Raquel I. (Lisbon, Portugal) – On February 16th, 2024, the world awoke to the tragic – yet unsurprising – news of the death of Aleksey Navalny, known worldwide as the main opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Although the official causes of his death are still unknown, a great majority of people, including world leaders, … Read more
Marios Pachidis, October 2023 Private Military Groups, also known as Private Military Contractors, play an integral part in modern warfare. PMCs gained recent prominence due to the Russian state funded Wagner Group, which mutinied against the Russian state. However, the substantial presence of PMCs in the international arena has been prominent since the end of … Read more
Simaioforidou Maria, October 2023 Azerbaijan initiated a significant military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19th, with the goal of defeating the Republic of Artsakh, which has an Armenian-majority population and is self-governed from Stepanakert. Their objective was to establish complete control over the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region. Following months of blockading the Lachin Corridor, which serves … Read more
Robert Malloy, October 2023 Introduction After more than a year of deliberation, the UK government has moved forward with the passage of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill. This legislation is aimed at shifting the approach of achieving a sustainable peace in Northern Ireland. From the 1960s through the early 2000s, Northern Ireland … Read more
India might ultimately become world’s economic powerhouse in 2023 as it overtakes China economically. With a rapidly growing economy, a large workforce, and a shift to the West, India has all the necessary ingredients to become a major player on the world stage. This optimistic argument begins with demographics. With a population that is significantly … Read more
Simaioforidou Maria, May 2023 In a surprising turn of events, Tayyip Erdogan has emerged as the winner in Turkey’s recent elections, catching many foreign analysts off guard. The Turkish president holds a clear advantage as he heads into the second round of elections with a five-point lead over his opponent, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. This unexpected outcome … Read more
Simaioforidou Maria, Creator and editor-in-Chief of IR101 ChatGPT stands out among existing artificial intelligence (AI) systems due to its user-friendly interface, enabling widespread engagement with AI technology. When it comes to diplomacy, AI systems can swiftly search and summarize information, enabling diplomats to be better prepared for negotiations. As different parties develop their own AI … Read more
Introduction Among the most startling trends noted by international relations scholars is the increased impartiality of the global south on many of the direst geopolitical issues facing the world today. The reasons for the increase in states adopting a neutral position are complex and should not be reduced to simplistic explanations. However, one interesting variable … Read more
Introduction Last month, a first of its kind conference in the Netherlands sought to bring together a collection of states with the goal of promoting increased responsibility regarding the implementation and use of artificial intelligence within the global defence sector. The conclusion of the summit witnessed many major military powers, including the US and China, … Read more
Simaioforidou Maria, 02/2023 Over the past year, many governments have faced difficult decisions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Germany, for example, has broken a long-standing taboo in its foreign and defense policy by offering military support to Ukraine, while Finland and Sweden have requested NATO membership. Being located in the heart of Europe and … Read more
