What does Kim Jong Un stand to gain from his meeting with Vladimir Putin?
Sep 18, 2023 06:29 am UTC| Insights & Views
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly offered his full and unconditional support to Russian President Vladimir Putin during his visit to eastern Russia this week. Analysts speculate this could mean ammunition...
Russian and North Korea artillery deal paves the way for dangerous cyberwar alliance
Sep 18, 2023 05:54 am UTC| Politics
Russia is currently firing some 14 million shells a year in Ukraine. They are only manufacturing 2 million. The Ukrainians, on the other hand, are firing around 2.5 million shells a year, but are also struggling to source...
Why AUKUS is here to stay, despite looming roadblocks
Sep 18, 2023 05:51 am UTC| Politics
AUKUS is a defence agreement among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States designed to deter Chinese power in the Indo-Pacific region. The agreement both reflects and reinforces larger strategic shifts in...
Jokowi is right not to join 'BRICS' for now – but the alliance is still important for Indonesia
Sep 02, 2023 04:01 am UTC| Politics
Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 24 to attend the 15th BRICS summit, an informal grouping of five major emerging nations: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South...
Why the United States will have to accept China's growing influence and strength
Sep 01, 2023 01:45 am UTC| Politics
After wrapping up a recent four-day trip to China, United States Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told a media briefing: We believe that the world is big enough for both of our countries to thrive. While optimistic,...
Ukraine war: the implications of Moscow moving tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus
Sep 01, 2023 01:38 am UTC| Politics
Russia is reported to have deployed nuclear weapons in Belarus, a step that was much telegraphed earlier this year and recently confirmed by Poland. This move has caused concern in neighbouring countries and has affected...
Brics expansion: six more nations are set to join - what they’re buying into
Aug 25, 2023 08:00 am UTC| Politics
One key outcome of the 15th Brics summit, hosted by South Africa, is the decision to invite six more countries to join the group with effect from January 2024. They are Argentina, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and...
Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility
Economist Chris Richardson on an ‘ugly’ inflation result and the coming budget
Biden administration tells employers to stop shackling workers with ‘noncompete agreements’
Labour can afford to be far more ambitious with its economic policies – voters are on board
IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects