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EDITOR'S CORNER: It’s Not Our War!

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There is a common sentiment expressed in some right-leaning political discussions: “It’s not our war,” or “They aren’t our people.” In some ways, it’s understandable why some individuals feel this way. They may question why their country should spend limited resources on issues and people outside their borders. If a conflict is happening elsewhere, and the people affected are not citizens, it can seem distant or unrelated. However, events in other parts of the world — whether in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, or elsewhere — often have wider consequences. Global conflicts can influence international stability, migration, trade, security, and the overall wellbeing of interconnected economies. We also have international agreements, humanitarian commitments, and widely shared principles of human rights, ethics, and moral responsibility. In this blog post, we will take a look at the perspective that assistance should be limited to citizens within one’s own country, whether in the form of ...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: Another Corruption Scandal in Ukraine?

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This week has brought a jolt to Ukraine as a major corruption scandal erupted, reaching into the inner circle of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At the same time, the country is bracing for another brutal winter, with its energy grid continually targeted by Russian drones and ballistic missiles. As civilians struggle with freezing conditions and soldiers endure relentless fighting at the front, it’s worth asking: What is really happening in Ukraine? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the current corruption challenges facing Ukraine and the measures President Zelenskyy is taking to confront them. The nation’s morale hangs in the balance — as does Ukraine’s future in the European Union and the willingness of international partners to continue providing aid. A HISTORY OF CORRUPTION SINCE THE FALL OF USSR Ever since Ukraine declared independence in 1991, corruption has been one of the country’s most persistent challenges. As the Soviet system collapsed, powerful insiders rushed ...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: What Side is Hungary On?

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Throughout the past few years, Hungary has continued to surprise us in the West with its choices. In fact, perhaps “surprise” is no longer the right word — it has become almost predictable that Prime Minister Orbán and his government will side with Russia over Europe. Normally, this wouldn’t be a major issue; every democratic nation has the right to choose its own allies. But Hungary’s position is different — it’s a long-standing member of both NATO and the European Union. In this blog post, let’s take a closer look at Hungary’s stance in recent years and consider where the country might be heading. Can Hungary actually be expelled from NATO or the EU? These questions have been raised by several experts over the past few years, and they’re worth examining more closely . A RELUCTANT NATO AND EU MEMBER STATE Hungary joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in March 1999. It became a member of the European Union (EU) in May 2004. Both moves were seen at the time as historic mi...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: How Civilians Suffer at the Hands of Russians

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In this blog post, I want to shed light on the immense suffering endured by Ukrainian civilians at the hands of the Russian army — both in the occupied territories and across Ukraine. According to the Geneva Conventions, all warring nations are obligated to protect civilians and minimize harm to them during armed conflict. However, Russia has repeatedly violated these principles, showing blatant disregard for international law. Inflicting pain and fear on civilians has become a deliberate tactic — one aimed at spreading terror, breaking morale, and sowing chaos in hopes of weakening Ukraine’s resistance and forcing an end to the war on Moscow’s terms. " HUMAN S AFARI " DRONE ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS In Kherson, which was liberated by Ukraine in 2022 after months of brutal Russian occupation, there have been reports that Russians deliberately hunt down and try to kill innocent civilians walking on the streets. Investigative reports and witness accounts show that this is a systemat...
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RUSSIA: The Way Russian Soldiers are Treated

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The full-scale war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, and has since stretched on for more than three years. It has been brutal — and, tragically, only more intense over time. In Ukraine, defenders are widely respected as heroes: men and women who sacrifice their lives and time with family to protect their country’s freedom and safety. No armed force is without flaws, but by and large Ukrainian fighters are supported by their units and by a society that does everything possible to care for the wounded and honour the fallen. Russia’s treatment of its troops, by contrast, has often been harsh and inhumane. Reports of beatings, torture and summary executions paint a picture far removed from the respect and support shown to Ukrainian defenders. My aim in this post is not to ask for pity for individual Russian soldiers, but to issue a blunt warning to any Russian man considering service in this war: the pay the Kremlin offers does not justify what you will face. For the sake of your life...
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EDITOR'S CORNER: Are China Controlling the Rare Earth Market?

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Rare earths are extremely important to our modern world. You can find them in batteries, navigation systems, and other critical components used in defense equipment — such as jets, bombs, and missiles, for example. China controls a large portion of this market, both in mining rare earths and especially in refining them. What is happening now, and why is China restricting access to these materials? In this blog post, let's take a look at what rare earths are, why China holds a monopoly over them, and why it is now restricting access to these resources. WHAT ARE RARE EARTHS? Rare earths, also known as rare earth elements, are a group of 17 metallic elements essential to many modern technologies. Despite their name, most of these elements are quite common — they are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust but are seldom found in concentrated deposits that are easy to mine. These elements include well-known names such as neodymium, dysprosium, and cerium, which are vital for producing...
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RUSSIA: How Well Do Sanctions Work?

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Every week, it seems, we hear that Russia is on the brink of financial ruin. "Soon they’ll have to stop the war!" or "Russia is broke!" — headlines around the world love to exaggerate how close Russia supposedly is to collapse. Since 2022, the West has imposed harsh sanctions on Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In this blog post, we’ll take a broad look at what kinds of sanctions exist and whether they’re actually working. We’ll also explore whether this is the right way to go about stopping Russia and moving closer to peace.   SANCTION ON RUSSIA IN BRIEF Since the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, Western countries have imposed some of the most extensive sanctions in modern history on Russia. These measures have targeted key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, finance, defense, and technology. Russian citizens have been largely banned from traveling to Europe, and Russian flights are prohibited from ente...
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