Trevor Darr

The Prince and the Pauper: Assessing US-Saudi Relations

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 were the largest single-day loss of life of Jewish people since the Holocaust, and represented the single deadliest day on Israeli soil since the state’s independence in 1948. Over 1,400 Israelis had been killed through a combination of attacks on suburban kibbutz communities and rural populations, including the Re’im Music Festival, bringing substantial social media attention to the attacks through victim-recorded footage.

Greece and Turkey Sign Commitment To Friendly Relations

Poor Turkish-Greek relations are influenced by centuries of ethnic divisions and conflicting land claims, which has resulted in the countries fighting two major wars against one another. Recently, a sudden and unexpected break in tensions between Greece and Turkey led to a landmark agreement to mend ties.

Freedom and Fairness of the 2024 Bangladeshi Parliamentary Election

In early January, increasingly autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League won her fifth term in office as Prime Minister. For months preceding the election, violence and protests broke out as a result of controversy surrounding Hasina’s rule. These protests were repressed as Hasina became notorious for cracking down on free speech. The main opposition party, Bangladesh National Party (BNP) declined to participate in the election, calling for an interim caretaker government, which Hasina refused. Her victory was highly controversial among BNP members and has been recognized as an unfree and unfair election by several countries.

Houthi Rebel Attacks in the Red Sea

The Houthis are an anti-Sunni Yemeni rebel group. Since November 2023, The Houthis have launched numerous missile and drone attacks on commercial Israeli ships in the Red Sea targeting as a response to the intensifying war in Gaza. The US has responded with self-defense strikes, which was met with mixed responses from the Middle East, Europe, and regional powers.

Decoding ISIS-K and its Resurgence

ISIS-K is rapidly pursuing violent operations to acquire regional influence, staunchly imposing its stringent interpretation of Sharia law. In March of 2024, a large shift in strategy occurred when the group attacked a Moscow concert hall, killing 143 civilians. This has raised questions about the prospective intentions of the terrorist outfit.

The Quandaries of an Intervention in Haiti

Amidst Haiti's turbulent history of economic woes and gang violence, a fresh wave of crisis grips the nation as governance falters and the prime minister remains marooned in Puerto Rico. International aid efforts stall against the backdrop of logistical hurdles and security risks posed by gangs controlling vital infrastructure in Port-au-Prince. The entrée of over 600 Kenyan policemen has done little to salvage the situation. More Kenyans are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and months along with police and soldiers from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Jamaica for a total of 2,500 personnel.

Brexit: Four Years On — The World Still Feels the Fallout.

Four years after the United Kingdom’s historic break from the European Union, the effects of Brexit have rippled far beyond borders, reshaping political landscapes and economic realities in ways both foreseen and unforeseen. Whilst the numbers tell one story, the real tale lies in the flame of populism that Brexit has kindled—a fire now steering democracies across the globe. This brief uncovers the profound implications of Brexit, not just for the UK and the EU, but for the future of political messaging worldwide.

New Zealand and the Quest for a Coherent Foreign Policy

New Zealand (NZ), a remote nation of just over five million people, might seem poised for a simple foreign policy. Yet, the reality is anything but simple. This analysis traces the roots of NZ’s foreign policy to understand the challenges it faces today. Despite its geographic isolation, NZ’s structural proclivity for coalition governments, dangerous reliance on China and a complicated relationship with Australia have all tragically tamed the fighting spirit of the country’s once famous and much adored eccentrically progressive foreign policy.