Author: The Editorial Team

Chile — a developing but upper middle-income country with a GDP per capita of more than 17000 USD— has huge development potentials. Chile has in the meantime improved its economic, political and other conditions that provide better living conditions at present. While Chile has significant potential for renewable energy, especially solar and geothermal power, and lithium extraction, its growing technology sector, increasing investment opportunities and strategic location can make it a gateway to South America and foster development in economic and other aspects. Among others, Chile’s stable political environment and strong commitment to innovation have the potential to make it an attractive…

The violations of civilian rights have turned out to be a concern in the Sudan civil war. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, Sudan’s warring parties have committed various human rights violations against civilians. By this time, thousands of civilians have been killed in the war that has been going on for around two years between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) without any indication of its end soon, and many women were raped in Sudan, one the poorest countries in the world, creating criticism from different organizations and…

Armed conflicts in Somalia are a concern. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, many armed attacks have been carried out by several rebel groups including Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency for almost two decades, leading to thousands of deaths and displacements in Somalia. To end the conflict, former Somali President Hassan Sheikh declared total war against al-Shabaab after the group staged a deadly hotel siege in Mogadishu in 2022 that killed at least 21 people and wounded more than 100. Though this step initially raised hope for the ending of conflicts in…

Turkey and the PKK reached a ceasefire deal. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, the government of Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party reached a ceasefire last month after its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan — who established it in 1978 — called on the movement to lay down its arms and dissolve. This is a good step and has prospects for ending the conflicts that have so far killed over forty thousand people and reaching peace. But it remains unclear whether there will be lasting peace between the parties and how much there will be…

Drastic cuts in foreign aid by the United States have led to criticisms. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation, the United States temporarily paused its foreign aid especially which is given through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to more than one hundred countries last month to review it and — after the completion of its review —  terminated around 5,800 USAID awards in February, though it issued a waiver for many of its foreign aid programs. But given that the US foreign aid provided through the USAID is drastically cut permanently, there will be various impacts…

Elections observers — both local and international — play a crucial role in elections in many countries. Without election observers, who oversee elections and help ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process help deter electoral fraud and provide an independent assessment of the election’s integrity in different countries, it is often difficult to ensure free, fair and credible elections. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, along with local election observers, international observers oversaw elections in many democratic and less democratic countries including Venezuela, Germany, the Philippines, Ecuador and Ivory Coast in the past. But…

Guatemala — an upper-middle income country with a GDP per capita of more than 4500 US dollars — has huge development potentials. Guatemala has improved its income opportunities, educational facilities and other aspects that improved the living standards of its people. Because of its rich natural resources, growing industries including the coffee industry and a large domestic market, it has development potentials in economic and other terms that can facilitate human development further. Among others, its favorable strategic locations and diverse biodiversity and cultural heritage can also help attract foreign direct investment and enrich tourism. With proper investment in sustainable tourism and…

The leaving of the three member states from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) — a regional alliance that promotes economic integration among 15 West African countries and plays a vital role in bringing peace to the region, along with addressing various political problems — has led to concerns. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso formally left the vital alliance in January this year after a yearlong process. This is surely a huge blow to the ECOWAS, which was established in 1975 and is considered Africa’s…

Rebel conflicts have raised concerns in Colombia. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Netwerk, conflicts between the two rebel groups such as the National Liberation Army (ELN) and dissident factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) Frente 33 have been going on in the northern Colombian region of Catatumbo — a key cocaine production hub and criminal hotspot along the Venezuelan border —for several days. The conflicts have in the meantime led to more than 80 deaths and the displacement of more than 32000 people. But it remains unclear whether the rebel conflict…

Drowning is a concern in many countries. According to multiple sources including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network, more than 40 people drowned during a festival in September 2024 in several states in India, where thousands of people drown every year. But drowning also takes place in many other countries including — but not limited to —Guyana, Micronesia, Thailand, Mozambique and Vietnam, leading to thousands of deaths every year across the world, many of which are avoidable. Drowning is also increasing in different countries including the United States. Despite the rising awareness of drowning, which mostly takes place…