The issue brief examines the intensified digital repression during the recent "12-day war" between Israel and Iran, exploring how the Islamic Republic of Iran exploits cyber threats to justify internet blackouts and digital censorship. The article explores the development of the "Halal Internet," authoritarian partnerships, and online disinformation campaigns to dispel dissent. The article also underscores how international involvement and funding is needed to help promote digital freedom in Iran.

Africa has long been central to the development of world and intercontinental trade as we know it; yet for centuries, it has been a major player in global economic development without being officially included in world economic forums and trade agreements. Since its decolonization in the late 20th century, African countries have worked restlessly to develop themselves, but face the continued obstacle of not being allowed to make decisions about their own economic fates. However, as the world has moved into the 21st century, African leaders have refused to be left behind economically, having signed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement to conduct international and intercontinental trade on their own terms. 

This article looks at how immigration policy has emerged as a major issue in European politics, contributing to government instability, the rise of right-wing populism, and shifts in mainstream party platforms. Focusing on the UK, Denmark, and the EU, it highlights the tension between economic needs, public sentiment, and human rights, and argues that coherent, cooperative reform is essential to address growing political divides.

This article focuses on the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) faction called the Kōchikai (Big Pond Society) and how it has changed from more cooperative and collaborative stances to more dividing and antagonistic stances. It then shows how, while the majority of LDP factions are dissolved, these groupings can still be valuable to determine the possible policy stances a politician may take in the future.

The Japanese economy and its trade are very complicated subjects with numerous aspects to it, but one way to look at them is through the lens of key figures. By analyzing the Japanese Prime Minister, Governor of the Bank of Japan, and the Minister of the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry, it shows how they focus on different areas of the economy and how they can influence Japanese economic and trade policies. Through their individual qualities, it is possible to see how these figures compliment and contrast each other in their attempts to rejuvenate the Japanese economy.

While Ishiba's diplomatic outlook has been different than the views of his predecessors, this could be used to the advantage of the US. Ishiba has been more pro-Chinese than his predecessors and seems willing to work together with China on common issues. With US leadership in question throughout the world, and a possible Japan-US fallout looming over tariffs, now is the time to see what impact Ishiba's diplomatic strategy would have on the US' latticework strategy to unite the Indo-Pacific through a multitude of agreements between nations and whether it is possible to incorporate Ishiba's diplomacy into the US' strategy.

This article looks at the history of US interest in Greenland, focusing on the changing motives behind its strategic importance over time. Recent comments from the Trump Administration have brought a spotlight to the historic trends of involvement with Greenland, shifting as a result of geopolitical, economic, and military priorities. From resource-driven interest to strategic involvement, this paper looks at the fluctuation of interest through administrations and foreign policy doctrines. Greenland has remained an important point of interest in the region.

The People's Power Revolution against the rule of the dictator of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos that brought about the return to democracy in the Philippines occurred only a few decades ago. Following the strongman rule of President Rodrigo Duterte, Filipinos voted to elect President Ferdinand "Bong Bong" Marcos Jr. into the presidency in 2022. With Marcos' dictatorial pedigree and the dangerous precedents of Duterte, the future of Filipino democracy is gravely at risk and the potential for a new rise in authoritarianism in the Philippines is on the horizon.

Since 2009, BRICS, originally comprising of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has evolved from a bloc of 10 of the world’s largest developing economies to a growing adversary of the West. With the recent inclusion of 5 new countries—Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE, and Indonesia, BRICS now accounts for a quarter of the global economy and nearly half of the world’s population. This article explores BRICS’ progress towards its two primary goals—reducing global reliance on the US dollar and challenging Western hegemony and the US-dominated global order.