Best of the fortnight - 14 July 2023
Guest Editor Louis Newstead has scoured the internet for IR-related content that might interest you. Here he brings you the past fortnight's best readings and podcasts to keep you up to date with what's happening around the world.
UK and Europe
Why UK court ruled Rwanda isn’t a safe place to send refugees – and what this means for the government’s immigration plans. Natalie Hodgson for The Conversation
Podcast: France on fire, Thames Water troubles, and NHS privatisation. The Rest is Politics
Rise in German far-right reflects growing sentiment against Ukraine war. Suzanne Loftus for Responsible Statecraft
Russia and Ukraine
Soviet aggression prompted the birth of the Nato alliance – here’s why that matters now. Jan Ruzicka and Gerald Hughes for The Conversation
Sweden is joining Nato: what that means for the alliance and the war in Ukraine. Simon J Smith and Jordan Becker for The Conversation
Nato: Vilnius summit will reflect fresh sense of purpose over Ukraine war – but hard questions remain over membership issues. Mark Webber for The Conversation
Why did Lukashenka invite Wagner rebels to Belarus? Igor Ilyash for openDemocracy
Inside the Ukrainian city threatened with nuclear sabotage. Kris Parker for openDemocracy
USA
How Much Aid Has the U.S. Sent Ukraine? Here Are Six Charts. Jonathan Masters and Will Merrow for Council on Foreign Relations
Podcast: Many Countries Banned Cluster Munitions. The U.S. is Sending them to Ukraine Anyway. The Daily from The New York Times
Should America Push Ukraine to Negotiate With Russia? Dmytro Natalukha; Alina Polyakova and Daniel Fried; Angela Stent; Samuel Charap for Foreign Affairs
How America Can Win Over the Global South. Suzanne Nossel for Foreign Affairs
Latin America
Qatar emerges as go-between on frozen US-Venezuela front. Eldar Mamedov for Responsible Statecraft
China
How China Exports Secrecy. Christopher Walker for Foreign Affairs
What is China doing in Yemen? Emily Milliken for Responsible Statecraft
Yellen visits China amid worst economic tension in decades. Jake Werner for Responsible Statecraft
Asia
Will Thailand move forward? Walden Bello and Kheetanat Synth Wannaboworn for Responsible Statecraft
The Indo-Pacific is no place for NATO. Yelena Biberman for Responsible Statecraft
Taiwan boosts economic diplomacy despite Chinese pressure. Emanuele Scimia for Responsible Statecraft
Middle East
Death in Jenin: Israel’s biggest attack in the West Bank in 20 years is down to Netanyahu’s political weakness – here’s why. Leonie Fleischmann for The Conversation
Jenin attack created 4,000 new refugees, part of the endless cycle of Palestinian displacement since 1948. Anne Irfan for The Conversation
The Gulf Goes Green. Karen E. Young for Foreign Affairs
Podcast: What the raid on Jenin says about the future of Israel and Palestine. Today in Focus from The Guardian
Africa
Rising sexual violence in Sudan conflict reflects entrenched patriarchy – but women and girls are fighting back. Tamsin Bradley for The Conversation
Why schoolchildren are regularly being targeted by terrorist groups in many countries. Brian J. Phillips for The Conversation
Power Struggle in Sudan. Center for Preventative Action by Council on Foreign Relations
Podcast: Group dynamics: Wagner in Africa. The Intelligence from The Economist
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