Protest against the Chinese government’s persecution of Uyghurs. In November, two documents were leaked detailing chilling evidence of the mass detention and onslaught of violence by the Chinese government against Muslim Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region of China. This series of documents is the most recent evidence revealing this brutal crackdown on Muslim ethnic … Read more
“World Travelers and Collectors” exhibit at the Southwest Virginia Museum. What do the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and Hoa Hakananai’a have in common? They are some of humanity’s greatest treasures, and they are all housed in the British Museum. But none of them are British creations. In fact, each was taken from their original … Read more
When President Donald Trump ordered hundreds of U.S. troops out of the Kurdish controlled region of Syria, a global chorus criticized the move as a coldhearted abandonment of a loyal ally who played a pivotal military role in reclaiming land from the Islamic State (ISIS). This sudden shift in U.S. policy pushed the Kurdish-led Syrian … Read more
A Tale as Old as Time Catalonia’s push for independence is far from new. The region enjoyed great autonomy until General Franco’s regime, during which its sovereignty was ruthlessly and repeatedly violated. The fall of Franco revitalized Catalan autonomy under the 1978 Spanish constitution– autonomy which was furthered by a 2006 statute which even described … Read more
This March, Cyclone Idai swirled toward the Mozambican coast from the Indian Ocean, an alarming boil of colors crossing weather channel screens. When it touched land, it reached levels of intensity that solidified its place in recent history as the worst weather-related disaster to strike the Southern Hemisphere. The damage left in the storm’s wake … Read more
The 2016 Somaliland Independence Day Parade in the capital Hargeisa. To most, a functionally independent country that lies in the northern part of modern Somalia with a separate government, education system, and even a coast guard would be something out of a fantasy novel. However, Somaliland, hidden on the Horn of Africa, is exactly that. … Read more
Team of firefighters responds to forest fire. Since early August, international concern has been raised over recent fires in the Amazon rainforest, especially in Brazil under Jair Bolsonaro’s pro-business administration. Despite the severity of the situation, however, experts say it is not wholly unique, and is theoretically manageable. However, during the fires’ coverage and international … Read more
As the Amazon rainforest began to burn in early August, the news spread quicker than the flames; everyone would come to know of the unfolding tragedy. The forest burned along with Brazil’s reputation, Earth’s oxygen, and climate change efforts. A home to countless species and the indigenous population, from the onset, it was clear … Read more
The Holy Defense Museum in Teheran. Since assuming the presidency, Donald Trump has dramatically increased political tensions with Iran. On May 8, 2018, President Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Under the JCPOA, widely known as the Iran nuclear deal, Iran had promised to stop enriching weapons-grade uranium … Read more
Hong Kong City. “Unwavering support” and waning freedoms On October 1, 2019 – National Day in China – Hong Kong didn’t catch China’s celebratory mood. There were fireworks and guns fired, but these weren’t celebratory fireworks or a gun salute. These fireworks were ones lit by protestors; this gun was used not in salute but … Read more