The question of how to successfully assist states as they develop has plagued experts and organizations for years. Each state is home to its own set of culturally specific circumstances, meaning that the process of development can not simply be achieved with a substantial wad… Read More
The Trump administration has exhibited a sharp departure from the United States’ legacy of overseas democracy promotion since taking office in 2017. As the title suggests, this “America First” presidency is based squarely around the fulfilment of U.S.-centric objectives, with a shrinking degree of attention… Read More
Around the world, water scarcity is increasingly changing the face of conflict. Beyond its being essential to human survival – one can only live a few days without consumption – water is also required for basic hygiene and agricultural production. In 2013, the Global Water… Read More
Ashin Wirathu, a leading monk in the ongoing persecution of Muslims in Rakhine State, was this week issued an arrest warrant by a Myanmar court, on the basis of “exciting or attempting to excite disaffection towards the government.” The warrant is significant not for the… Read More
Two years on from the monumental peace agreement which brought an end to Colombia’s 52-year civil war, the state still remains significantly unstable. Following decades of conflict between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), local militia groups have seized the opportunity… Read More
I had only the frigid Beijing air and my large suitcase for company as I waited for the 7.30 train to Chongqing. 30 hours and over 1,800 kilometres separate Beijing from Chongqing via the slow train. Of course, I was well aware of the direct… Read More
From playing cards and plastic straws to new energy vehicles and advanced robotics, China is looking to drastically transform its manufacturing industry. For years China’s economy has been driven by cheap export items that have found there way into the homes of people around the… Read More
Ethiopia’s proud population, stabilising governance, improved infrastructure and a steady economic growth rate has led some observers to suggest the East African state may be the next to experience an economic miracle of Chinese proportions. Read the full article here.
China’s position as the world’s second-largest economy is due in no small part to the state’s ability to replace their once agrarian based system with a new ‘Urban Dream’. This dream, which aims to have 60 per cent of the population living in urban environments… Read More
As Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) wraps itself around the Central Asian region which lies to China’s immediate west, it poses as the crucial link to Europe and beyond. With Russia apathetic toward its role as the major trading partner to the significant region,… Read More
Oliver Lees 李奥力 