The Movement for the Abolition of Rape Culture in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has approved the death penalty for convicted rapists, but activists argue that this is not enough to curb the rise in sexual violence.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative Changes Canada’s Place in the World
China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative poses three major geopolitical and economic implications for a middle power like Canada.
Mercenaries, Drones, and Abuses in America’s “Shadow War” in Africa
The U.S.-led “shadow war” in Africa has been ramped up in recent years, leading to widespread abuses and questions about the relevance of contemporary counterterrorism efforts.
Sovereignty Over Security: Mozambique’s Stance on Foreign Aid
Despite the increase in violence in Mozambique’s northern region, President Filipe Nyusi has been hesitant in accepting foreign aid to fight the Islamist insurgency over concerns that such aid will come with a catch.
Social Media, Farmers’ Protests in India, and the Diaspora
As the farmers protests in India continue, social media has become the latest target for government suppression. This is because it is used to inform the world about what is going on and connect and mobilise supporters in the diaspora.
The Faltering Relevance of the World Trade Organization
Since its establishment in 1995, the World Trade Organization provided and enforced the rules for global trade, however the organization’s relevance is increasingly being undermined by changes in global trading patterns and by flaws in its design.
How Canada’s Indigenous Battled COVID-19
Indigenous communities in Canada widely kept the first wave of the pandemic at bay, in part because of historical awareness and forward-thinking policies by Indigenous governments.
Celebrating Black History Month
Join the Spheres of Influence team in celebrating a multitude of Black icons who have been trailblazers in their communities and beyond.
The COVID-19 Battle in Peru: A Healthcare Crisis in Motion
Since announcing the first case of COVID-19 in March, Peru has been fighting a healthcare crisis that had existed long before the start of the pandemic.
Intellectual Property Rights and COVID-19: Markets or Universal Healthcare?
India and South Africa’s petition to temporarily waive intellectual property rights on COVID-19 innovations could help promote more government and private healthcare collaboration to boost scientific innovation.
Democracy in Decline: Poland’s Recent Abortion Ruling
On October 22nd, 2020 Poland’s top court imposed a ruling which bans almost all abortions, even in the case of fetal deformities. The court’s decision, which cannot be appealed, will have a significant impact on reproductive rights in Poland. This ruling is a result of the degradation of Polish democracy
Behind China’s Shift in Foreign Policy
Since Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms in the 1980s, Chinese foreign policy has been relatively non-threatening. During its economic rise, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) embraced a Peaceful Development strategy. This strategy emphasized that China’s prosperity depended on a peaceful international environment and, in turn, China’s rise would contribute to global
How Has Digital Technology Affected Forced Migration?
A New “Virtual Wall” The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this year that the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bought access to a commercial database that tracks cell phones across the country. The report revealed that these agencies are using the database
Comparing Biden’s and Trump’s Foreign Policy Approaches
In less than a week, on November 3rd, the results of the 2020 United States Presidential election will be revealed. Not only is this election huge for Americans as it could mean the difference in regards of COVID deaths, systemic racism, or immigration, but it will have long-standing international repercussions.
Increased Violence Against Political Activists in Colombia During COVID-19
In this past week, upwards of 6,000 Indigenous activists in Colombia have travelled nearly 500 kilometres from their home province of Cauca to the capital city of Bogotá, in order to protest the extreme increase in violence against Indigenous leaders and human rights activists that has occurred since the start
Kashmir: The Prolonged Cry for Human Rights
The past year has been difficult for Kashmir, an Indian administered region of dispute that has recently lost its semi-autonomous status. Since then, human rights violations and forceful measures have riddled the valley, and the global pandemic has only made matters worse. In a similar trend to the last 73
Kurdistan and Independence in 2020
In a referendum held in 2017, 92% of Kurdish people in the autonomous region in Iraq voted in favour of independence. It was bluntly rejected by the Iraqi federal government, who imposed drastic sanctions as a result. Three years later, the question remains: is independence still on the table? Who
Why Students are Protesting in Thailand
On October 15th, the government of Thailand declared a state of emergency after thousands of students gathered in protest. When the movement began in March, protestors demanded democratic changes to the constitution and election system, and called for the resignation of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha. Since the protests reemerged in
International Participation in the Ethiopian-Eritrean Conflict: A Historical Analysis
Some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, ranging from the Blue Nile to the Red Sea coastline, are native to the African countries currently known as Ethiopia and Eritrea, whose vast resources and rich cultural history have intrigued the rest of the world for centuries. Unfortunately, the natural wonders
The W20 Summit and Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia
This upcoming week from October 20th to the 22nd, Saudi Arabia will be virtually hosting the Women 20 Summit (W20), a conference that is hosted annually to address gender issues in state’s policies and political agendas. Concern over Saudi Arabia’s track-record surrounding women’s rights and the rights of other identity