I’ve had a recent break from karate and haven’t been to the dojo for a couple of years. I’ve been training as a karateka since 2004 at Kyoshin Shotokan Karate club under Sensei Ian Harman. I love this martial art and although I’m by far not the most skilled or…
The content outlines China’s historical journey from the late Ming dynasty to the modern era under President Xi Jinping. It emphasizes key events such as the Qing dynasty, opium wars, rise of communism, and China’s transformation into a global superpower. The book serves as an accessible introduction to understanding China’s contemporary significance.
View More Review: The Oxford History of Modern China – by Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom
PHOTO: The new Syrian Government Today’s Chatham House meeting is chaired by Raya Jalabi, Middle East Correspondent, Financial Times. On the panel are: Dr Haid Haid, MENA Programme, Rime Allaf, Syrian writer, formerly Chatham House and Dr Ibrahim Al-Assil, Belfer Center, Harvard University. It is a year since the rapid…
View More Chatham House: One year of Syria’s transition: Progress, challenges and prospects
This Chatham House roundtable discussion is chaired by Hugo Dixon, Reuters. On the panel are: Galip Dalay, Turkey Initiative, MENA Programme and Natalie Sabanadze, Russia and Eurasia Programme. Galip and Natalie have done a report on ‘Russia’s Black Sea Strategy’. The entire European security architecture is under scrutiny in the…
View More Chatham House: What does Russia want in the Black Sea region?
The Chatham House event focused on the UK’s defense obligations and spending, highlighting concerns about readiness for potential conflicts, particularly with Russia. Discussions emphasized the need for urgent action to enhance defense capabilities, accountability in spending, and a national dialogue on strategic priorities. Comparisons to Germany and Poland revealed the UK lagging in defense investment.
View More Chatham House: Can the UK afford to fight a war?
The Chatham House meeting highlighted Ukraine’s perilous situation amidst military pressure from Russia, energy crises, and a political corruption scandal involving $100 million in kickbacks. The persistence of crony capitalism undermines trust and impacts EU relations. Reforming governance and law enforcement is critical for rebuilding post-war Ukraine and addressing systemic corruption.
View More Chatham House: How corruption threatens war effort in Ukraine, and what is the remedy?
Chairman Mao remains a polarizing historical figure and key communist thinker alongside Marx and Lenin. The ‘Little Red Book’ is a widely influential text that shaped leftist movements globally, emphasizing the importance of the masses in history. Despite Mao’s controversial legacy, the book’s simple yet profound ideas continue to provoke thought and discussion.
View More Review: Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-Tung “Little Red Book”
Recent violence in Libya highlights Turkey’s growing political and military influence there. Turkey aims to be a regional power, pursuing security assistance and economic interests. Despite temporary conflict resolution efforts, tensions persist, raising concerns about a potential war. Turkey faces dilemmas with local power dynamics while navigating complex foreign relationships and corruption risks.
View More Chatham House: Turkey’s evolving role in Libya
Wez G – Peace Podcast is a musical blend featuring artists from Russia and Ukraine, hosted by an English DJ. The podcast aims to promote unity and hopes for an end to the ongoing war. A Spotify playlist of the featured songs is available, excluding one track.
View More Wez G – Peace Podcast – подкаст о мире
This deep vocal techno track is a peace song by Wez G for the war between Russia and Ukraine – a Ба́ба-Яга́ is a deadly drone used by both sides in this conflict. BUY / STREAM HERE: Ба́ба-Яга́ by Wez G
View More Wez G – Ба́ба-Яга́
The past year’s headlines have been hijacked by global conflict. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Israeli reaction to Hamas in Palestine. These two major wars have dominated. Yet a major, long-running war that has endured for 35 years came to a head in September 2023 when the conflict…
View More The Long, Forgotten War in Nagorno-Karabakh
This is not a story of a random Ukrainian musician that I have plucked out of the ether. I’ve been following the progress of the female DJ superstar, Marika Rossa, since 2012, before the crisis in Ukraine started. The internet brings musicians and fans together from every corner of the…
View More Dance for Ukraine: Marika Rossa – Female Techno DJ Ambassador from Kyiv
Chatham House is the Royal Institute of International Affairs. It is based in St. James’ Square, Mayfair, London, a short walk from Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. I have been a member of Chatham House for several months but with me being based in Wales all of my interactions thus far have…
View More Chatham House: How Effective Are The United States’ Sanctions? 19.06.2023
I have previously read a lot of material on World War 2 codebreakers and the likes of Alan Turing and their critical work against Enigma and the invention of modern computing during that period. Of course, codebreaking and cryptography is not a new science and has been a critical part…
View More Review: Before Bletchley Park – The Codebreakers of The First World War – by Paul Gannon
The Cuban Revolution was an earth-shattering event with huge consequences internationally, not just in Latin America, but further afield. I felt the impact myself whilst travelling across Scandinavia in 2005. I’d run out of clean underwear and, while scanning the aisles of a Göteborg department store, I came face to…
View More Guerrilla Heroico