How Contemporary International Public Policy is Shaped by the Legacies of Colonialism
The aftermath of colonialism is evident in the contemporary political landscape which shapes international public policy and helps in understanding conflicts in the world.
In this research paper, Tahoora Kamran uncovers the legacies of colonialism through three cases—the French colonial pact; Belgian rule in Rwanda; and neocolonial governance through the IMF and the World Bank—all of which ultimately indicate the traces of colonialism and showcase the importance of using a postcolonial lens.
Examining the Rising Islamophobic Sentiments in Europe
In recent years, Europe has witnessed a disheartening rise in Islamophobia, imposing far-reaching consequences on individuals, communities, and societies as a whole. Europe’s Islamophobic wave has led to Muslim communities experiencing an immense amount of discrimination, hate crimes, and marginalization. When it comes to Islam, freedom of speech has been reduced to an excuse for committing hate crimes.
Fatimah Naeem provides a comprehensive analysis of the causes and consequences of Islamophobia in Europe, and the responses to it. She aims to foster awareness and understanding of this multifaceted issue to encourage constructive dialogue and efforts towards a more tolerant and inclusive European society.
Riots Put France in Chaos
As a result of the police shooting of a 17-year-old boy, hundreds of thousands of people flocked to the streets across France to protest the situation.
Fizza Batool notes that France’s predicament is complicated and multidimensional since it encompasses law and order, public safety, human rights, social justice, and national identity.
Questioning the Sovereignty of the Baltic States
France, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were outraged that China’s ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, would question the sovereignty of Ukraine and all former Soviet Republics, including the Baltic republics.
Mr Lu’s statements have crumbled the confidence in China to serve as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine. Additionally, his remarks imply that the former Soviet Union nations lack legal standing in the eyes of the international community.
The Pension Fiasco in France and the UK
President Macron’s decision to bring pension reforms in France has been met with displeasure from the citizens who find the increase in the legal retirement age—from 62 to 64—particularly concerning.
Such resistance, in Maryam Jilani’s opinion, is in sharp contrast to the UK’s silent submission of the discriminatory gender pension gap.
The French labor strikes are effectively mobilizing citizens thus showing the strength and hold of the unions.
President Macron’s Possible Trip to China
France and its allies in the EU made the decision to stand by Ukraine as soon as the Russia-Ukraine conflict started on 24th February 2022.
According to sources, French President Emmanuel Macron believes that his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, could act as a mediator to stop the large-scale land conflict from resuming in Ukraine.
Macron plans to visit China in April to reportedly discuss trade and energy issues, as well as the wider ramifications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Franco-Prussian War of 1870
The Franco-Prussian War or the War of 1870 is often deemed by historians as the conflict that shaped modern Europe. It was a confrontation between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia that took place from July 1870 to May 1871.
The war was a battle of politico-territorial interests where the unconsolidated German states aspired to unify and create a powerful German nation-state. France, however, fearful of encirclement and alteration of the balance of power, aimed to maintain its status quo as the major European power.
French Troops Withdraw From Mali and Burkina Faso
France’s decision to pull out its troops from Mali and Burkina Faso has created a security vacuum, and since both countries are known for the high rates of jihadist violence, concerns are growing about the impact that the withdrawal may have on regional security.
Adam Abass seeks to understand the reason why the security partnership between France and these two countries is deteriorating.
The Irony of Europe’s Burqa Ban
Where some nations mandate veils and the burqa, there are others that forbid it. Haniya Ali reviews the legislation and policies outlawing the burqa in a few European countries that are seemingly free—and “champions of human rights”— i.e. Denmark, France, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland.
Napoleon Bonaparte: The Devil in Disguise
Revered for his military prowess and contributions to the French Revolution of 1789, Napoleon Bonaparte has been considered no less than a hero by some. The de facto leader of the French Republic as First Consul from 1799 to 1804, and then Emperor of the French, from 1804 until 1814 and again in 1815, Napoleon’s ambition was second only to his lack of empathy. Sharing the same view as his critics, Adeena Noor exposes Bonaparte’s cruel and unscrupulous ways.
The Politics of the Veil in France, India & Iran
Maryam Jilani studies the narratives of women’s emancipation and agency in three countries: France, India, and Iran. While the three of them have dissimilar geographical, cultural, and political climates, one common feature would be the weaponisation of veiling and how it is used to marginalise and discriminate against specific fractions of the population.
The French Revolution of 1789
In this article, Asma Chaudhry explores the events that led to the French Revolution of 1789, the fall of the monarchy in France, and the emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte as the Emperor of France.
How Britain’s Policy of Appeasement Led to the Second World War
The Second World War had horrendous impacts on the entire world. The war destroyed entire cities and took the lives of 70-85 million people. Besides the Treaty of Versailles, the policy of appeasement adopted by Great Britain and France played a prominent role in initiating World War II. The author, Mohammad Mudasar Laghari, elucidates that this appeasement, reflected in the 1939 Munich Agreement, was the reason behind Germany’s greed.
The AUKUS Pact and Its Impact on Regional & Global Politics
The author, Muhammad Hamza Tanvir, intends to apprise the readers of the AUKUS pact – a trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – and the impact it has on Sino-Australian relations. This article also examines what this pact would mean for the Southeast Asian region while analyzing the impacts of this deal on ASEAN, QUAD, and NATO.
A JCPOA for the Growing Israeli Nuclear Weapons Program
Israel is a nation involved in uranium enrichment programs – just like Iran. While these programs are not acknowledged by the Israeli government, expert opinions confirming these statements are available. The author argues for a framework (like the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action i.e. the Iran nuclear deal) for Israel’s quietly escalating nuclear projects.
How French Colonialism in Africa Never Ended
Through the example of the Franc of the Financial Community of Africa (CFA franc), the author argues that France is practicing a form of neo-colonialism in Africa. France ensures this euro-backed currency for the 14 states part of the CFA franc zone—12 of these states are former French colonies. In return, it demands 50% of their foreign reserves to be deposited in the French treasury. Moreover, France has maintained a presence in the banks established for the implementation of the CFA franc policy, giving it control over the financial and exchange rate policies of the former colonies.
The Rising Tide of Islamophobia in France
In the last decade, Islamophobia has been on the rise in France. The situation worsened after the French president, Emmanuel Macron, called Islam a “religion in crisis”, defended blasphemous caricatures, and declared that he would make Islam “compatible” with French republican values and liberate it. The author notes that although the French government claims that it introduced policies like the hijab ban and the religious disassociation in schools, offices, and public areas, to curb radicalism, separatism, and Islamism, they marginalized the entire Muslim community in France. The author asserts that France witnessed a 53% increase in religious violence last year, and if the gap between the French Muslims and the rest of France continues to increase, the Muslim population will become easy targets for terrorist organizations.