Analysis

It is not all about Narendra Modi. And that might not be a good thing.

31 May 2019 -

It took the nation six week to get voting boots into less than 2 km from every one of the 900 million people who were eligible to vote. In the end about 600 million did vote, and on May 23th, the verdict was released. Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was able to win 303 seats of 543 in the Lokh Sabha, an increase of 21 seats ove ...

Analysis

Female empowerment: Big steps for Belgium, small steps for women

24 April 2019 -

In international studies, Belgium scores quite well in terms of gender equality. ‘That said; this is the situation on paper. In reality, we see that gender equality is not the core business of the state, and there are a lot of informal rules making things less rosy, less of a feminist paradise.’

Analysis

Switzerland by the sea

5 March 2019 -

According to the UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Switzerland ranks 20th in the world in terms of the number of ships owned, but 15th in terms of the number of ships scrapped on beaches. “The percentage of Swiss ships that ended up on the beach is almost 100%. That puts Switzerland in the top 10 of global dumpers,” said ...

Analysis

Asia Bibi and Pakistan´s Great Win Against Bigotry

11 February 2019 -

After spending eight years of solitary confinement in an 8f x 10f death cell, Asia Bibi (51) has been declared innocent. She was released from jail after a three-member Supreme Court bench cleared her of all the charges of blasphemy on October 31, 2018 and a review petition was categorically dismissed on January 29, 2019.

Partidul Social Democrat from Romania (cc-by-2.0) / S&D

Analysis

Social democrats voted in favour of sanctions against Hungary. What about autocrats in their own ranks?

12 September 2018 -

The European Parliament historically voted to launch a sanction procedure against Hungary. A similar procedure against Poland for undermining the rule of law is already launched. This time it was the parliament that launched it. Members of Orbán’s own European People’s Party voted against him. Would the Social Democrats in the Euro ...

Analysis

Did two Belgian nationals fall victim to Rwandan death squads?

11 September 2018 -

Two citizens of Bruges have died in South-Africa under suspicious circumstances. The family of the first victim, Thomas Ngeze, points the finger at the Rwandan State. The family of Pieter-Jan Staelens, the second victim, has doubts about Rwanda’s part in the two deaths. To anyone who has ever been into contact with Rwandan secret services, th ...

Analysis

Pakistan's steady drift towards international isolation

27 February 2018 -

The Financial Action Task Force, a global watchdog against money laundering and terror financing, has decided to put Pakistan in the “grey list” of the countries with deficiencies in Countering the Finance of Terrorism (CFT) and Anti Money Laundering (AML). The FATF shall formally announce this decision in June 2018 after receiving repo ...

Analysis

Asma Jahangir: The Legacy of Courage and Hope

17 February 2018 -

She was personified defiance, courage, dedication, grace and dignity. Commonly seen as, the 'bravest of the brave hearts', she was called, 'Asian Hero' by Time Magazine and 'Pakistan's Aung San Suu Kyi' by Newyorker. She defied dictators, challenged mighty establishment, exposed secret agencies, antagonized extremist outfits and blasted patriarchal ...

Analysis

Returning Afghans might be politically rewarding, it is also life threatening

9 February 2018 -

Nine European countries forcibly return Afghans, and Pakistan is even threatening to force 1.5 million Afghans back to their country of origin. These politically motivated manoeuvres can be lethal -for the Afghans.

Analysis

Congo’s violent peace

26 January 2018 -

Kris Berwouts presented “Congo’s violent peace”, a lecture at IOB Conference “Pathways to peace and drivers of democracy in the DRC” on January 23, 2018.

Analysis

The Iran Nuclear Deal Must be Here to Stay

4 October 2017 -

Whilst the US extended the sanction relief to Iran on the 14th of September, Trump still threatens to declare Teheran non-compliant with the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The inspections executed by the International Atomic Energy Agency earlier this month deny Trump’s allegations that Iran would have violated the conditions of the Nuclear Deal. If ...

Analysis

Artificial glaciers for a Himalayan desert: solution or hype?

21 September 2017 -

From disappearing caps in Greenland to receding glaciers on Mount Everest, ice is the most visible symbol in the debate over climate change. In the high-altitude Himalayan region of Ladakh - located in the volatile Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir - ice is more than a rhetorical concern.