Harry Tong

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is one a deeply rooted dispute that has plagued the South Caucasus region for decades. It can be traced back to the early 20th century when the South Caucasus region was part of the Russian Empire.

Afghanistan is an example of how the US’s efforts to democratize a foreign country failed to materialize. What once was a move for counter-terrorism instead turned over to a liberal state-building mission. Later, as the US gradually moved to pull out of the state, it became a target for an autocratic regime takeover by the Taliban. Since then, the Sunni Islamic fundamentalist group has been able to reassert oppressive control of its citizens, affecting their livelihood and migration. This brief analyzes the post-US pull-out conditions of Afghanistan, reveals the efforts of the international community and NGOs, and provides policy descriptions for working with the new regime.

Giorgia Meloni was sworn in as Italy’s prime minister in October 2023. A confounding member of the right-wing Brothers of Italy Party (Fratelli d’Italia), she was noted for controversial statements pertaining to social issues and economic policy. Recently, Meloni shocked China with the recent announcement to pull out from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at bolstering infrastructure projects abroad with China’s surplus. Following the announcement, Meloni met up with the Biden administration, showing a clear move to strengthen economic ties with the U.S. rather than China in preparation for departure from a once-ambitious project. This brief analyzes the reasons behind Italy’s exit from BRI, reveals the diplomatic consequences Italy may have to deal with and provides policy descriptions in maintaining concord with China.