World Update: how Israel’s relations with the UN hit rock bottom: With the clock ticking down to November 5 and what just about everyone agrees is the most consequential US presidential election in living memory, various of the Biden administration’s top brass have jetted out to the Middle East for one last try to get …
US-Africa relations under Biden: a mismatch between talk and action: In his first year in office, US president Joe Biden committed to resetting US-Africa relations based on a doctrine of equal partnership. He sent his secretary of state, Antony Blinken, to Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. The visit was used to outline the administration’s policy …
Ethiopia’s quest for access to the sea: success rests on good relations with its neighbours: On 1 January, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding granting Addis Ababa direct access to the Gulf of Aden. This strategic agreement paves the way for Ethiopia to establish commercial and military bases along the coast. Under the …
Why David Cameron’s past and present relations with China could be Rishi Sunak’s first big political headache of 2024: Almost immediately after being appointed as foreign secretary, David Cameron’s ties with China generated difficult headlines for Rishi Sunak’s government. Cameron’s warmth towards China during his own time as prime minister prompted Luke de Pulford, the …
China-Africa relations in 2023: key moments and events to remember: In a year when headlines have been dominated by conflict in Europe and the Middle East, and geo-economic tensions between China and the West, China-Africa relations were, in comparison, a steady and stable norm. Having followed China-Africa relations for two decades, I wanted to flag …
South Africa’s foreign policy under Ramaphosa has seen diplomatic tools being used to provide leadership as global power relations shift: Leadership plays a critical role in diplomacy. What quality of leadership does South Africa need if it’s to secure its international interests? This is a question my colleagues and I have had the opportunity to …
As Lachlan Murdoch takes over from his father he may need to reset News Corp’s relations with Donald Trump: As Rupert Murdoch hands over the reins of News Corp and Fox to his son Lachlan, there is an opportunity to rebuild the relationship between the family’s media empire and former US president Donald Trump. This …
Agoa trade deal talks: South Africa will need to carefully manage relations with the US and China: South Africa must tread carefully in its economic relationships to avoid being caught in the escalating tension between east and west, and more specifically China and the US. The country’s hosting, and the outcome, of the 2023 Agoa …
Mauritius is the latest nation to decriminalise same-sex relations in a divided continent: The Mauritius Supreme Court has declared unconstitutional a law that criminalises consensual same-sex acts between adult men. The decision boosts the trend in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region towards decriminalisation. Now, a slight majority – nine out of 16 member …
Nigerian women ensure they get the best possible healthcare by managing unequal power relations with men: Rural women in Nigeria negotiate healthcare decisions with their partners. Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images Nigeria is a patriarchal society. Authority is vested in men, who tend to exert power and control over women in various spheres of life. …
US-Israel relations the coolest for decades after ‘terror’ attack by settlers kills 19 year-old Palestinian: For most of Israel’s 75-year history, its closest ally has been the United States, prepared to use its UN security council veto and invariably willing to encourage military collaboration as well as providing plenty of direct aid. But that relationship …
What do politicians really think of economists? Our new research explains why relations fell apart after 2008: ESB Professional / Shutterstock As countries across Europe and around the world grapple with high living costs and impending recession, voters are concerned about the economy and how their elected representatives will fix it. For many, it’s tempting …
Ukraine war: Poland welcomed refugees with open arms at first, but survey shows relations are becoming more strained: Around 1.5 million Ukrainians have settled in Poland in the aftermath of the full-scale Russian incursion of Ukraine in February 2022. The latest group comprises mainly women and children, in contrast to those already there who were …
Emmanuel Macron’s state visit with Joe Biden: key takeaways as relations warm up after a frosty few months: Emmanuel Macron has just completed the first major state visit to the US since the pandemic. As central pillars of Nato and the broader western, democratic alliance, France and the US are historic allies. However, there was …
Western leaders are divided over the future of relations with China: European Council president Charles Michel heads to Beijing on December 1, the latest in a procession of western leaders to seek an audience with Xi Jinping, in a year when the Chinese president has cemented his position as the country’s most powerful leader since …
Is there really a paradigm shift in US/Africa relations? Why the answer seems to be yes: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken setting out Washington's new Africa strategy at the University of Pretoria. Photo by Andrew Harnik / AP POOL/AFP via Getty Images) US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s whirlwind visit to three African countries …
The US is revisiting its trade relations with African countries: key issues on the table: President Joe Biden speaks as Secretary of State Antony Blinken looks on. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images Last year, the US’s Biden administration announced plans to increase two-way trade and investment between the US and Africa. The starting point was …
US secretary of state Antony Blinken’s visit aims to reset relations with South Africa: US secretary of state Antony Blinken. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images US secretary of state Antony Blinken has embarked on a five nation tour of Cambodia, the Philippines, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. This is Blinken’s second …