Stories about International Relations from May, 2023
‘Support does not necessarily mean understanding': Interview with founder of Taiwan-based ‘Ukrainian Voices’ Oleksandr Shyn
As Taiwan and Ukraine face threats — and Kyiv a real invasion — from their large and immediate neighbours — China and Russia — is the popular comparison between Taiwan and Ukraine valid?
Taiwan and Central Europe are increasingly aligned politically and economically: Interview with Polish analyst Marcin Jerzewski
Taiwan and Central Europe did not prioritize mutual relations until the COVID-19 pandemic during which they developed intensive ties that have evolved today to a much more robust relationship.
Protests break out in Georgia as Russia flight routes resume
Flights between Georgia and Russia have been banned since 2019, on President Putin's orders, following Russian lawmaker Sergey Gavrilov's visit to the country in June 2019. They just reopened to much controversy.
Sanctions against violators of women’s rights: A political lens
Emphasizing humanitarian aid and empowering women's self-determination and autonomy might be a better approach to creating meaningful change for women and girls than sanctions as a sole strategy.
Taiwan denied access to the World Health Assembly: Interview with Taiwan representative Chen Hsin-Hsin
As the World Health Organization holds its annual World Health Assembly, Taiwan continues to be refused entry to key discussions about global public health in an post-pandemic world.
Jamaica ‘celebrates’ the 75th anniversary of Windrush, but should it?
"My mother and father-in-law, with great expectations, went to an inhospitable UK to help fill its need for cheap labour to rebuild the country after the war ... it's personal."
WHO claims to serve all but repeatedly excludes 23 million Taiwanese
The WHO meets in Geneva, claiming to focus on public health at a global level, yet it denies the right of over 23 million Taiwanese to be included and protected
A Sinophone podcast finds a loyal audience both in China and among the Chinese diaspora
One Sinophone podcast focusing on global as well as hyper-local issues is connecting China and its large overseas population thanks to a well-balanced selection of topics and guests.
Progress at last? Armenia and Azerbaijan give peace another chance
The leaders of both countries agreed to resume bilateral meetings, and address questions of border delimitation, reopening transport and economic links, and the release of detainees.
The Arab League dealt a painful blow to human rights by normalizing relations with the Assad regime
Diplomatic normalizing with the Assad regime sends a chilling message to tyrants worldwide, allowing human rights violations to go unpunished, particularly amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war on the global stage.
Taiwanese documentary showcases forgotten story of a Vietnamese refugee camp from the 1970s
Even though Taiwan lacks an Asylum Law, it has not always been lukewarm to refugees. In the 1970s and 1980s, it accepted refugees from Vietnam, as one new documentary showcases.
Getting the Balkans wrong: The foreign coverage crisis
"Covering the Western Balkans requires more preparation than other parts of Europe. It’s not enough to know local politics. You need to appreciate the culture and society."
Cultural diplomacy, LGBTQ+ rights, and Ukraine in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
On the evening of the Eurovision Grand Final, Ternopil, the home city of Ukraine's 2023 Eurovision contestant, TVORCHI, was brutally shelled by Russian forces.
Controversies erupt in India over the film ‘The Kerala Story’
Directed by Sudipto Sen, the Bollywood movie "The Kerala Stories" explores the controversial notion of “love jihad” — a conspiracy theory that Muslim men convert Hindu women to Islam via romantic relationships.
China is tackling its food crisis by turning forests into farmland
Although China’s total grain output — 686.53 million tons in 2022 — could fully feed its 1.3 billion population, it is still looking to convert massive swaths of forest and green space to farmland.
Armenia and Azerbaijan take one step forward, three steps back in mending relations
Since active fighting ceased between Armenia and Azerbaijan in November 2020, following the 44-day war, there have been numerous attempts to normalize ties and relations between the two neighbors.
Russian refugees: What changed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Now some Russians persecuted for their anti-war stance, or those running from military draft, are also among asylum seekers
Anti-Taliban groups come together and call to resist with all means
As the international community is starting to discuss how to engage with the Taliban, the importance of the Vienna conference will continue to grow.
Central Asian leaders display loyalty to Kremlin at the military parade in Moscow
Russia’s allies in Central Asia are in a delicate position. They have to maintain neutrality while being pressured by Russia, who is leveraging the region’s political, security, and economic reliance.
Pakistan on edge: Protests continue as Imran Khan's arrest sparks outrage
Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan was arrested from a courthouse on Tuesday afternoon. The news of Khan's arrest has sparked heated demonstrations and raised concerns about political instability in Pakistan.
As Hong Kong's democracy deteriorates, its citizens are less welcome to settle in Taiwan
As democracy and freedom continue deteriorating in Hong Kong, Taiwan sets to increase barriers to issuing permanent residency visas to Hongkongers.
