Geopolits - Western Europe Archives

Class Warfare is Not Just About Money, It’s About Who Controls the Hashtags

October 4, 2024April 1, 2025

This brings us to Karl Marx, who, bless him, thought he had it all figured out with his theory of class conflict. Marx believed history was driven by the antagonism between economic classes—the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. He predicted this would all culminate in revolution when the economic interests of these groups could no longer be reconciled. While Marx deserves credit for highlighting the role of economics in social conflict, he perhaps underestimated the sheer power of cultural forces. It turns out that intellectuals, religious leaders, and media moguls can shape society just as profoundly as any capitalist or factory owner.

Keeping the Peace or Keeping Power? How the UN Stays Relevant by Prolonging Middle East Crises

October 4, 2024April 1, 2025

This, of course, is only the latest chapter in the UN’s complicated love-hate relationship with the Middle East. For decades, the organisation has been trying—desperately, it seems—to calm the region’s never-ending conflicts, but with very little to show for it. The Syrian Civil War is still going strong, despite the UN’s best efforts to broker peace talks. In fact, there have been so many special envoys to Syria over the years, it’s hard to keep track of who’s still on the job. And then there’s Yemen, where the UN keeps trying to get the warring sides to come to the table, but all it really seems to be achieving is a high score in sending humanitarian aid to devastated areas.

Categories: America / Eastern Europe and Russia / Middle East / Western Europe

Israel vs. Hezbollah: A Middle Eastern Drama of Missiles, Martyrs, and Muddled Alliances

October 1, 2024

But the real wild card in all this is Iran. So far, Tehran’s reaction to Nasrallah’s assassination has been surprisingly muted. For a regime that usually loves to threaten “severe retaliation” whenever Israel so much as sneezes in their direction, Iran has been oddly quiet. It’s like they’ve been caught off guard and are now trying to figure out their next move. Are they planning a massive revenge attack, or are they just biding their time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike? Or maybe, just maybe, Iran has realized that a full-scale war with Israel might not be in its best interests, especially with the economy already struggling under the weight of international sanctions.

Hypocrisy in International Relations is the World’s Favorite Double Standards

September 13, 2024September 13, 2024

Countries that pride themselves on being champions of human rights have barely lifted a finger to meaningfully intervene. Thousands of Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh, which has been left to shoulder the burden of this humanitarian disaster with minimal support from the very countries that love to talk about refugees and justice. Europe, the U.S., and other global powers loudly criticize the atrocities, but conveniently remain silent when it comes to putting real pressure on Myanmar. They’re too busy with trade deals and political maneuvering to actually stand by the principles they so eagerly promote. The Rohingya crisis is a glaring example of how the world’s most powerful nations are willing to let human rights violations slide when it doesn’t suit their interests.

Neoliberalism: How America Got Rich, Lost Its Morals, and Built a Delusional Deep State Along the Way

September 8, 2024September 13, 2024

The U.S. may have lost its moral compass somewhere in the neoliberal haze, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. The key to reversing the damage is remembering that not everything has to revolve around profit margins and stock prices. There’s still time to write a new story—one where collective wisdom triumphs over corporate greed, and where the American Dream means more than just getting rich while everyone else sinks.

Reimagining Australia-Bangladesh Ties from Recognition to Partnership

June 30, 2024

With an eye to fortifying its Indo-Pacific strategy, Australia seeks to expand its South Asian engagement beyond its current focus on India. Bangladesh, a nation pulsating with economic potential and a population exceeding 160 million, is seen by Australia as a potential “Asian tiger” poised for a future leap. Recognizing its strategic stake in the northeast Indian Ocean’s stability, Australia is invested in maintaining maritime security and supporting regional nations against external pressure. To this end, Australia desires to cultivate a rapport with the Bangladeshi military through targeted exchanges and educational opportunities. Furthermore, Australia is keen to assist in bolstering Bangladesh’s maritime capabilities in select areas. These endeavors represent the core of Australia’s strategic interests centered on Bangladesh.

Categories: America / Australia / Indo-Pacific regions / South Asia / Western Europe

Reassessing the Rome Statute of the ICC and the Urgent Need for Bangladesh’s Withdrawal

April 15, 2024

In recent years, Western nations have been increasingly outspoken about the issue of human rights abuses by the government in Bangladesh. Western NGOs and INGOs, often referred to as defenders of human rights, have asserted that they have documented these crimes and have urged Western governments to take action. Consequently, the Rapid Action Battalion was sanctioned by the United States. However, the US’s involvement did not stop there. It exerted its influence prior to the last general election, demonstrating a lack of support for the current government. It is evident to the US that the current ruling party of Bangladesh does not align with the US’s policy of containing China. Therefore, the US will continue its efforts to effect political change, a prospect that the members of the ruling party leader may find unwise, not only for the potential loss of state power but also for the possibility of being tried both domestically and internationally under the Rome Statute of the ICC, which the law ministry ratified without any geopolitical foresight.

The War in Ukraine and the NATO-Russia Power Play in a Comfortably Numb World

December 31, 2023December 31, 2023

The strategic rationale for NATO’s enlargement was rooted in both idealism and realpolitik. Proponents argued that expanding NATO would consolidate a Europe “whole and free,” ensuring ‘’stability and democracy’’ in regions historically susceptible to authoritarianism. However, critics contended that this rationale failed largely when the war in the Balkans broke out in the late 1990s and the enlargement was considered a provocative move, encircling Russia and undermining its regional security interests. This dichotomy between Western aspirations for a hegemonic international order and Russia’s perception of encirclement set the stage for the geopolitical discord that would eventually manifest in the war in Ukraine.

Categories: America / Eastern Europe and Russia / Western Europe

The Houthis and the Global Trend Towards Offensive Realism Redefining Resistance

December 24, 2023

This maneuver by the Houthis has precipitated a crisis in the US’s hegemonic status. America’s foremost objective has been to contain the Israel-Palestine conflict, preventing its escalation into a full-fledged regional war. However, the involvement of the Houthis, coupled with Hezbollah’s participation, transforms the conflict into a regional affair, albeit one restrained by diplomatic efforts and international pressure.

Categories: America / Middle East / Western Europe

A Geostrategic Perspective of the Decline of Hegemonic Stability Theory and Emergence of Augmentism

December 13, 2023

The proposed “Augmentation Theory” or “Augmentism” represents a comprehensive approach to geostrategy that integrates key elements from the Theory of Defensive Realism, the Theory of Balance of Power, the Theory of Neoclassical Realism, and the Theory of Liberal Institutionalism. Augmentism is a very delicate balancing act that will seek to work only on the positive and sustainable growth of international relations, not otherwise, but one that can lead an emerging power into a more secure and influential position in the global arena.