states

Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have?

Peacekeeping armies: what are they, why do African states build them and what impact do they have?: Since 1948, more than two million uniformed peacekeepers have served in over 70 United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions. They have come from over 120 UN member states. But a few countries have regularly contributed a significant proportion of …

The Moana effect: how small island developing states are bringing their struggle against climate change to the world

The Moana effect: how small island developing states are bringing their struggle against climate change to the world: Walking through the delegation pavilion at the UN climate summit, Cop29, in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Moana blue Pacific pavilion grabbed my attention more than any other. This pavilion is named after the spirited young girl from the …

Freedom of thought is being threatened by states, big tech and even ourselves. Here’s what we can do to protect it

Freedom of thought is being threatened by states, big tech and even ourselves. Here’s what we can do to protect it: Beauty Is In The Eye Inc/Shutterstock The idea of free speech sparked into life 2,500 years ago in Ancient Greece – in part because it served a politician’s interests. The ability to speak freely …

Scramble for the Sahel – why France, Russia, China and the United States are interested in the region

Scramble for the Sahel – why France, Russia, China and the United States are interested in the region: The Sahel, a region 3,860km wide located south of the Sahara Desert and stretching east-west across the African continent, has been a focus of attention around the world recently. In the last decade, issues such as terrorism, …

Young Africans could disrupt authoritarian states but they don’t – here’s why

Young Africans could disrupt authoritarian states but they don’t – here’s why: Africa has the world’s largest youth population. By 2030, 75% of the African population will be under the age of 35. The number of young Africans aged 15-24 is projected to reach 500 million in 2080. While population dynamics vary across the continent, …

Egypt and Ethiopia are finally working on a water deal – what that means for other Nile River states

Egypt and Ethiopia are finally working on a water deal – what that means for other Nile River states: The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam began generating electricity in 2022. Minasse Hailu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Egypt and Ethiopia have waged a diplomatic war of words over Ethiopia’s massive new dam – the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – …

Migrant deaths at sea: the real blame lies with policies created by European states

Migrant deaths at sea: the real blame lies with policies created by European states: Photo by Oliver Weiken/picture alliance via Getty Images On 15 June, the overcrowded fishing trawler Adriana sank on its illicit journey from Libya to Italy, drowning hundreds of men, women and children. In response, states have expressed shock and sadness, and …

Wagner debacle in Russia raises red flags for African states and how they manage their security

Wagner debacle in Russia raises red flags for African states and how they manage their security: 10 tons of ammunition previously laid in civilian settlements by Libyan militia and Wagner group mercenaries . Hazem Turkia/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The brief rebellion led against the Kremlin by the head of the Wagner mercenary forces in …

Henry Kissinger at 100: history will judge the former US secretary of state’s southern African interventions to be a failure

Henry Kissinger at 100: history will judge the former US secretary of state’s southern African interventions to be a failure: Former American Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in 2019. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Henry Kissinger, who sexed up the art of diplomacy in the eight years between 1969 and 1977, will turn 100 in …

Extreme storms and flood events cause damage worth billions to ports — and they are most disruptive to small island developing states

Extreme storms and flood events cause damage worth billions to ports — and they are most disruptive to small island developing states: Natural hazards inflict damage on ports worldwide. Harvepino/Shutterstock Shipping ports are crucial for the global economy. They handle the majority of trade, are industrial and transportation hubs and provide employment. But ports, by …

China’s increasing economic ties with the Gulf states are reducing the west’s sway in the Middle East

China’s increasing economic ties with the Gulf states are reducing the west’s sway in the Middle East: At the end of November 2022, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak announced that the “golden era” between Great Britain and China was over. China may not have been too bothered by this news however, and has been busy …

British Library digitised image from page 466 of “Illustrated Official Handbook of the Cape and South Africa. A résumé of the history, conditions, populations, productions, and resources of the several colonies, states, and territories. Edited by John Nob

A cool South African City image: British Library digitised image from page 466 of “Illustrated Official Handbook of the Cape and South Africa. A résumé of the history, conditions, populations, productions, and resources of the several colonies, states, and territories. Edited by John Nob Image by The British Library Image taken from: Title: "Illustrated Official …