SnoQap

Dec 16

Dec 16 Iran’s Uranium Enrichment: What Threat does it Pose?

Since Mahsa Amini’s death on September 16, protests in Iran have escalated, bringing increased attention to the Iranian government and the state of democracy in Iran. Meanwhile, Iran has continued to conduct a process called uranium enrichment, which involves the enrichment of uranium to higher levels of purity. This process is necessary for the development of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. Western leaders and leaders in the Middle East have expressed widespread concern that this process represents a move by Iran toward nuclear armament. However, Iran has denied claims that the process is an act of nuclear proliferation, stating that the uranium enrichment process is being conducted for the sole purpose of the development of nuclear energy. Recent progress on this process shows Iran enriching uranium up to 60%, a significant rise on previous enrichment of up to 20% in 2015, but what does this mean for global security, and why are Western leaders and their allies worried by this development?

Nov 4

Nov 4 Neocolonialism in the Philippines

Drew Pagaduan

International Affairs

Popular media has characterized the relationship between the United States and the Philippines as a connection built on democracy, mutually beneficial trade, and shared cultural values. But this propagandized image conceals a violent colonial history and an exploitative socio-political-economic dynamic in the present day. For the purposes of this article, colonialism can be defined as one state engaging in direct political control of another society, while neocolonialism can be defined as the indirect political and economic influence of a state over another society without explicit control (Go, 2015). Though the Philippines is recognized as a sovereign state, the extensive military power and presence of the U.S., extractive economic practices, and socio-political disempowerment of the Filipino people in the Philippines itself speak to the survival of colonial features which perpetuate a neocolonial connection between the Philippines and the United States.

Aug 31

Aug 31 How the Ukraine War is Changing the World

Ariel Siton

International Affairs

On February 24, 2022, Russia announced what its president, Vladimir Putin, called a “special military operation” into Ukraine. This war has damaged the global economy, the national economies of the world, and the lives and livelihoods of people in most regions of our planet, especially in developing countries. It has caused materials shortages, food shortages, and price rises in most regions of the world. However, what it is perhaps changing the most about the world is the Western-power-dominated global order. No longer do the nations of the West hold infinite power over international affairs; they now have serious contenders, most notably Russia and China.