DiwanHow Russian and Iranian drone strikes further dehumanize warfare
Written by Jordan Richard Schoenherr, Assistant Professor, Psychology, Concordia University Along with the recent reciprocal drone strikes by Iran and the United States in Syria, Russia continues to unleash its arsenal on Ukrainian civilian and military targets alike. While the Russian armies have started using outdated weapons, novel technologies remain the objects of fascination on […]
What does ‘secularism’ mean in the Iran protests?
Written by Roodabeh Dehghani, PhD candidate, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa Since the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in September 2022, much has been said and written about the protests in Iran. Amini died while in the custody of Iran’s morality police. She was arrested for supposedly wearing her hijab incorrectly. Her death triggered widespread protests […]
As longterm partnership with US fades, Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its diplomacy – and recent deals with China, Iran and Russia fit this strategy
Written by Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Baker Institute Fellow for Kuwait, Rice University The fact that Saudi Arabia entered a rapprochement deal with Iran and chose China to broker it came as a surprise to many international observers. The agreement, officially called the Joint Trilateral Statement, was signed in Beijing on March 11 and begins the […]
China’s latest diplomatic move will extend its trade, energy, financial and maritime power
Written by Jose Caballero, Senior Economist, IMD World Competitiveness Center, International Institute for Management Development (IMD) China’s billions of dollars in global investments and infrastructure projects seem to be paying off politically and economically. Just recently, Honduras signalled it is set to cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, having been one of the few remaining countries […]
The view from Moscow and Beijing: What peace in Ukraine and a post-conflict world look like to Xi and Putin
Written by Ronald Suny, Professor of History and Political Science, University of Michigan Just a few days after being branded a war criminal in an international arrest warrant, Russian President Vladimir Putin was talking peace with his most important ally, Chinese president Xi Jinping. The setting for the get-together was the late-15th-century Faceted Chamber, the […]
What is the National Cybersecurity Strategy? A cybersecurity expert explains what it is and what the Biden administration has changed
Written by Richard Forno, Principal Lecturer in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore County The Biden administration released its first National Cybersecurity Strategy on March 2, 2023. The last version was issued in 2018 during the Trump administration. As the National Security Strategy does for national defense, the National Cybersecurity Strategy outlines […]
Iranian protesters are making demands in charters and bills of rights
Written by Mona Tajali, Associate Professor of International Relations and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Agnes Scott College It’s been six months since the latest spark ignited mass protests in Iran — the death of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa (Jina) Amini in morality police custody after she was arrested for allegedly failing to wear her hijab […]
Middle East: recent developments could rewrite the political map – but a lot will depend on Israel
Written by Paul Rogers, Professor of Peace Studies, University of Bradford Following political developments in the past fortnight, two state-level policy changes in the Middle East are likely to combine to have a substantial impact on regional stability. On March 10, in a deal brokered by China and signed in Beijing, Saudi Arabia and Iran […]
Saudi-Iran deal won’t bring peace to the Middle East but will enhance China’s role as power broker
Written by Simon Mabon, Professor of International Relations, Lancaster University After more than four decades as seemingly implacable enemies on either side of a deep political-religious divide in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies. The deal, which was signed in Beijing, comes seven years after […]
