval ports and airline strips, to extend their sovereignty. In 2017 alone, China’s…
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Peace, the Middle East, and $335 Million Dollars?
Written by: Lindsay Durkin, Associate Editor In the recent weeks and months, the Middle East has seen steps towards increased stability and peace. On October 23, 2020. A phone call between United States President, Donald Trump, Israel Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Sudan Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok took place. This phone call served as the solidify the peace deal between Sudan and Israel. This makes Sudan the third Middle Eastern country in the last two months to have reached a peace agreement with Israel. Before this agreement, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were the only Arab states in 26 years to have a formal relationship with Israel. The UAE’s…
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European Lockdowns and the Effect on Migrant Workers in the European Union
Written by: Sofia Calabrese, Associate Editor Eight months after unprecedented travel restrictions in Europe due to the novel coronavirus began, European countries have begun closing down their borders for the second time as a new wave of the virus surges on the continent. Though the degree of shutdown varies, some countries such as France have decided that individuals are only to leave their homes for necessities such as groceries or medical treatment. One of the fundamental functions of the European Union is to allow for the free movement of workers across borders. Article 45 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that citizens are entitled to…
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The Race for Economic Recovery : China v. U.S.
Written by: Jamie Davila, Associate Editor Covid-19 has disrupted the global economy for months, shutting down virtually every industry worldwide. As countries began to grasp and contain the outbreak of new cases of the virus, their economies have commenced the recovery process. Every nation is employing their own economic recovery plan; however, the World Bank has projected that the global economy will contract 5.2% by summer 2021. The main economies to examine their road to recovery are the two major economies, China and the United States. Considered the epicenter of the corona virus outbreak, China has distinguished themselves from the world with their rapid economic recovery. China’s implementation of a…
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Nagorno-Karabakh Demands Intervention
Written by: Christopher Waters, Associate Editor An area of the Southern Caucuses which most around the globe have scarcely heard of is experiencing intense civil strife and demonstrates the need for stronger global leader involvement. Indeed, the Nagorno-Karabakh region is a contested area of land between Armenia and Azerbaijan; it has experienced intense violence since late September which has claimed the lives of an estimated 300 people and displaced thousands. The region, like many in post-Soviet nations, is not ethnically representative- it is officially Azerbaijan territory but houses a large Armenian population. The conflict demonstrates the need for a stronger international response as well as more permanent peace discussions. These…
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‘OUR RIGHT TO VOTE’: HOW COVID-19 IS INFECTING DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD
By Audrey Bimbi, Associate Editor COVID-19 has caused disruptions in more ways that many could have anticipated. Now added to the list of disruptions is the virus’ threat to democracy and the right to vote. As of April 15, 2020, several countries have postponed their elections to avoid putting people’s lives at risk, with South Korea currently standing out as an exception. With approximately 14,000 disinfected voting stations, South Korea is carrying out its elections in the strictest form, requiring voters to wear masks and stand about 3 feet from each other. Even those who are infected can vote by mailing the ballots. Regardless of whether countries will continue to…
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Global Mask Treasure Hunt Ensues Amid Rapid COVID-19 Spread
By Elena Delella, Associate Editor As of April 7th, 2020, the number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases has risen to 1,280,000, while the global death toll has reached 72,780. COVID-19’s rapid spread has led to a global scramble for personal protective equipment (PPE). N-95 masks are one specific type of PPE that is hardest to find. These masks and other PPE are so difficult to obtain that the French are referring to the global race as “guerre des masques” – the war of the masks. Countries are not the only opponents in this war. Individuals are also fighting to amass masks as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the…