2018

The three barriers blocking Zimbabwe’s progress: Zanu-PF, Mnangagwa and the military: In an article for The Conversation, Dr James Hamill discusses the major barriers to a decisive break from the corrupt and dysfunctional political system that has been playing out in Zimbabwe
Even if separatist parties win the Catalan election, international law doesn’t provide a right to independence: In an article for The Conversation, PhD student George Revel from our School of History, Politics and International Relations discusses how voters in Catalonia will go to the polls on December 21 in an election triggered by the recent crisis over the region’s declaration of independence from Spain
''Russia is particularly adept at operations involving cyber techniques'': Dr Rob Dover discusses a recent visit of Russian special services to the USA, their relations with the overseas colleagues and the power of Russian intelligence
Jacob Zuma’s demise is bad news for South Africa’s opposition parties: In an article for The Conversation, James Hamill discusses how Zuma’s departure is good news for the ANC and bad news for the opposition
Poland is trying to rewrite history with this controversial new holocaust law: In an article for The Conversation, Dr Svenja Bethke suggests that only by confronting the difficult and painful aspects of the past can we understand how to prevent events like the Holocaust happening in the future
Europe (and immigration) among the new Eurosceptics in the 2018 Italian elections: Populist ‘elites vs the people’ narratives are playing upon rising Euroscepticism and concerns about immigration, argues Dr Simona Guerra from our School of History, Politics and International Relations
Evaluating Salisbury: Dr Rob Dover discusses the poisoning of the former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal in the Salisbury case
Zuma trial means that his toxic legacy will haunt South Africa for some time: James Hamill discusses how Zuma’s presidency may be over, but his toxic legacy seems likely to haunt the ANC
Macron’s railway reforms: the ultimate test for French trade unionism: In this blog Dr Heather Connolly reflects on the on-going strike action in France. Railway trade unions have begun three months of rolling strikes from April-June 2018 against reforms to their employment rights. The outcome of this dispute will be decisive for the government and its ability to make further reforms, and for the very future of the French trade union movement
How antisemitism slips beneath the radar on left-wing social media: In an article for The Conversation, Dr Daniel Allington from our School of Media, Communication and Sociology discusses how the Labour Party continues to face difficulties in responding to accusations of anti-Semitism against its members
The Argentinian fight against neoliberal mega mining: In an article for The Conversation, Dr Paula Serafini discusses the fight against mega mining in Argentina and Latin America
Remembering South Africa’s catastrophe: the 1948 poll that heralded apartheid: James Hamill from our School of History, Politics and International Relations discusses how the South African election of May 1948 brought the National Party to power on a platform of apartheid
Italy and the euro: Sergio Mattarella offers a window of opportunity: In an article for The Conversation, Professor Panicos Demetriades discusses Italy’s public debt and the crisis looming over the eurozone
Turning the Screw on Counterterrorism Policy: Savid Javid’s speech – 4th June 2018: Dr Rob Dover discusses the Government's new 'CONTEST' Strategy for Countering Terrorism
Sajid Javid’s plan to declassify MI5 information on terror ‘suspects’ sounds like trouble: In an article for The Conversation, Dr Chris Allen from our Department of Criminology discusses issues surrounding the government's revised counter-terrorism strategy (Contest)
China and the US are racing to develop AI weapons: In an article for The Conversation, Dr James Johnson discusses how disruptive technology is fundamentally reshaping global security, and potentially laying the ground for a US-China conflict
Turkey’s three-dimensional populism, three leaders and three blocs: In an article for Open Democracy, Dr Omer Tekdemir discusses Turkey's upcoming election
Trump’s claim that Europe is ‘losing its culture’ is racism – and it must be challenged: In an article for The Conversation, Dr Chris Allen discusses comments recently made by President Donald Trump
“Hipster Fascists”: The Normalization Of The Radical Right Isn’t Just Happening In America: Dr Chris Allen discusses how, just as neo-Nazis in America have tried to rebrand themselves, the same is happening with the Generation Identity (GI) white supremacist movement in Britain
Two narratives are being spun about Zimbabwe’s poll. Which one will win the day?: In an article for The Conversation, James Hamill discusses how winners and losers are both trying to win the West’s support for their view
Trump’s Space Force isn’t as new or as dangerous as it seems: In an article for The Conversation, Dr Bleddyn Bowen discusses how a new name on a few military badges doesn't imply an escalating arms race
Explainer: what’s driving the demolition of 4000 buildings in Nairobi: In an article for The Conversation, Dr Sean Avery explores how riparian zones are meant to be a vital part of Nairobi's drainage system - but they've been built on
Brexit: what has to happen in UK and EU parliaments to ratify withdrawal and future trade agreements: In an article for The Conversation, Professor Katja Ziegler discusses the Brexit draft Withdrawal Agreement
No-deal Brexit: preparing for nuclear fallout influenced how government plans for worst-case scenarios: In an article for The Conversation, PhD Candidate Joshua McMullan discusses no-deal Brexit
Why the ANC itself is the chief impediment to Ramaphosa’s agenda: In an article for The Conversation, James Hamill discusses the political atmosphere in South Africa
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