Quality, security and sustainable development

A Rogue Libertarian on Sustainable Development

Opinion By Luis M. Arellano on November 16, 2020 | Reading time 5 min

There is something named ‘sustainable development’. A kind of development that lets us fulfil all our needs without compromising the needs of those that will come after us thanks to a balance between economic development, environment care, and social wellbeing. That’s the way to go for humanity if we are to arrive in 2050 with acceptable – not comfortable – living conditions.How to achieve it? Not with many libertarians on the planet, to be honest. Authorities – namely the State –  have to take the lead and step in with regulations and enforcement to actually achieve anything by the sorts of sustainable development, because our little rebel minds just won’t.

Street in Bethlehem

An Introduction to the Eastern Mediterranean – Historic Crossroads of Four Regions

In-Depth Analysis By Dawid A. Fusiek on November 12, 2020 | Reading time 33 min

The Eastern Mediterranean has been the historic crossroads of four regions: Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Except for being the “home” of their multiple and diverse geographic affiliations and varied political identities, it also constitutes a territory of great strategic importance. This article presents the historical background of the region, given that a lot of the current geopolitical developments are either the outcomes or have their roots in disputes, settlements, and events of the 20th century.

crossfence

Viewing Religion in opposition to Secularism

Brief Analysis By Sana Shah on November 2, 2020 | Reading time 9 min

The recent incident of the beheading of a teacher in France, as a reaction to the images of the Prophet shown by a history teacher which have first been published by the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, and the racist attack on two Muslim women at the Eiffel Tower in quick succession, have further exposed the fault lines vis-á-vis the debate on secularism. The discussion around secularism continues to be a point of contention across the globe for decades now, and it seems far from settled.

Final Presidential Debate

An Analysis of the Final 2020 US-Presidential Debate

In-Depth Analysis By Gabriela Greilinger on October 28, 2020 | Reading time 17 min

On Thursday, 22nd October 2020, the final presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice-President Joe Biden took place in Nashville. Kristen Welker of NBC News moderated the discussion. The debate covered six topics, amongst others, the COVID-19 pandemic, national security, the economy, and race in America. The debate was more orderly than the first presidential debate.

PM attends European Council

Unanimity is killing the EU

Opinion By Gabriela Greilinger on October 26, 2020 | Reading time 4 min

Time and again, voices from in- and outside the EU demanded for the Council of the EU to move from unanimous decision-making in matters of foreign and security policy to qualified majority voting. Moreover, concerns have been voiced that the block’s unanimity requirement seriously impedes its ability to act fast and step up as a reliable and credible global actor in a fast-changing world. Nevertheless, even though these calls for a decision-making reform are not new, it is unlikely that the rules will change anytime soon and that the EU will move to qualified majority voting in crucial areas such as foreign and security policy.

EU! Don't be silent

EU-Funding – A Key Area of Corruption in Hungary

Brief Analysis By Gabriela Greilinger on October 19, 2020 | Reading time 6 min

While it is widely known corruption is a widespread problem in Hungary, the role of EU funds and the extent to which these funds are affected by corrupt practices often goes unnoticed. EU money from cohesion funds is frequently misappropriated, and the money, as well as public contracts, are often given to government allies as well as friends and family of prime minister Orbán. The EU needs to find new solutions to exert control over the projects financed by EU money and ensure that the money is not misappropriated and further enriches corrupt government officials and cronies.

Syria

The Fall of ISIS and the Future of Counterterrorism Operations

Opinion By Haris Šehović on October 16, 2020 | Reading time 3 min

There is an old saying about counterterrorism: it is like mowing the grass in your front lawn. It needs to be a consistent process, even though sometimes you do not know exactly where the enemy is. The future of counterterrorism operations lies in better cooperation among Western nation-states.

Gwadar, Pakistan

The Strategic Importance of Gwadar

In-Depth Analysis By Luis M. Arellano on October 11, 2020 | Reading time 13 min

Rhetorical attacks between China and the United States have arrived at an all-time high after the Eastern Giant has sparked world-wide antagonism with its crusade against human rights and its aggressive foreign policy. A confrontation between the two superpowers could bring disastrous consequences for both, but one of the most striking might be the ultimate vanishing of the Chinese Communist Party. If the party is to maintain its grip on China, it has to play its cards well, and a foreign port in Pakistan could play a major role in it.

First Presidential Debate

An Analysis of the First 2020 US-Presidential Debate

In-Depth Analysis By Gabriela Greilinger on October 10, 2020 | Reading time 13 min

On Wednesday, 29th September 2020, the first of three presidential debates between President Donald Trump and former Vice-President Joe Biden, took place in Cleveland. The debate was moderated by Chris Wallace of Fox News. The debate covered six topics, amongst others, the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the integrity of the elections. The debate was characterized by multiple crosstalks, shouting and incoherent answers. While President Trump failed to provide comprehensible answers to questions posed by Wallace, Biden had problems bringing across his message due to continuous interruptions by Trump.

Vice-Presidential Debate

An Analysis of the 2020 US Vice-Presidential Debate

In-Depth Analysis By Gabriela Greilinger on October 8, 2020 | Reading time 11 min

On Wednesday, 5th October 2020, the first and only vice-presidential debate between Senator Kamala Harris and republican Vice-President Mike Pence took place. During the debate, nine topics were covered, amongst others, the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, the role of American leadership, the US relations to China and climate change.
Despite several crosstalks between Harris and Pence, the discussion proved to be somewhat more civilized than the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.