India’s development of a ballistic missile system is threatening the credibility of Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent. To regain its credibility, Pakistan is improving its nuclear arsenal, quantitatively and qualitatively, which might lead to an arms race. Additionally, a more developed Indian BMD system would incentivise both India and Pakistan to conduct a nuclear first strike during a conflict.

The impact of Brexit five years ago is difficult to fully analyse and further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it appears that it had significant negative effects on the British and European economies, although the trade disruption impacted the EU less.. Additionally, Brexit has proven unlikely to cause a domino effect of dissolution within the UK or the EU.

The rise of globalisation and the new mass society has coincided with the decline of left-wing parties in Western democracies. The left seems devoid of a distinct political trajectory to tackle the voters’ primary concerns, notably the economy, and immigration. Moreover, it has shifted away from its foundational struggles, advocating for civil rights while overlooking growing disparities in income and wealth distribution from labour to capital. This has paved the way for the resounding predominance of right and far-right parties, which have successfully attracted electors from traditionally left-leaning groups, such as unskilled and low-income workers. These trends will be examined by analysing the root causes of the political movement's decline and exploring potential avenues for its revival.

The Marea Verde (Green Wave) is a feminist movement that emerged in Argentina and spread across Latin America, addressing gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, and reproductive rights. Symbolised by the green handkerchief, it achieved key victories like the legalisation of abortion in Argentina (2020), Colombia (2022), and Mexico (2023), reframing women’s safety and autonomy as central to human security. The movement has influenced international policy, driving GBV recognition in the United Nations (UN) Universal Periodic Review and shaping gender-sensitive approaches to conflict resolution, such as Colombia’s 2016 peace agreement. Despite significant opposition from conservative forces, religious institutions, and state pushback, the Marea Verde continues to grow, proving the transformative power of collective action in challenging systemic inequality and advancing a more just, inclusive future.

The Russia-Ukraine war has taken a dangerous turn after North Korea decided to deploy troops alongside Russian forces to fight against Ukraine. Some argue that North Korean assistance to Russia will lead to North Korea’s development of more lethal missiles and nuclear capabilities in the future.

This article explores Elon Musk’s role in Donald Trump’s new administration, where the tech mogul has been appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after heavily backing Trump’s campaign. Musk’s prominent and influential presence has sparked speculation that he could overshadow the new President in office. The DOGE, however, reveals significant shortcomings and appears more like a containment to restrict Musk's political action rather than a genuine promotion.

For the decision makers of today, it is clear that space is but another arena of international tension. Various diplomatic channels and treaties continue to safeguard the different powers’ clashes against more fatal crises or conflicts, but the reality is that the military Research and Development (R&D) continues to utilise space programs for defensive and offensive weapons alike. The 1983 Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) was the steppingstone of the United States’ (US) counteract against the space and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) nuclear threats; there are even those who argue that it would need some degree of resurrection. This article aims to retrace and comment on the past and present implications of the SDI and its grounding on the warfighting domain of space.

Deepfakes, a sophisticated form of artificial intelligence, are increasingly blurring the line between reality and fiction. This technology has serious implications for political disinformation, as it can be weaponised to manipulate public opinion and erode trust in the media. Deepfakes have already been used to target public figures, create divisive narratives, and compromise national security, raising concerns about their potential to undermine democratic processes and fuel social discord. The challenge of countering deepfakes is compounded by the rise of unfiltered content on social media platforms, where misinformation spreads rapidly. As the sophistication of deepfakes continues to advance, developing regulatory measures and reliable detection tools is essential to preserve the integrity of information in the digital age.

Once a concept confined solely to science fiction movies, human augmentation is rapidly transforming into a tangible reality. While Hollywood often portrays such enhanced humans through flashy, futuristic technology, the reality is that we are on the cusp of witnessing such innovations quite soon. Far from the realm of fiction, human augmentation is moving into the sphere of real-world applications, especially in the field of defence and healthcare.

In late September 2024, Georgia's Parliament passed a law on "family values and protection of minors," cloaked as a defence of tradition but, in reality, a severe rollback of LGBTQ+ rights. This legislation, which prohibits same-sex marriages, LGBTQ+ adoptions, and positive media representation of queer individuals, aligns with Russia's influence and the Orthodox Church’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance. As Georgia nears the October elections, populist, anti-Western rhetoric intensifies, weaponising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Pro-Russian parties leverage these sentiments to sway voters. The Georgian Dream Party, led by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, stands poised to capitalise on this, hoping to cement Georgia’s ties with Moscow and looking forward to criminalising even more LGBTQ+ communities.