Explainer: US Mass Incarceration and Its Disparate Racial Impacts
The US prides itself on being a nation built on freedom, justice, and individual rights. And yet the evolution of its system of mass incarceration — a system that cannot be defined without reference to shocking racial disparities — seems to directly contradict these founding principles. The US prison population dwarfs those of nearly every other [...]
Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations, does not shy away from tough questions. Though many in a position such as his might shy away from argument, Rae seems to relish the opportunity to engage in some intellectual sparring. It was in this context that I requested an interview as Canada grapples with multiple [...]
Explainer: The Philippines-China Maritime Dispute and International Law
Through 2023, tensions in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines have escalated, marked by such significant escalations as the removal of a floating barrier by the Philippines near the Scarborough Shoal and the deployment of its Coast Guard amid increased activity by the Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) near Julian Felipe Reef (or [...]
The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) announced Monday it would close after ten years of service. Mali previously called upon the UN to withdraw from the country “without delay” in June. The UN began withdrawing the mission in July. MINUSMA expressed gratitude to the countries that supported their effort and thanked the [...]
Canada Must Take a Stand Against Lobbying Efforts for Sudan's RSF Militia
The war in Sudan that broke out in April between the country’s armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has already had a devastating impact. Thousands have been killed. Millions have been displaced. And that’s to say nothing of the massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure. In parallel with the battles on the [...]
Sudan's Rapid Support Forces Militia Must Be Stopped: A Brief History of Atrocities
The conflict that erupted in April between the Sudanese National Army and the Rapid Support Forces wreaked havoc on Sudan, and has ultimately taken an appalling toll. Thousands were killed and millions displaced. Buildings were burned and infrastructure lay in ruins, instilling fear of a spiraling descent into a full-scale civil war. Even before the warfare [...]
Israel's Strategic Doctrine: Nuclear Ambiguity and Iran-Backed Terror
“For by Wise Counsel, Thou Shalt Make Thy War.” Proverbs 24,6 Israel’s nuclear posture remains closely held. On its face, this “ambiguous” stance appears perfectly reasonable. But a critically core question should now be raised: Is unmodified deliberate nuclear ambiguity (the “bomb in the basement”) still in the long-term survival interests of the beleaguered state. [...]
Hong Kong Journalist's Association: 'Press freedom index hits new low'
Hong Kong’s press freedom score dropped four times in four consecutive years, said the Hong Kong Journalist’s Association Friday when releasing its Press Freedom Index for 2023. The index was created in 2013 and is calculated from ratings given by Hong Kong journalists and the general public. In 2018, Hong Kong’s press freedom score was [...]
Mali postpones release of results of long awaited constitutional referendums
The nation of Mali postponed the release of the results of its constitutional referendums amid tensions with rebel groups and the UN. Mali’s Independent Election Management Authority (AIGE) has stated that electoral law requires the results be made public no later than June 23. The Election Observation Mission in Mali (MODELE Mali) noted several irregularities [...]
An attack on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) resulted Friday in the death of one peacekeeper and the injury of eight other peacekeepers. MINUSMA reported that the attack involved an improvised explosive device (IED) and direct fire. MINUSMA condemned the attack and reaffirmed their commitment to “bring stability and peace to [...]
