CLOAK AND CABINET

Since the war in Ukraine took an interesting turn from conventional warfare to drones, the question on everyone’s lips has been whether Europe should still keep investing in expensive military equipment such as tanks and jets. Cheap drones and missiles appear to be making a major difference in the war in Ukraine. So why spend so much money on traditional weapons when there is already a lack of funding in other areas? Education and health systems, after all, do not fund themselves. This week, let’s break down why conventional warfare is still very much relevant—and why Europe continues to need expensive military materiel alongside cheap drones. UKRAINE, A BIG AND FLAT NATION The war in Ukraine could initially be fought with tanks and large mechanized formations because Ukraine’s geography allows for it. It is a vast, relatively flat country with wide open fields and long land borders, which makes it suitable for maneuver warfare where tanks, artillery, and infantry can operate across la...

China is known for many things, including its rapid modernization, advanced technology sector, and its role as a global manufacturing and export powerhouse. In fact, much of the consumer goods we use every day are labelled “Made in China.” Politically, China is a one-party state led by the Chinese Communist Party, with Xi Jinping serving as its top leader since 2012. His leadership has been marked by a strong centralization of authority. At the same time, China has faced significant international scrutiny over human rights concerns, including widely reported allegations of abuses affecting its Uyghur Muslim population in the Xinjiang region. This week, I want to focus on the situation faced by these communities, whose daily lives are heavily shaped by government policies and restrictions that have drawn concern from human rights organizations around the world.   WHO ARE THE UYGHUR MUSLIMS? Certainly. For a blog post, it often works best to introduce the Uyghurs before discussing th...

As the European Union faces growing geopolitical challenges and renewed interest from countries seeking membership, policymakers have begun exploring alternative approaches to enlargement. One proposal gaining increasing attention is a two-tier membership model, often referred to as "staged accession" or a form of "lite membership." Rather than requiring candidate countries to complete the lengthy and demanding accession process before benefiting from European integration, this model would allow them to participate in selected EU policies, programs, and institutions while continuing to implement the reforms necessary for full membership. In this blog post, we will examine how this model works, why it has attracted support, and the potential advantages and drawbacks it could bring for both the EU and aspiring member states. THE HISTORY OF EUROPEAN UNION ENLARGEMENT The European Union traces its origins to the aftermath of the Second World War, when European leaders...

In the past few months, Ukrainian forces have pushed Russian troops back in several areas while grinding Russia’s offensives to a halt across much of the front. At the same time, Moscow continues to burn through staggering amounts of manpower, losing thousands of soldiers every month in exchange for minimal gains. Ukrainian drones are also striking deeper inside Russia with increasing frequency, hammering oil refineries, ammunition depots, and critical infrastructure. This includes targets hundreds of kilometers from the battlefield. Yet despite the mounting losses, recruitment shortages, and growing economic pressure, the Kremlin still refuses to seriously pursue a peace deal or even agree to a ceasefire. In this week’s post, I want to explore what happens if Putin starts to feel cornered. There are several scenarios already being discussed behind the scenes. Some are more dangerous than others. We will look at a few of them, and the possible consequences if they become reality. OVERA...