The multifaceted causes of armed conflict and their catastrophic consequences for civilians highlight the need for sustained international efforts. By tackling the root causes of conflict, we can strive towards a world where diplomacy supersedes violence and fosters lasting peace. Armed conflict is a situation of violent and escalating armed violence resulting from political, religious […]

More than 1 in 74 people on Earth have been forced to flee their homes because of violence, conflict, poverty or natural disaster. The total number of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) is at a twenty-year high, and the world is at a crossroads. Refugees need help from their host countries, especially those with […]

If you take out a mortgage, use a credit card or put money into a savings account, interest rates play a big role in your financial life. The Federal Reserve raises or lowers those rates to achieve its dual goals: to manage inflation and encourage full employment. When the Fed raises the federal funds rate, […]

Economic stimulus refers to a series of government policies, often referred to as fiscal and monetary policy, designed to jump-start the economy during a period of slow or stagnant growth. This type of policy is usually implemented by central governments in order to avoid a recession and spur the economy back to growth. The economic […]

War crimes are some of the most serious violations of international law. They are committed during armed conflict and can involve both parties to the war. They are covered by international humanitarian law, which is based on the laws and customs of war established through the Geneva Conventions, the precedents of the Nuremberg Tribunals, and, […]

A proxy war is a conflict in which a major power plays a significant role in supporting and directing one side of a conflict but does not directly engage in the fighting itself. Proxy wars often have devastating effects on the countries involved, contributing to protracted violence, economic devastation, and regional instability. They can also […]

A State visit is a high level diplomatic tour undertaken by a head of state, or chief of government (for heads of governments) from one country to another. It involves a large number of ceremonial events and often includes an exchange of gifts. A State visit is also accompanied by meetings with the host’s prime […]

Trade agreement A trade agreement sets rules for international economic policy. In the most common type of trade agreement, governments commit to limit protectionist barriers to trade by lowering tariffs or other trade barriers on products that are imported and exported across the borders of the countries that signed the agreement. Trade agreements also set […]

Global sanctions are powerful political tools with profound global economic consequences. Sanctions impose steep barriers to international business, forcing them to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and reassess supply chains, while absorbing reputational risks by association with sanctioned regions. These economic setbacks compound financial losses, and often lead to litigation, financial penalties, and lost contracts. In […]

Diplomatic talks, a type of international dispute resolution, involve negotiations and dialogue between representatives of sovereign states. Often, they aim to advance a country’s national interests through foreign policy. They also mediate between nations’ clashing narratives, resolve disputes and create space for peace. Negotiations can be bilateral or multilateral. They may focus on issues such […]