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AMERICA: The End of Democracy?

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It has been a month since Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, and it has felt like the most exhausting month of my life. Unfortunately, I doubt I’m alone in feeling this way. Trump entered office amid a storm of controversy, swiftly signing Executive Orders and upending the global status quo—something we’ve discussed before. However, his unexpected shift in policy toward Ukraine has taken many by surprise. In this blog post, I want to share my thoughts on the events of the past few days. What would a U.S. withdrawal from Europe look like? Is America drifting toward Russia and turning its back on Ukraine? A FLIPPED SCRIPT The U.S. and Russia met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to begin potential negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. However, Ukraine was notably absent from the table, and the U.S. appeared to treat Russia as the victim in this war of aggression. The talks led nowhere, leaving European allies confused and Ukraine deeply uneasy. The U.S. de...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Europe, a State in Flux?

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A great deal has unfolded over the past week at the Munich Security Conference, leaving both Europe and Ukraine in a state of uncertainty. The U.S. has signaled a more isolationist stance, even threatening to withdraw military troops and funding from Europe. This shift puts the security framework that Europe has relied on since the end of World War II and the Cold War on increasingly shaky ground—with no clear alternative in sight. In this blog post, I want to examine what this new, more aggressive U.S. position means for Europe and explore potential paths forward. AMERICA WILL NOT PAY! The Trump administration, led by the world's wealthiest man and a real estate mogul, is increasingly obsessed with cutting costs, hoarding funds, and boosting U.S. coffers. While every country grapples with inflation and rising living costs, slashing expenses at the expense of global influence and long-standing alliances is reckless beyond measure. Yet, this is precisely what Trump and his cronies, ...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Can Europe Trust China?

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In an era of Trump economics and threats of tariffs looming in the near future, Europe faces a pressing question: can it trust China and build a closer economical relationship? As the world’s second-largest economy, China plays a crucial role in global trade, technology, and diplomacy. Yet, its authoritarian governance, human rights concerns, and aggressive geopolitical strategies make its reliability uncertain. While economic ties between Europe and China have deepened over the years, tensions remain over security, human rights, and supply chain dependencies.  This blog post examines whether Europe can afford to trust China, weighing economic pragmatism against strategic caution. EUROPE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA    Europe’s relationship with China is both intricate and dynamic, shaped by deep economic ties and persistent political tensions. China is the EU’s second-largest source of imports and a crucial trading partner, particularly in technology, green energy, and manu...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Navigating Trump’s Turmoil in Europe

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It has only been a few weeks since Donald Trump took office as the 47th President of the United States, yet the global stage has already been turned upside down. The media is overflowing with stories about him, each more outrageous than the last. From undermining democracy in the U.S. to claiming he will take over Gaza or broker some wildly unrealistic peace deal in Ukraine, the sheer volume of it all is overwhelming.   This week, I want to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters in this increasingly Trump-dominated media landscape. In my view, Europe must remain laser-focused on Ukraine. The growing danger is that a so-called "peace deal" with Russia could ultimately mean a "war deal" for Europe.  THE FORCE OF DONALD TRUMP Hate him, love him, or simply tolerate him, Donald Trump is now the President of the United States. He swept into office on a wave of outlandish promises, got elected, and is now bulldozing through Executive Order after Executive Or...

WARFARE TECHNOLOGY: Fiber Optic Drones

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Drones have firmly established themselves as a staple of modern warfare, accounting for a significant portion of battlefield casualties and effectively serving as a pseudo flying infantry. The ominous buzz of drones overhead instills fear in soldiers hunkering down in foxholes, a testament to how drone technology has drastically reshaped modern combat. However, traditional drones remain vulnerable to electronic warfare, as they can be easily jammed. Enter fiber optic drones—tethered aerial systems connected to ground stations via fiber optic cables. These drones provide uninterrupted communication, secure data transmission, and extended operational time, making them invaluable assets in combat scenarios. This blog post explores how fiber optic drones work, their advantages and drawbacks, and their expanding role in modern military operations, particularly in active war zones like Ukraine. An example of a HIGHCAT tethered drone ( Picture credits: HIGHCAT) HOW FIBRE OPTIC DRONES WORK Fib...

EDITOR'S CORNER: The Shadow of Donald Trump

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On January 20th, 2025, Donald J. Trump was sworn in for his second term as President of the United States. Unlike his first inauguration in 2017, which left much of the world uncertain about his leadership style, this time, global leaders, markets, and political analysts had a clearer sense of what to expect—yet significant uncertainties remain. From trade wars to shifting diplomatic alliances, Trump’s return has already begun reshaping the global order.   Coinciding with this major political event, the World Economic Forum in Davos took place last week, bringing together leaders from business, politics, and finance to discuss pressing global challenges. However, much of the conversation at Davos was overshadowed by Trump’s renewed influence.  As the world reacts to his return, many are asking: What will Trump’s second term mean for the future of geopolitics, global markets, and America’s role in international affairs?   Donald Trump in his first term official p...

EDITOR'S CORNER: Does Investing in Defence Encourage War?

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This week, I want to delve into an intriguing topic that recently caught my attention. It’s the idea that prioritizing investments in defense over peace initiatives might drive nations toward preparing for war rather than fostering peace. The well-known Latin phrase, “Si vis pacem, para bellum,” meaning “If you want peace, prepare for war,” captures this paradox. There’s a clear rationale behind why countries allocate significant resources to acquiring cutting-edge defense technology, sustaining well-trained and well-equipped military forces, and developing robust defensive infrastructures. Yet, it begs the question: does this focus on defense inadvertently undermine efforts to preserve peace and maintain stability?   UKRAINE AND GAZA PUSHING COUNTRIES TO ARM The recent wars in Ukraine and Gaza have made one thing clear: strong defense systems play a huge role in keeping nations secure. This lesson is especially relevant for smaller countries like the Baltic states, which have a lo...