John-McCabe-Grey-Zone

Contesting the Grey Zone

It is with a heavy heart that the United Kingdom must now reckon with sustained confrontation from modern revisionist powers—some far larger than itself, some far more underhanded. The ‘grey zone’ of warfare has been stretched in scope and in potential for tenacity; tensions rise unreconciled by any commensurate appetite for escalation, while technological advance …

CANZUK-BIGA-Dai-Johnson

The Commonwealth of CANZUK: The Case for the UK

Photo: Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street The United Kingdom finds itself torn between its closest allies. Whether it’s an increasingly subsidiary and powerless role compared to the United States or the difficult political relationship with the European Union, the ability to exert influence in the diplomatic sphere is strained. If future American administrations perceive any …

Britt-AI-Sexism

Encoding Inequality: Why Global AI Governance Must Confront Sexism

Author’s Note: This article focuses primarily on sexism and the disproportionate consequences of AI for women, it goes without saying that these technologies also affect other marginalised communities disproportionately. Applying a gendered lens to Global AI Governance, naturally also requires recognising and acting on this fact.  ‘The brave new world we are hurtling towards reflects …

KFOR-Confrontation-Alastair-Nicol

Confrontation and Conflict in the Western Balkans

Today, the Western Balkans seems like a region at peace. Tourists flock to the Croatian coast while more adventurous types travel further inland to the mountains, monasteries, and rakia-filled towns of Montenegro, Macedonia, and Bosnia. Left out of that list is the unresolved reminder of NATO’s final 20th century intervention: Kosovo-Serbia. Much of the news …

John-McCabe-Trilateral

Brussels Sprouts, Bilateral Shoots

Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by John McCabe, a Master’s graduate from St Andrews with a background in International Relations. Be sure to follow his work here. The shifting tides of 2025 herald fresh, rejuvenating efforts in alliance-building for, and between, the traditional European powers. The catalysts are many, but this year’s …

Kosovo_Vesa_Shatri_Intervention

Britain’s Pivotal Role in Kosovo’s State-Building

Editor’s Note: This piece is brought to you by Vesa Shatri, a former intern at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Kosovo as well as a former intern with the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies. “To those who say NATO is striking at a sovereign nation without justification, I say it is Milosevic who scrapped …

Winter-Fuel-Allowance-Alastair

Fuelling the Winter of Discontent

No one can deny that contemporary politics is vicious, volatile, and nasty. Israel has increased its genocidal and illegal attempt to take control of Gaza after briefly kidnapping activists like Greta Thunberg in international waters; US marines were brought in to manage riots prompted by ICE’s detainment strategies; and NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that …

Alastair_Nicol_Wargame

‘The Wargame’: Review and Reflections

Author’s Note: I’d like to apologise for my recent hiatus. I have been running this website while searching for employment and recently, I have accepted an internship abroad which has kept me busy. I am looking to maintain and grow this project, but my commentary pieces will be written on a fortnightly basis and possibly …