New Secretary of State Prioritizes Latin America

Photo by Aaron Kittredge

The new Secretary of State, Republican and former Florida Senator Marco Rubio, is embarking on his first overseas trip, which signals his focus on strengthening ties with Latin America. His itinerary includes visits to Panama, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, which emphasizes the importance of U.S. relationships in the region, particularly around the issue of immigration—something President Trump has said he would prioritize. 

The Secretary’s more level-headed and logical demeanor contrasts with the more combative and inflammatory style of his boss, President Trump. His approach seeks to engage in international dialogue and collaboration, a task made more challenging by tensions from moves such as the withdrawal from the World Health Organization and the Paris Agreement by President Trump. Nevertheless, his experience on Senate committees for foreign relations and intelligence positions him well to handle these challenges.

Immigration is expected to dominate discussions, with the Secretary aiming to address the root causes of migration. His immediate attention to Latin America is an immediate change compared to the Biden administration’s delayed focus on the region.

The trip also comes at a critical time for U.S. foreign policy globally. The Secretary faces pressing issues including the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Gaza-Israel ceasefire, Sudan’s crisis, and growing Chinese global influence amidst also wanting to reestablish the State Department as a central player in U.S. foreign policy, after being sidelined by both parties in the past.

This trip also sends a message against President Trump’s controversial rhetoric, such as his suggestion to “retake” the Panama Canal. By fostering dialogue and partnership, the Secretary aims to build a foundation for long-term stability and cooperation in the hemisphere.

This visit sets the tone for his tenure as a diplomat who is dedicated to advancing U.S. interests abroad. And as the first Latino Secretary of State, his leadership carries symbolic importance especially when in engaging nations across Latin American.

Do Leaders Understand Trade Surpluses?

It is difficult to keep track of all of the recent developments in economic warfare prompted by the new Trump Administration. Much of the news coverage surrounding “tariffs” does little to point out the specific economic ramifications of Trumpian ideology, and I would argue that it is because neither journalists nor politicians have a complete understanding of international trade. There are certainly economists who do, but it would seem that either they are tired of engaging the public on the subject, or the public is tired of listening to economists. It is likely a mixture of both. Nevertheless, it is at this point unnecessary to merely repeat news articles concerning “Trump’s tariffs,” but rather wholly necessary to address some specific fallacies that seem to be the premise for much of the public debate around international trade policy. 

My interpretation of the current political element to this debate is as follows: most people think that “crucial” American manufacturing jobs have been outsourced to poorer countries because companies can pay workers extremely low wages while subjecting them to extremely poor conditions, thereby reducing their costs but also hurting American workers. Therefore, to “save” American jobs, the proposed solution is to place tariffs on imports from these countries such that corporations are forced to conduct their manufacturing in the United States. 

The only problem is that, for decades now, there has been bipartisan agreement that tariffs are overall destructive to the economy and promote distrust and hostility within the Liberal World Order. In other words, that argument by itself is too easy to debunk. Thus, beginning as early as 2016, President Trump took a new angle besides the “outsourcing to low-wage countries” argument by claiming that numerous other countries are “ripping off” the United States, which shifts the “victim” in this situation from poor Chinese workers, whom the average voter cares little about, to the United States as a whole. It is from here that one can analyze the ideology that has prevailed since 2016.

First, to briefly address the fallacy of “exploitation” of workers in poor countries as the explanation for why outsourcing occurs, it must be noted that throughout history, higher-wage countries have exported to lower-wage countries, and lower-wage countries have exported to higher wage countries. In his book Basic Economics, Dr. Thomas Sowell observes that “Britain was the world’s greatest exporter in the nineteenth century, and its wage rates were higher than those in most of the countries to which it sold goods.” This reality occurs because “higher wage rates per unit of time are not the same as higher costs per unit of output.” 

The reason that manufacturing is outsourced today while other sectors are not is because the difference between labor cost per unit of time is less than the difference in output per time, or productivity, which is almost always higher in the more prosperous country because, to put it frankly as Sowell does, “There are, after all, reasons why one country is more prosperous than another in the first place—they are more efficient at producing and delivering output.” Moreover, outsourcing manufacturing has done nothing but net increase wages and standards of living in both poor and rich countries for the vast majority of workers outside those in sectors that have been import-substituted, which could include either a manufacturing worker in the US or a subsistence farmer in China who now eats food grown in Africa that can finally be sold on the world market, which increases the standard of living for the African farmer as well.  

Now, turning to the idea of “ripping off” the United States, it can be assumed that Trump is referring to when foreign countries sell their goods at cheaper prices in the United States than they do elsewhere, thereby exacerbating America’s trade deficit. They are able to do this by subsidizing their own companies or granting them some other form of favorable privileges that make American companies uncompetitive. 

This idea is especially easy to believe in the case of China. If this assumption is true, then it has been true at all times throughout world history, and at all times throughout world history that governments have attempted to increase their trade surplus through political manipulation, it has been purely due to domestic political interests and has not produced any overall economic benefit. The United States grants the most privileges to its agricultural producers of any country in the world, especially to sugar producers. Documented by Sowell, studies on American sugar import restrictions found that while they do indeed ensure that sugar is produced in the United States, they almost certainly ensure that sugar confection into products, such as candy, does not occur in the United States do the higher costs of American sugar. 

In this case of “cheating,” as in every case, it is more detrimental to the country that cheats because, in reality, the confection industry produces three times as many jobs as the sugar industry. If it is true that foreign countries, such as China, “dump” their goods on the world market at lower prices than what they sell for in China, it would seem to be common sense that to do so is detrimental to China, so it is quite possible that in many of the situations to which Trump is referring, there is no cheating taking place at all. 

Many people understand that goods cannot sell at the same price everywhere due to differences in demand, as in how much the good is needed, but many neglect that goods cannot be sold at the same price everywhere due to differences in purchasing power. China is able to sell goods so cheaply in the American market because there are so many buyers that can afford them, such that the goods can be produced, transported, and distributed at such a scale that their average cost decreases; whereas, even in China, there are fewer buyers who can afford to purchase the goods, such that every good produced to be sold within China will have a higher average cost associated with it, and, thereby, a higher price to accommodate for the fact that the company is selling that good in place that faces fewer potential buyers compared to where it could be selling it in the United States. 

It is far less costly to conduct huge shipments of innumerable goods to the US than to distribute the same goods in smaller intermittent shipments to other countries or even within China. Therefore, the fact that foreign countries can sell their goods so cheaply within the United States should be celebrated as evidence of a superior level of prosperity. This discussion also poses the irony: why would any group of people complain about having access to cheaper goods than another group of people?

That question brings the discussion to the idea of trade deficits and surpluses, or the lack thereof. Trade deficits and surpluses are merely accounting phenomena; they do not reflect any sort of economic reality concerning economic surplus or cost. There can be no such thing as a “trade surplus” because the entire purpose of trade is equal exchange. Every export to the United States must be an equal transaction—to which of course someone could respond that the other half of the exchange is currency, or American dollars, which merely goes to China. Based on that logic, are millions of Chinese walking around with American dollars in their pocket? No. It goes to the company, which in this case can be a company producing toys. What does a Chinese company do with American dollars printed in the United States of America? It spends them in the United States. Does it spend them on producing toys? No. It spends them where they belong: the areas where they produce the greatest returns, which are those areas in which the United States possesses a comparative advantage, which is likely nothing physical at all. (When economists record trade deficits, they only include transfers of physical goods and materials. Thus, they are merely accounting numbers, and as with any number in accounting, it is irrelevant without the entire picture) 

Going further, the American dollars are likely spent on the technology produced in the United States that allows the Chinese company to produce the toys, such as Microsoft software, and so long as an American company is producing technology, and the Chinese company is producing toys, the toys will be better, cheaper, and more accessible. Now, we are down to the classical economic principles of comparative and absolute advantage—principles that have been understood since the late eighteenth century. What is a primary consequence of this system? Net increased jobs. The problem is that these new jobs are likely scattered in numerous new businesses across the country specializing in areas attracting American dollars, while in the concentrated geographic area or sector that used to produce toys, there was a decrease in jobs. That sector is most certainly more consolidated or politically organized to demand protections, but it is most certainly not a large enough majority of any country to prompt all-out economic warfare.

This discussion could continue with centuries of anecdotal and statistical examples of failed international trade policy, ranging from the Hawley-Smoot Tariffs that turned a recession into the Great Depression to tariffs on steel imports in the 1980s that saved jobs in the steel industry but cost jobs in every industry that requires steel to make its products. As I was writing this blog, I saw an Amazon advertisement in which Leonardo da Vinci was attempting to build wooden airplanes, but he lacked the materials. Naturally, he placed an order on Amazon, and it promptly arrived in Florence. He was then able to design his airplanes. It is a good thing that Florence, in this scenario, did not place protections on wooden material products, or else da Vinci may have been spending his time making very good wooden beams. 

In today’s world, those materials would have come from China, which prompts the question, do world leaders want to be making wooden beams, or do they want to be designing airplanes? 

Islands Against the Tide

How the Pacific Islands Are Pioneering their Survival

The Pacific Islands face a great calamity. In August 2024,  the World Meteorological Organization reported some horrifying statistics regarding the impacts of climate change in the Pacific. In the central tropical Pacific, the sea level has risen 5-10 cm, while in the western tropical Pacific, the sea level has risen by 10-15 cm since the metric was measured in the 1990s. Furthermore, the Pacific Islands have been experiencing more frequent and more intense marine heat waves, with the sea surface temperature rising 0.4 degrees Celsius per decade since the 1980s, 3 times faster than the global average.

Despite contributing only 0.02% of all global emissions, the Pacific Islands are an apparent and unfortunate microcosm of worsening climate change and its global impacts. Rising sea temperatures and rising sea levels go hand in hand, destroying marine life, creating worsening meteorological conditions, and deteriorating the quality of water and land used for development. For this reason, some of the most significant scale climate migration comes from the Pacific, where people are often situated close to the sea level and in houses at or under sea level, gradually sinking in the ocean.

However, the Pacific Islands have not stopped their fight against the tide. Spatial information modeling and decision-making systems have been developed collaboratively by the nations of Australia, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea. These systems use radar technology like Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to map out and act upon inundation predictions, making this information ready to disseminate to local communities. 

This vital information has also helped develop infrastructure that can mitigate the effects of rising sea levels. Over time, mangroves and sea walls are being used to artificially elevate these islands, protecting the quality of the land for farming and further development. In addition, many Pacific island nations have started reclamation projects to create elevated land for housing and industry by extending land artificially. 

The strength of these efforts and others depends on constant awareness and connection. The Falepili Union and the Pacific Labour Mobility Arrangement are examples of global cooperation centered around relocating displaced individuals and providing job opportunities for workers who may have lost their industries to inundation. Furthermore, movements in person and through social media have worked to promote regional climate activism and innovations regarding this issue.

While these efforts have been practical, the long-term feasibility of this issue does come into question. Nations like Tuvalu have already worked to upload their history online, preserving their culture and their people in the face of the inevitable tide. There are lots of questions that the situation forces us to answer. The most prominent is how a nation can exist without a defined territory. However, the most important thing, and the one I would like to end this tale on, is, when the tide comes to us, will we be able to face it before it washes us away?

The Trump Administration’s Suspension of Refugee Resettlement

Among the many first-day executive orders issued by the Trump administration was another attack on refugee resettlement policy in the United States. 

According to the order, refugee admissions would be suspended starting on January 27th. However, implementation took place immediately after the order was issued, stranding more than thousands of refugees who already had travel plans. Well before January 27, the State Department canceled the travel of more than 10,000 refugees set to enter the United States. 

During his last term, Trump based a similar suspension of refugee resettlement on questionable national security grounds. This time, the executive order cites the inability of the United States to manage the strain on resources and security risks brought by the increased flows of migration as its reasoning and does not provide a date on which the suspension will be lifted.

The decades-old US Refugee Resettlement Program (USRAP) is a U.S. government program that works to resettle refugee populations in the United States. Typically, the administration would establish an annual number of how many refugees the United States would resettle that year. While the caps set for resettlement have differed among presidents over the past couple of decades, the belief that the United States had a global responsibility to take in a share of the world’s refugees was largely undisputed. 

The first Trump administration permitted significantly fewer refugees than previous and subsequent administrations. In 2020, the number of refugees admitted into the United States fell to its lowest level of 11,000 in the final year of Trump’s first term compared to 85,000 resettled under the Obama administration in 2016 and a record high of nearly 100,000 during the Biden administration’s final year. In Trump’s last term, thousands of refugees who were scheduled for resettlement in the United States were stuck in refugee camps and kept from reuniting with family. 

Many refugees, especially those still awaiting resettlement, have helped serve U.S. security interests abroad. With resettlement suspended, this could mean life or death for Afghans who worked alongside American military forces against the Taliban. This recent executive order goes against a promise made by both the Trump and Biden administrations to take in Afghan refugees who aided the United States and nongovernmental organizations in Afghanistan. There are more than 1,600 Afghans awaiting entry into the United States who are now unable to enter due to the executive order. To add to the severity, Pakistan is threatening to deport the 20,000 Afghans awaiting relocation back to Afghanistan if host governments, such as the United States, do not process their cases soon. Without seeking to offer Afghan refugees asylum, Pakistan has received hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees over the past couple of decades, and the International Organization for Migration has stated that over 795,000 have been deported from Pakistan since September 2023.

There are already efforts at protecting Afghans who aided the United States in light of the suspension. Hundreds of veterans and U.S. officials have signed a letter urging the Trump administration and congressional leaders to continue funding resettlement for Afghans who aided the United States and their families and to approve another 50,000 Special Immigration Visas.

Trump’s order on refugee resettlement not only impacts those seeking refuge in the United States. It will also affect refugee communities within the United States. The administration has suspended federal funding for refugee resettlement agencies within the United States, stripping away the ability for tens of thousands of refugees to access basic necessities, such as housing and food.

The Trump administration has left many refugees with an uncertain fate, both here in the United States and abroad. His second term so far represents a new era of support for refugee resettlement and refugee communities within the United States. Whether the executive order suspending refugee resettlement remains in place and whether the commitment to resettling Afghan refugees in our borders is upheld will bring light to this uncertainty.

Latin American Presidents Aren’t Having It:

Petro vs. Trump and the Hypocrisy of U.S. Immigration Policy

Photo by David Peinado from Pexels.

On January 26th, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and President Donald Trump engaged in a tense standoff that nearly led to a trade war between the two nations. The issue? Two military flights carrying Colombian deportees were turned away by Petro, forcing one to turn back mid-flight. The incident came days after a huge controversy over Brazilian deportees in a harrowing flight marked by mechanical failures, extreme heat, and inhumane conditions, forcing an emergency landing in Manaus. Many were outraged by the sight of deportees shackled and chained while being escorted by U.S. immigration officers on Brazilian soil, to the point that even Brazilian President Lula da Silva and his government’s ministers publicly criticized the Trump administration’s handling of the deportees as “unacceptable” and “degrading”. 

In response, Petro posted on his X account that his government would only accept deportees on civilian airplanes, ensuring they would not be treated as criminals." He emphasized that immigrating is not a crime and that deportees must be treated with dignity. His statement unleashed an aggressive response by President Trump, threatening to impose 25% tariffs on all Colombian incoming goods, which would be raised to 50% in one week, along with visa sanctions and enhanced customs and border security inspections for all nationals and cargo shipments from Colombia. 

After a tense back-and-forth of tweets between the two leaders, where Petro also threatened to retaliate with a 25% increase in Colombian tariffs on U.S. goods and claimed that Colombia is “not anyone’s colony”, Colombia backed down and agreed to all of President Trump’s terms. The alternative would have had severe consequences for the Colombian economy, given that the U.S. is its largest trading partner. Potential impacts included significant disruptions for thousands of Colombian coffee growers, devaluation of the peso, and a decline in direct foreign investment.

However, it is worth noting that even within Colombia, this standoff was highly polarizing as many praised Petro for standing up for Colombian immigrants, while others criticized the double standards underlying his refusal to cooperate with right-wing authoritarian figures like Trump, while openly cooperating with left-wing dictators like Nicolas Maduro. Some argue that political pressure within Petro’s government was the real reason behind his decision to back down from the threats.

The situation suggests that Colombia was the first country to be openly humiliated by the new Trump administration. It’s unfortunate that when a government calls for its people to be treated with dignity and respect, this administration responds by threatening to destroy their economy. From my perspective, this situation raises a crucial question: Does President Trump view Latin American nations as strategic allies, or are they simply seen as problems to be dealt with, with their people unworthy of dignity or respect?

It’s unreasonable to dismiss Petro’s and Lula’s petitions as exaggerated, as they are simply asking for fair and respectful treatment of their deportees, especially considering the xenophobic and racist rhetoric that has characterized President Trump’s mass deportations. In fact, it was recently revealed that among the 200 deportees who returned to Colombia on Tuesday were two pregnant women and more than 20 children. Notably, none of its passengers had criminal records in the U.S. or Colombia. 

This hostile narrative has been backed by the administration’s stand on policies against immigrant communities. It is no secret that President Trump ran on a protectionist and xenophobic campaign that singled out the immigrant community as the source of all the nation's problems. This administration has relentlessly demonized the immigrant community in the United States, despite the significant contributions they have made to the country. It is well known that the construction, agriculture, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing industries rely heavily on immigrant labor, not to mention the social, cultural, and academic contributions that these immigrants and their children have made to the country's progress. However, the use of terms like 'illegal aliens' dehumanize an entire population, portraying them as criminals in order to justify their unfair treatment. This perspective ignores the blatant hypocrisy of harshly persecuting foreign criminals while granting special treatment to white criminals, particularly those who tend to storm government buildings in insurrection attempts. 

Don’t think that these actions won’t have consequences for how the U.S. is perceived in Latin America. Growing discontent towards Americans has been simmering for a long time over the unprecedented migration of U.S. citizens to the region. Yes, I’m talking about gentrification. Characterized by your everyday Digital Nomads and Passport Bros that move to Mexico City, Costa Rica, San Juan, Medellin, and other Latin American destinations to take advantage of the devalued peso, while raising the cost of living and displacing locals, but failing to contribute to the host nation’s economy in the same way Latino immigrants contribute to the U.S. Many of them don’t even have a legal status in the country they are in, according to a recent address by Petro, in Colombia alone, 15,000 Americans are living in the country without authorization. 

So, my question is, should they be treated the same way? Put on military airplanes, chained at their hands and feet, and being profusely humiliated by a foreign government when all they wanted to do was a better life for themselves? 

In case you’re wondering, the answer is no. 

Because no one should be treated so horrendously solely based on their immigration status. 

Now, add this to the administration's disregard and disrespect toward the Latino immigrant community, and it should come as no surprise if another wave of anti-American sentiment arises in the region. This could also validate experts' concerns that China may step in as an alternative imperial superpower for the region to rely on.

On a broader scale, however, this administration appears to follow a longstanding trend in U.S.-Latin America relations, where countries in the region are treated as problems to be managed rather than as allies and equal partners vital to the strategic development and growth of the Western Hemisphere. The discontent is evident in the resistance from Latin American leaders and their responses to some of Trump's comments and demands. 

In the case of Mexico, this dynamic is evident in several instances. President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to the threat of tariffs by asserting that their relationship with the U.S. is “one of equals”. Her administration also categorically rejected U.S. accusations of cartel links within her government, instead arguing that if any such alliance exists, it is in the United States gun factories that sell high-powered weapons to these criminal groups. She even poked fun at the absurd renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

Similarly, Honduran President Xiomara Castro pushed back against Trump’s mass deportation plan, threatening to expel a U.S. military base that has existed in the country for decades. Furthermore, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded to Trump’s suggestion of reclaiming the Panama Canal by kindly reminding him that the sovereignty and independence of Panama are non-negotiable and that every square foot of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zones belongs to Panama.

This joint resistance by Latin American leaders, particularly from the left, makes me wonder if these countries will be able to resist the mistreatment of their people in the U.S. or if they will continue to be forced to comply with Trump's agenda through highly dangerous and disruptive economic threats. 

Ultimately, this standoff between Petro and Trump demonstrates the imbalance of power in U.S.-Latin America relations, where economic leverage is weaponized to force compliance. While Petro’s attempt to demand dignity for Colombian deportees was outstanding, the backlash and severe retaliation from the U.S. demonstrated how little room Latin American leaders have to push back without facing economic devastation. The broader resistance from regional leaders suggests a shifting dynamic, but whether this defiance will lead to meaningful change, or simply more coercion remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the mistreatment of immigrants reflects a troubling disregard for human dignity that will have uncertain consequences as the Trump administration continues to attack its neighbors and closest allies. 

Trump’s Executive Order Halts Foreign Aid Programs, Sparks Global Uncertainty and Potential Power Shift

On January 20th, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order halting most foreign development assistance programs. This executive order comes as the Trump administration aims to shift foreign interaction towards an “America First” agenda, highlighting that much of the foreign aid dispersed to countries goes towards initiatives that do not directly benefit the United States.

In 2023, the United States was the largest donor of humanitarian aid at around 9.5 billion dollars, almost 7.5 billion dollars more than the European Commission, the second largest donor. Aside from continued military and food assistance to Israel and Egypt, programs providing crucial aid to many countries have been halted for a 90-day review period. This abrupt suspension has induced panic in people and organizations domestically and globally.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the largest U.S. government entity for development work, has been hit hard. Within a week of the order, roughly 400 internal contractors were laid off at USAID because of the stop-work order. It is expected that more employees at USAID and contracted agencies will be furloughed.

Many countries who receive assistance from U.S. government funding are scrambling to find ways to compensate for this new gap. Michael Schiffer, a former USAID assistant administrator, wrote in an article that without USAID, “Children will die. Our national security will erode. America’s alliances will suffer. U.S. partners will be at risk. And America’s enemies will rejoice.” 

Effects of the stop-work order have already impacted Al-Hol, a Syrian displacement camp housing mostly women and children. Security, water, and sanitation efforts in the displacement camp have been paused and the threat of instability and violence is high. This cause and effect is not specific to Al-Hol with the threat of violence in displacement camps expected to grow.

Ending foreign development assistance programs will have drastic effects, leaving other world powers, such as China, an opportunity to create alliances with countries who once worked closely with the United States. 

Global Econ-Insights #4: Trump’s Treasury

Donald J. Trump: profiteering persecutor, or economic exemplar? With the man who has been America’s greatest bane for some and knight in shining armor for others over the past decade recently being re-elected, there is no better time than now to unpack the economic implications of his second term of presidency. From analyzing Trump’s last several speeches, policy decisions, campaign actions, and even humorous gestures, I can confidently say that Trump’s presidency will likely have strong global financial consequences in regard to numerous major monetary policy mechanisms.

There are numerous tax policies which Trump has promised to implement. While pushing his economic and political agenda from 2025 onwards, Trump has proposed upwards of a 60% tariff on Chinese imports and 10% to 20% tariffs on imports from all other countries. Trump’s significant inflation of the tariff percentage for China reflects his Western biases and anti-oriental political views. By deliberately putting nations like China at an economic disadvantage among the United States’ multilateral relations, he is undeniably attempting to keep the U.S.’s hegemony while putting a strong power clamp over China’s power. This, in his mind, is the key to the U.S. reigning supreme in the global economy. Additionally, his anti-immigration tactics shine through via his announcement of a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, the two nearest nations known for “burdening” the U.S. with large asylum-seeking numbers. What he doesn’t seem to realize is the broad-based economic implications of his own proposed tax and tariff policies. Domestically, these drastic increases in tariffs are predicted to significantly increase inflation across the entire U.S. These localized consequences will then trickle down into a domino-effect-like phenomenon which will likely inhibit economic growth in all major foreign countries that depend on American consumers for a significant chunk of their own fiscal revenues. Then, inflation will decrease as these American consumers become less willing and able to purchase foreign goods, and this will have a disproportionately harmful effect on China, especially due to the vast importance of the manufacturing sector to its economy, weakening the value of the Chinese yuan just as Trump intends. 

While Trump’s anti-oriental rhetoric will most certainly translate into strong hegemonic economic policies on the part of his administration, certain subsets of foreign countries, particularly those in Europe, will likely suffer less by comparison. The U.S. inflation impact on the European economy will be minimal, as exports only make up around 3.2% of the continent’s overall GDP. Even with such high tariff increases, Europe’s service sector makes up 80% of its GDP, and this particular industry is known to be especially invulnerable to economic shocks from such monetary policies.

With that in mind, it must be made clear that Canada, Mexico, and China must watch out for Trump’s new trade penalties. According to Wending Zhang of Cornell University, Canada and Mexico would still feel the impact of these shocks to their economies much more severely than China due to their relative overreliance on the American consumers’ market. Trump himself told reporters, “You see the power of the tariff. Nobody can compete with us because we have by far the biggest piggy bank.” Trump is hedging his bets that raising such tariffs will not have major negative inflationary effects on the U.S. economy, yet it should be clear that even if it does, his political tactics will likely enable him to evade any sort of blame game that would potentially put himself at fault for such financial harms to the country. Either way, it is time for foreign countries to start gearing up for what could be an economic resource war, and thankfully, that is exactly what they are doing right now.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is endorsing a $900 million border plan to help Ottawa prepare to respond to Trump’s retaliatory tariffs and counteract the effects of U.S. penalties. Similarly, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicized her intentions to reduce illegal border crossings and combat the illicit fentanyl trade around the U.S.-Mexico border. She is also vocal about her preparations to respond to Trump’s tariffs, citing a “Plan A, Plan B, [and] Plan C for what the United States government decides.” 

In conclusion, while the Democrats are currently working to use the legislative process as a means of hampering Trump’s ability to impose these tariffs without the endorsement of Congress, we still need to do more. Beating Trump from the inside out is politically infeasible when the current makeup of the Congressional body is far Republican-leaning in both the House and Senate. The better strategy, in my opinion, would be to independently advise and facilitate the preparations of foreign countries like China, Mexico, and Canada to prevent the potentially globalized harms of such large-scale economic shocks resulting from Trump’s proposed trade, tax, and tariff policies. 

Cold War 2.0: Arctic Edition

In the minds of many individuals, the Arctic is just a freezing desolate wasteland, home to polar bears, RedBull snowsports athletes, and the occasional doomed expedition. But thanks to climate change, this icy hellscape is melting at nearly four times faster than the global average. Because of this, many countries and corporations are begging to see what's beneath the Arctic’s seemingly endless mantle. The arctic is estimated to contain 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of its untapped natural gas. Also, because the icebergs are melting, new shipping routes, especially in Canada’s Northwest Passage and Russia’s Northern Sea are opening up so you can get that pink and white Stanley cup with little gold flecks even faster. These climate induced changes have raised tensions among powerful global players such as the United States, The Russian Federation, China, and Arctic nations like Norway.

Climate change is stoking flames in the region and setting the stage for a theater of great power competition. Since the beginning of the Cold War, the Arctic has been an avenue of approach to the homeland. Soviet bombers would fly over the Arctic to strike America. Even today much of US missile defense infrastructure is in the Arctic. Russia currently holds about 50% of the Arctic coastline and has heavily invested in military bases and nuclear icebreakers (a really big boat that can cut through the frozen arctic waters). The US is lagging a bit behind in arctic investment and currently only has two icebreakers (Russia’s got 40…). The geopolitics were also further altered following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which caused two Nordic states, Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership. The arctic is an important priority for NATO because the north atlantic and the arctic would be the point for North American supplies flowing to European allies in a crisis.

Increasingly, countries outside the Arctic have become more active in the region, and China has called itself a “near-Arctic” power. Many countries are interested in access to new sources of resources and shipping routes. China is Russia’s largest trading partner (as it is for 120 countries). China has invested nearly $90 Billion into energy and resource projects in the Arctic over the past decade. Increased activity by China and Russia in the arctic are indicative of “great power competition in global spaces.” The next few years are prone to see increased activity in the Arctic as countries scramble to get a slice. The great powers are coalescing and I feel that a security dilemma could be brewing.

Addressing California’s Wildfire Crisis Through Economic, Social, and Climate Policies

On January 7, a fire broke out near the Skull Rock Trailhead along the Temescal Ridge Trail in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Residents reported the incident to CBS News, describing how the fire rapidly spread across the Los Angeles region. The blaze caused widespread disruption, forcing evacuations, endangering lives, and significantly strained local resources. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, such events highlight recurring issues related to California's vulnerability to wildfires and their broader economic and governmental challenges.

Wildfires in California are not isolated incidents. The state experiences increasingly frequent and intense fires due to climate change, prolonged droughts, and expanding human development into wildfire-prone areas. According to Cal Fire, 2023 alone saw over 7,000 wildfires, burning hundreds of thousands of acres of land. These fires not only destroy property and natural ecosystems but also impose economic costs, such as rebuilding infrastructure, providing emergency services, and compensating for lost livelihoods.

The economic costs are not being effectively mitigated, as evidenced by the billions of dollars spent annually on recovery and insurance payouts. More proactive measures like improved forest management and stricter building codes could significantly reduce these costs. Controlled burns, forest thinning, and removing dry vegetation are proven strategies to lower fire risk, yet these practices are often underfunded or poorly coordinated. Additionally, stricter building codes that require fire-resistant materials and strategic zoning to limit development in high-risk areas would not only reduce the financial toll but also save lives. The state must prioritize prevention over reaction if it hopes to alleviate the financial burden of wildfires.

The economic impact of wildfires extends far beyond immediate damages. For instance, insurance claims surge after major fires, straining both residents and insurers. Also, insurance companies consistently bail out of their insurance agreements, destroying previous contracts with customers to further remain profitable. Agricultural productivity suffers when crops and livestock are destroyed, and tourism, a significant driver of California’s economy, takes a hit as travelers avoid fire-prone areas. Moreover, public funds must be diverted to emergency response and recovery efforts, often at the expense of other critical areas such as education and healthcare.

California’s approach to balancing emergency response with long-term investments in climate resilience and sustainable land use is insufficient. While the state has made strides in creating fire prevention programs, there are trade-offs that compromise other critical needs. For example, diverting public funds from education or healthcare to cover emergency wildfire response creates ripple effects that harm communities in other ways. A more balanced approach would involve sustained investments in wildfire prevention, such as upgrading infrastructure to withstand fires and expanding renewable energy projects to reduce climate change impacts, while maintaining funding for other essential services.

Wildfires also highlight broader challenges in climate policy. While state governments, including California, have been leaders in adopting green initiatives, critics argue that federal policies lag behind in addressing the root causes of climate change. Mitigating wildfire risks will require addressing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and incentivizing sustainable land management practices.

Current U.S. climate policies are inadequate in addressing the root causes of wildfires. The federal government needs to adopt more aggressive measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions, such as implementing a nationwide carbon tax or cap-and-trade system. Additionally, funding for renewable energy projects and sustainable agriculture should be significantly increased to address systemic environmental issues contributing to wildfires. Policies incentivizing regenerative land management practices—like reforestation and soil conservation—are also crucial for creating long-term resilience against climate-driven disasters.

The social impacts of wildfires should not be overlooked. Marginalized communities, who often lack resources to recover, are disproportionately affected by such disasters. Housing insecurity, loss of employment, and limited access to government aid can exacerbate existing inequalities, raising questions about the equity of disaster recovery programs.

The government’s disaster recovery programs are neither equitable nor sufficient. Low-income and vulnerable populations often face barriers to accessing aid, such as complex application processes, inadequate outreach, and insufficient financial support. To better serve these communities, recovery programs should be streamlined and include targeted assistance, such as housing subsidies and job training for displaced workers. Additionally, establishing community-based recovery hubs that offer localized support and resources can ensure aid reaches those who need it most. Integrating equity into disaster recovery planning is essential for addressing the long-term social impacts of wildfires.

Resisting and Reinventing: Identity, Media, and U.S.-Mexico Relations

The UNC Journal of Foreign Affairs blog has the pleasure of publishing this longer-form guest blog post by UNC student Aaliyah Mitchell, who studied at El Colegio de Mexico in Mexico City over summer 2024. The article has been slightly modified from its original format, and was written for a class titled “El Norte/ La Frontera in Ten Essays.” The original bibliography can be found at the bottom of this article.

Photo of Pre-Hispanic dancers chatting after a performance, by Aaliyah Mitchell

In the Borderlands, where cultures fuse and harden into new cultural identities, we feel the spirit of the pachuco—cloaked by defiance and suspended between the pull of Mexican roots and the promise of what it means to be United Statsian. It is equally the emergence of the new mestiza, navigating the labyrinth of duality and forging her existence from the collision of two plains. The Mexican identity is alive! It is forged by the fires of revolution, shaped by the waves of reformation, tested by the trials of migration, and vividly alive through every unique exchange at the U.S.-Mexico Border.

As Mexican identity evolves, media plays an undeniable role in shaping public opinions by influencing how identity, migration, and crime are perceived. This piece combines two perspectives: the cultural dynamics of identity, as explored through the works of Octavio Paz, Gloria Anzaldúa, and Carlos Monsiváis, and the role of media in shaping narratives of migration and crime in Mexico, drawing insights from Ana Arjona, Enrique Desmond Arias, Rodrigo Peña, Sandra Ley, and Sergio Aguayo. These perspectives reveal how identity and narratives are forged, negotiated, and represented within the context of U.S.-Mexico interactions. 

The Cultural Dynamics of Identity

Identity, at its core, is deeply personal; yet, relies on external perception. It is the blend of values, language, tradition, and experiences that shape how people and communities view themselves and how they are viewed by those around them. Language, as a fundamental aspect of cultural expression, plays a pivotal role in this dynamic; it serves not only as a mode of communication but as a reflection of heritage and identity. The phenomenon of Spanglish, a hybrid dialect and arguably its own future language, exemplifies how language can evolve in response to cultural, geographical, and/or social pressures. Spanglish represents a unique linguistic adaptation that blends languages to navigate the complexity of a diverse cultural landscape.

The pachuco represents cultural orphanhood, the internal conflict between maintaining cultural heritage and integrating into American society. Pachucos, characterized by their distinctive behavior and unique dialect known as Caló, represent the struggle to maintain identity with unrelenting pressures of Americanization. Octavio Paz’s The Labyrinth of Solitude highlights this tension, noting that the pachuco has “lost his whole inheritance: language, religion, customs, beliefs,” leaving only a body and soul to confront societal elements (Paz 17). Similarly, figures like Tin Tan transformed the pachucos image into one of cultural negotiation, bridging the gap between Mexican and American identities. As Carlos Monsiváis writes, Tin Tan’s humor and charm redefined the pachucos as an endearing character rather than a threatening figure of urban legend. This transformation from a symbol of defiance to one of cultural negotiation highlights how the pachuco has evolved to represent the nuances of cultural hybridity.

Photo of the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City, by Aaliyah Mitchell

Gloria Anzaldúa’s concept of the new mestiza in Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza describes individuals living at the intersection of multiple worlds—a sort of nepantla or in-betweenness that transcends geographical boundaries. Anzaldúa employs the metaphor of a turtle, carrying “home” on its back, to illustrate how cultural identity serves as both a source of strength and struggle (Anzaldúa 21). This metaphor resonates with modern Latinx communities advocating for bilingual education and cultural representation. These initiatives aim to honor cultural roots while preparing individuals to navigate a multicultural landscape, emphasizing the dual role of cultural preservation and integration. In this way, the United States is both the melting pot and the salad bowl—melting cultures into a cohesive mass while preserving distinct cultural elements.

An additional layer of identity is seen in language’s adaptability across generations. For instance, Latinx youth often embrace Spanglish as a bridge between their heritage and the predominantly English-speaking society they inhabit. Some Spanish-speakers in the United States claim Spanish as their mother tongue, despite some having been born or raised in an English-speaking society. This linguistic flexibility highlights the ongoing negotiation of identity. Scholars have noted that this phenomenon fosters a hybrid cultural framework where both languages influence one another. Such adaptations ensure that cultural heritage is not lost but rather transformed to reflect contemporary realities. 

Media and the Narrative of Migration

Media portrayal can either humanize migrants or depict them as threats to social and economic stability. People migrate for many reasons: asylum, opportunity, family reunification, etc. Not all migrants are criminals, and not all migrants come with good intentions, but generalizing a group of people based on the actions of a few is unfair and overlooks the diverse motivations and contributions of each individual. The variation in coverage during the 2019-2020 migrant “crisis” illustrates this dynamic: some outlets highlighted the humanity of migrants, showing families in distress and children crying at the border, while others dehumanized them, framing them as criminals and robbers of “American jobs.” Similarly, language choices in headlines, such as “crisis” or “invasion,” frame the discourse in ways that influence public opinion and policy outcomes. This dichotomy influenced policies, such as the U.S. Migrant Protection Protocols, which required asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while their claims were processed. These policies placed immense pressure on the Mexican government to manage large migrant populations.

The media also shapes perceptions of crime, particularly organized crime and its connection to migration. Enrique Desmond Arias’s Criminal Enterprises and Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean explores how sensationalist reporting focuses on dramatic arrests and violence, diluting the complexity of criminal activity and its socioeconomic roots. Falko Ernst’s studies further show how such portrayals lead to ineffective policies, such as increased militarization, which fails to address underlying issues like poverty and marginalization. By focusing on spectacle rather than substance, media narratives can distort systemic problems and hinder meaningful solutions. Moreover, media coverage often overlooks the resilience of migrant communities. Stories that highlight migrant-led initiatives, like festivals, conferences, and rallies, are rare but essential. These narratives challenge stereotypes and generalization to provide a more balanced view of migration. In that same vein, highlighting immigrant-owned businesses that bring flavor and artistry to their communities could foster greater empathy and understanding, counteracting divisive ideals.

Media Coverage During Crises

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated vulnerabilities among migrant populations and highlighted the challenges of accurate media representation. Rodrigo Peña’s research on criminal governance during the pandemic reveals how organized crime groups exploited the crisis to strengthen their control. Often through coercion, they provided what the government couldn’t: stability, food, and resources, typically under the condition that these citizens would become involved or indebted to them. Media coverage during this period often sensationalized these developments, overshadowing the systemic issues at play.

Sergio Aguayo’s The Zeta Yoke offers another perspective on how media coverage during times of crisis can shape public discourse and criminal governance. Aguayo explains how journalistic sensationalism can obscure systemic issues, such as the relationships between criminal organizations and political actors. In the defense of journalists, when faced with the daunting task of reporting quickly, accurately, and under constantly changing conditions with limited access to reliable information, it can be extremely difficult to report as accurately and comprehensively as possible. Even so, it was and is absolutely necessary to have more nuanced and comprehensive media coverage that can influence more fitting and effective public and political responses. 

While on the topic of the journalistic shortcomings during the pandemic, it is important to have context. Reporting on sensitive topics like migration and crime with accuracy can be difficult for journalists who are reporting on their lived experiences or, adversely, have little-to-no connection with the subject matter. Reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones in a podcast titled The Half Truths About Lynching discusses the idea that objectivity in journalism is a myth, as you cannot write about something you are not aware of nor can you completely remove yourself from what you have experienced. She emphasized that the only way to combat this phenomenon is with rigor. Our view of the world is shaped by our personal, lived experiences, and it takes rigor to broaden that view through research, hard work, and the willingness to be understanding. Additionally, journalists also work under dangerous conditions, facing threats from criminal organizations and government actors. These working conditions can limit the scope and depth of coverage, leading to reporting that lacks context and critical analysis or focuses on irrelevant or inaccurate material. The media has a responsibility to balance the need for compelling stories with the ethical necessity to report accurately and fairly.

The pandemic also highlighted how media can either exacerbate or alleviate social tensions. Reports that focused on the struggles of migrant workers during lockdowns, for instance, brought attention to their essential contributions but often failed to advocate for systemic change. In contrast, investigative journalism that exposed corruption or inefficiencies in government responses provided a crucial accountability mechanism. These examples underscore the dual role of media as both a reflection of societal values and a catalyst for change.

Synthesizing Identity and Media Narratives

Photo of Pre-Hispanic dancer posing, by Aaliyah Mitchell

The interaction between Mexican and American cultures, as well as the media’s role in shaping perceptions of migration and crime, highlights the complexity of identity and governance. Octavio Paz’s exploration of the pachucos and Gloria Anzaldúa’s concept of the new mestiza highlight the fluidity and resilience of cultural identities. With this, the media must strive to reflect this complexity by avoiding sensationalism and generalization. Ultimately, Mexican identity and the perceptions surrounding migration and crime are not static constructs. They are living entities, shaped by cultural exchanges, media representation, and the policies they inform. By understanding these dynamics, we can work toward a more nuanced and equitable approach to identity and governance in the Borderlands and beyond. Simplified and sensationalized media coverage, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic can lead to policies that do not address the truly alarming causes of crime like poverty and marginalization. The integration of cultural insights and media analysis is essential for fostering dialogue and policy that reflect the realities of both migrant and host communities.

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Works cited

Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books, 1987, pp. 1–24, 77–91.

Paz, Octavio. The Labyrinth of Solitude. Translated by Lysander Kemp, Groove Press, 1961.

Monsiváis, Carlos. Mexican Postcards. Translated by John Kraniauskas, Verso, 1997, pp. 106–118.

Rascoe, Ayesha. “A New South Florida Dialect Is Forming in Real Time.” NPR, 18 June 2023, www.npr.org/2023/06/18/1182941050/in-south-florida-a-new-dialect-is-forming-in-real-time. Accessed 30 July 2024.

Aguayo, Sergio and Dayán, Jacobo (2017). The Zeta Yoke. Mexico, El Colegio de México.

Arjona, Ana; Kasfir, Nelson; Mampilly, Zachariah (2015). 'Introduction' in Arjona, Ana; Kasfir, Nelson; Mampilly, Zachariah, Rebel Governance in Civil War. New York, Cambridge University Press.

Desmond Arias, Enrique (2017). Criminal Enterprises and Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Ernst, Falko (2015). 'Legitimacy matters: Los Caballeros Templarios and the mutation of the Mexican organized crime', Journal of Money Laundering Control.

Wallace, Lewis Raven. (2019, November 4). The view from somewhere: The Half Truth about lynching on Apple podcasts. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-half-truth-about-lynching/id1481617425?i=1000455962172.

Half a Day: The Uncertain Future of Immigration Under Trump

Photo by David Peinado.

Half a day. 

On January 20th, Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. And in just half a day, as news outlets globally will tell you, he wasted no time making executive orders, doing good on his campaign promises to his supporters. 

So what’s one of the many things at the top of the agenda? 

Immigration.

President Trump is arguably notorious for his harsh take on immigration, especially at the Mexico-United States border. Despite decades of strides toward cooperation and integration between the two nations at the hands of previous administrations, Trump has claimed that building a wall between the countries, “is not even a difficult thing to do” – and his 2016 campaign was built on the slogan of creating one. 

While the wall wasn't built on January 20th, the nation took significant steps backward regarding immigration and cooperation. 

With a quick visit to whitehouse.gov, you can find that a national emergency at the Southern border was declared. This will result in an increased presence of armed forces at the border, additional physical barriers, unmanned aerial systems, and revisions of current strategies. Using words like “criminal gangs,” “known terrorists,” “human traffickers,” and “smugglers” to describe all immigrants who cross the border, Trump declared that “America’s sovereignty is under attack.” He went on to state that at the hands of illegal immigrants, American women and children are murdered and Americans are terrorized beyond control. 

Food for thought: according to a 2024 study by the National Institute of Justice, “undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes and a quarter the rate of native-born citizens for property crimes”. 

The national emergency is just the beginning. Key issues like birthright citizenship, the 'Remain in Mexico' policy, the federal death penalty, refugee resettlement, and the potential designation of cartels as terrorist organizations are all on the table for Trump’s agenda over the next four years – signaled clearly within his first half day in office.

This half-day has already set the tone for an administration with plans to upend decades of immigration policy. Trump’s rhetoric and actions signal a shift toward greater division, painting immigrants with broad and damaging strokes. For the millions of immigrants who call the United States home – many of whom contribute to the nation’s economy, culture, and communities – this moment ushers in an uncertain future.

The implications extend beyond border security, as debates over human rights, legal protections, and America’s identity as a nation of immigrants take the stage. How the next four years will unfold remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the lives of millions hang in the balance, and this administration’s policies will have lasting consequences not only for immigrants but for the soul of the United States itself.

Martial Law, Impeachments, Protests…What Was Going on in South Korea?

National Assembly Building, Seoul, South Korea. Photo by Annika Deshpande, September 2025.

On December 3, I was spending the night in my dorm room in Seoul, South Korea, when my phone suddenly lit up with messages and calls from friends and family back home. Opening them I saw variations of the same message: “OMG, are you okay? I just saw the news!” 

The news? I open my phone and do a quick google search and read the headlines. Sure enough, South Korea was under martial law. It was shocking and almost impossible to believe. Martial law is when civilian rule is substituted by military authority and typically occurs during times of war, rebellion, natural disasters, or other types of unrest. Yet none of that was happening in South Korea. 

The next couple of hours were filled with confused messages back and forth, as both local Koreans and foreigners attempted to understand what was happening. Then, at around 4 a.m., the martial law was lifted as abruptly as it had been imposed. By morning, life resumed as normal. Local South Koreans went to work and me and the other students went to our classes. 

While the declaration was short lived, it plunged the country into a political crisis that continues to this day. South Korea now faces an uncertain future as a nation that once prided itself on its rapid democratization appears to have backslid into the first major political crisis since the 1980s. 

What happened after Martial Law was declared?

South Korea and the rest of the world watched stunned as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law citing the “threat of North Korean forces.” For the next 6 hours scenes of chaos erupted outside of the National Assembly building. Crowds gathered around the assembly building to protest the declaration as truckloads of armed police forces came to monitor the situation and stop lawmakers from entering the building. Scuffles broke out between the police and crowds. Lawmakers from the opposition party went through great lengths, even as far as climbing fences to get into the buildings to overturn the decision. Around 1 am the lawmakers voted to lift the law and at 4 am, President Yoon agreed to honor the parliaments’ decision and lift the martial law. In the coming weeks, South Korea saw multiple changes in leadership, impeachment charges, and many days of protests and clashes.  

Following this, mass protests erupted as the opposition and the public called for Yoon’s impeachment. Initially, the impeachment vote failed after members of Yoon’s party believed he should have a chance to resign. However, Yoon refused to resign, and firmly maintained that he was acting in the country’s best interests. Therefore, eventually lawmakers from Yoon’s own party joined in impeaching him. Yoon also became the first sitting leader to be detained from criminal questioning as he has been accused of initiating an insurrection. After Yoon’s impeachment, prime minister Han Duck-Soo served as the acting president, only to be impeached two weeks later! Han’s impeachment came after he refused to appoint three-justices to the nine-member constitutional court. Han believed that this would overstate his authority but he accepted the impeachment and stepped down. This move only furthered the political chaos and uncertainty in the country. The move to impeach Han almost feels as if the opposition party went on a power trip, refusing to let anyone stand in the way of their goal to officially remove Yoon from office. Yet if this is true, then it means the political stability of the country was disregarded. As the chaos continued to ensue, the Korean won continued to plummet until it reached the lowest level to the dollar since 2009. 

Yet the drama does not stop there. 

At the end of December, a court ordered the arrest of Yoon for his attempt to declare martial law. The arrest warrant came after Yoon repeatedly refused summonings to be questioned by the court. However, when the police arrived to try to arrest Yoon from his home, they were met with a six hour long standoff against hordes of his supporters. The police eventually gave up the arrest attempt which kicked off a month-long standoff between Yoon’s supporters and security forces and the police, while Yoon remained holed up in his home. These protests were vastly different then protests earlier in December, which called for Yoon’s impeachment. The fervent of the supporters also seemed to mirror the behaviors seen in the US during the past election. Finally, after a month, Yoon was arrested to the dismay of the thousands who had gathered around his house. His supporters were so upset by the arrest that they broke into the Seoul Western District Court and began to riot.  

What does the rest of the world think?

This crisis also dealt a significant blow to South Korea on the global stage. When President Yoon first took office, he made strengthening Korea’s position internationally a major priority. However, after this debacle, several of South Korea’s allies expressed disappointment over what they perceived as a restriction on democratic principles. The United States expressed serious concern about the situation, while Japanese lawmakers canceled a planned visit to Seoul. 

This is significant because President Yoon had been advocating for a stronger trilateral partnership among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea to form a strong force in the region with their sense of democratic ideals being the binding force. However, South Korea’s apparent political instability left these key allies unsettled and undermined the image of cohesion that had been projected to deter China and North Korea. Reuters reported that Duyeon Kim,the Center for a New American Security, said that Yoon’s international reputation as a symbol of democracy had been ruined. 

This miscalculation not only damaged Yoon’s political career, but minimized South Korea's credibility on the world stage. With a weakened image of unity and stability in South Korea comes the increased threat of North Korea. The DPRK mocked President Yoon’s declaration and likened him to a “dictator from decades ago”. While this is rather ironic coming from one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, it underscores the controversy sparked by the declaration.

Why was Martial Law so controversial?

The declaration of martial law was not only entirely unexpected but also remains a very sensitive issue for the nation. The last time martial law was declared was in 1980 by the nation’s last authoritarian leader Chun Doo-hwan. However, the degree was met by protests from students in the city of Gwangju. In response Chun sent the military to violently crack down on the protests. In what eventually became known as The Gwangju Uprising, where over 200 people had been killed in the violent protests and represented the nation’s turning point into eventually becoming a democracy seven years later. 

Therefore, for the country, especially in the city of Gwangju, the declaration felt like a sharp sting and brought back memories to the country’s dark past. South Korea has rapidly progressed both economically and democratically. From 1987 when the last authoritarian dictator, the nation has grown to be a highly functioning democracy with an increasing global presence thanks to the global Hallyu wave. However, did this crisis highlight the flaws in the nation’s democracy, or perhaps its strength? South Korea's democracy is in no way perfect. Many presidents have been jailed or faced corruption accusations. President Yoon himself was extremely unpopular and faced significant backlash over his handling of bribery accusations involving his wife. This does not reflect a very strong democracy. When martial law was first declared, many people feared this was a reflection of the country’s brittle democracy. However, the martial law might have actually highlighted the strength of the country’s democracy. While the president’s last ditch power grab failed, the citizens rapidly mobilized to fight for their democracy. In a matter of hours and then for the next couple of days, protests erupted as the South Koreans protested the decree, refusing to give up the democracy they had long struggled for. Perhaps it was the arduous nature in which the country became a democracy that has made the citizens hold on to it so strongly. Yet while the citizens may be willing to fight and hold their political executives accountable, it does not diminish the fact that many of the country’s leaders are still riddled with corruption. As South Korea continues to cement its place in the world stage, perhaps it needs to look inwards at its political leaders to ensure that this type of instability does not happen again.

So why did Yoon do it?

In seeing all of the aftermath—the political crisis in Seoul, the potential criminal charges leveraged against Yoon, the loss of credibility on the world stage—what made President Yoon utilize such an extreme measure? And did he not see the obvious consequences that would emerge in doing so? Perhaps he was driven by desperation. Yoon’s presidency was riddled with various problems from the ongoing doctor strikes, various corruption charges against members of cabinets, and investigations into his wife. Relations with North Korea are at an all time low and most of his domestic policies were being blocked by the opposition party. The situation was dire indeed for President Yoon. Yet declaring martial law during times of peace is simply unheard of and it propelled a thriving nation into political disarray. The past month has been embroiled in confusion and chaos. The situation has negatively impacted the value of the won and lowered global confidence in South Korea’s political structure. While it exposed the weaknesses in the nation’s leadership, it also showed the willingness of the citizens to speak up and protect their sovereignty and freedom. Therefore, despite the current situation, South Korea will continue to forge its place in the global stage. 

America for Whom?

Trump’s Attack on Birthright Citizenship

The United States of America has often been referred to as “a nation of immigrants,” a sentiment famously expressed by John F. Kennedy. With the exception of those of Native American descent, nearly every American has roots that trace back to other parts of the world. Central to the United States’ identity as a nation of immigrants is the principle of birthright citizenship. This idea, enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, guarantees that ‘all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.’ 

Ratified in 1868, this amendment was a direct response to the injustices of slavery and the infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, which denied citizenship to African Americans. It was a promise of inclusion at a critical moment in American history. The Fourteenth Amendment guaranteed that birth and place–not race and ancestry–would determine who could claim the full rights of American citizenship. 

Today, that promise is under direct attack. President Donald Trump has unveiled plans to end birthright citizenship through an executive order, targeting children born in the United States to undocumented parents. If implemented, Trump’s proposal would fundamentally alter how citizenship is determined in the United States, dismantling a principle that has endured for more than 150 years. The automatic right to citizenship for children born on American soil—a cornerstone of the nation’s identity—would be stripped away, leaving countless individuals in legal uncertainty. 

Ending birthright citizenship would have profound consequences, not just for individuals but for the nation as a whole. One of the most immediate consequences would be the creation of a stateless population—children born on U.S. soil who, despite their birthplace, would be denied the protections and opportunities afforded to citizens. Without the legal recognition, these individuals would face barriers to education, healthcare, employment, further deepening economic and social inequalities. This exclusion would ripple through society, creating significant challenges for public institutions. Schools and healthcare providers would struggle to accommodate a growing population without legal status, while families, many of whom lack access to legal resources, would be left to navigate an increasingly complex and burdensome system to prove citizenship eligibility. At a bureautic level, ending birthright citizenship would demand an extensive overhaul of the processes used to determine and verify citizenship. Such a system would inevitably result in delays, errors, and the potential for systemic discrimination. The strain on already stretched public resources would only intensify, fostering distrust and further alienating immigrant communities.

Because if a president can unilaterally alter such a fundamental right, what other constitutional guarantees could be next? How far can executive power go before it begins to erode the checks and balances that define a democracy? 

This effort to dismantle birthright citizenship not only threatens the rights of millions but also tests the boundaries of executive power. The Constitution, not presidential authority, has always defined the parameters of citizenship. To allow a single leader to alter such a fundamental right through executive action would set a dangerous precedent, calling into question the integrity of other constitutional protections.

The attempt to bypass this cornerstone of American democracy is not without historical context. Over a century ago, the Supreme Court addressed this very issue in United States v. Wong Kim Ark. The case revolved around Wong Kim Ark, a San Francisco native born to Chinese immigrant parents, who was denied re-entry to the U.S. under the discriminatory Chinese Exclusion Act. In a decisive ruling, the Court reaffirmed the Fourteenth Amendment’s guarantee that anyone born on U.S. soil is a citizen, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. This landmark decision has stood unchallenged for more than 125 years, solidifying the principle that birthright citizenship is not subject to interpretation but a constitutional right.

If a president can bypass this precedent with a unilateral action, it raises an unsettling question: What prevents future leaders from targeting other constitutional guarantees? The erosion of such a foundational right signals a shift away from the democratic principles that have defined the United States, replacing them with a more exclusionary vision of citizenship.

Birthright citizenship is more than just a legal doctrine–it is a symbol of the nation’s promise of inclusion and equality. 

Then, the question comes to mind: 

So, America for whom? 

What’s Next For Syria?

Photo by Ahmed Akacha.

It seemed as though everyone had forgotten about Syria. Dictator Bashar al-Assad’s brutal rule, marked by political repression and violence against his own citizens, had largely faded away from the headlines as the 13-year civil war dragged on. But suddenly, on December 8th of 2024, rebel forces overwhelmed Damascus and Assad was forced to flee. So what happens now? The fall of the Assad regime presents a historic moment for Syria to reinvent not only itself, but its broader role in the region and on the world stage as well. With this great opportunity, however, there are certain risks. A new US administration, regional actors with varying geopolitical aspirations, and a diverse coalition of Syrian leadership, to name a few.

So why does this matter? For starters, Syria is an important strategic access point to the Mediterranean, notably for Russia. Occupied with their war in Ukraine, they were unable to provide much support to Assad. Iran was also too focused on conflicts with its proxies in Lebanon and Gaza to prevent Assad’s fall. Moving forward, the direction that new Syrian governance takes will somewhat determine the extent of continued Russian and Iranian influence.

From a humanitarian view, 6.2 million refugees around the world will be pressured to return to a devastated economy, where there is a lack of housing and infrastructure, ongoing violence, and a group with jihadist roots seeking legitimacy to govern.

This group is HTS, initially an affiliate of al-Qaeda but has since revoked, at least publicly, its formal ties to the terrorist organization. HTS rhetoric has been mostly positive, with promises of democratization and inclusivity of Syria’s many religious and ethnic minorities. However, they have also stated clearly that a formal constitution and presidential elections are still years off. This, according to Foreign Policy’s Zaid Al-Ali, is actually pretty reasonable; Syria is still territorially divided, many refugees have not returned or are internally displaced, and violence still persists in many parts. More coherence and stability will be needed before any substantive governance decisions are made or systems put in place.

HTS has also made clear that the international community will not be involved in the drafting of a new constitution, when the time comes. However, this is not to say that foreign governments, particularly in the Gulf, will not want some say in state building. If an Islamist state is the outcome, the promise of respect for minority groups is unlikely to hold.

There have already been some early warning signs pointing to this: the interim education ministry has proposed no longer teaching evolution or the Big Bang theory, and changing the phrase “Defending the nation” to “Defending Allah”. Of course, there are many Syrians who would welcome this change, but there is no doubt that Syria’s heterogeneous population will require reform in the democratic direction to function cohesively, not reform in the other direction.

From a US standpoint, there is a lot that can be done. Former President Biden could have removed the designation of HTS as a terrorist organization, but instead left it to the Trump administration. This means that sanctions relief may not be in Syria’s near future. Removing the terrorist designation from HTS will be a crucial first step, if it ever does occur, but it is reasonable to suspect that Trump will not want much to do with Syria’s reconstruction after that point anyway. While there may not be political motivations, there are certainly strategic reasons for Trump to consider engagement, such as preventing an Islamist state from gaining influence, reducing refugee pressures on European allies, and countering extremism through democracy.

The path forward for Syria will depend not only on US engagement, but also on the internal collaboration of opposing interests within a diverse Syrian society. This opportunity for growth and repair after such incredible devastation will not be easy, and it will ultimately be up to the Syrian people to decide the direction of their new country, once given the opportunity.

Xi Needs a Lesson in History

According to a Wall Street Journal report, Xi Jinping is undertaking a campaign to eradicate “capitalist excess” from the country’s financial system by replacing internationally-experienced Western financiers and bankers with party loyalists. According to the report, “Xi believes the finance industry has focused too much on its own profits, and should serve the Communist Party and the nation’s needs rather than the interests of bankers and their clients.” In the words of Xi, “Serving the economy is the duty of finance. If finance is focused on self-circulation and self-expansion, it becomes water without source, a tree without roots, and a crisis will brew sooner or later.” The party has opened over 500 investigations into financial sector workers since 2022, leading to frequent disappearances and expulsions. 

This strategy is consistent with Xi’s “common prosperity” campaign, as he continues to exert greater control over economic development and his idea of the “China dream,” which includes significant wealth redistribution. State-owned bank executive pay was capped and some executives were forced to return past wages while attending training sessions hosted by the Communist Party. According to the report, the deputy dean of the finance department at Shanghai Jiao Tong University “cited what he characterized as a growing perception in China that the financial industry doesn’t have value.” 

Pulling from recent history, the report notes that it was Wall Street talent brought in by China that was responsible for modernizing its financial industry and creating its asset-backed securities industry—essential prerequisites for any advanced economic development. Since 1995, the China International Capital Corporation has had Western-trained executives in senior management until today, where party loyalty is now prioritized over knowledge and competence.

The implications for the ideology behind these policies are enormous and reflect a very ignorant understanding of what fuels economic development. The banking and finance industry is essential, as it is responsible for managing risk and pooling capital on a scale that can allow for investors to take risks on new ventures. Does Xi think that technological advancement happens magically? It happens by way of an efficient financial system that allocates resources towards sectors that will bring the most returns in the future, which is exactly what Xi seeks. Otherwise, current industries will merely stagnate and further consolidate, as economic growth slows and the standard of living declines. An efficient financial system then requires very skilled executives, whose skills must come from either experience or other efficient financial systems, both of which are concentrated predominantly among Western banks. 

However, these developments are a tale as old as time. A minority that is more skilled in a particular area infiltrates a native majority who lacks such skills. Throughout history, these examples have included the Chinese in Southeast Asia, the Jews in the West, Germans in South America, and so on. When the minority begins to outperform the majority, political leaders from the majority target the sector dominated by the minority. Oftentimes, the skills in particular are indeed within finance, as, similar to China today, it is difficult for the poorer population to perceive how such a sector adds anything at all to the economy. Rather, it merely extracts. Such words could be taken directly from a Xi Jinping speech. Yet, as has been noted, that is not true: 

It is well documented how the Jews were viewed in Europe for centuries as a result of their financial skills. Yet, it was the Jews’ knowledge of finance spreading to London and New York that was able to create the modern world. In the words of Dr. Thomas Sowell in his book Basic Economics, “Like so many other things, banking looks easy from the outside - simply take in deposits and lend much of it out… Yet we do not want to repeat the mistake that Lenin made in grossly under-estimating the complexity of business in general.” Sowell cites an article from The Economist, observing that post-Communist republics were unable to operate their banking systems without knowledge of how to lend out money in a way that maximizes returns and minimizes losses.” As of 2006, according to Sowell, foreigners owned more than half the banking assets in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Estonia, Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, and Latvia. He even describes how in China, 90 percent of personal savings are deposited in state-owned banks, which lend at low interest rates with little risk to subsidize other government-owned enterprises rather than the most creative or efficient enterprises. If government-owned banks did take more risks on new ideas to earn higher returns, they would also risk bankruptcy, which would be punishing for party leaders; while in a free market, financial institutions would be forced to learn how to maximize returns while minimizing risks to survive. 

Much digression could occur on any of these points, but it is clear that Xi’s campaign falls into some very predictable patterns involving authoritarian government, central economic planning, and nativism, and none of these patterns ever lead to advanced economic growth or the realization of a “China dream.”

Shadowbanned: Unpacking the Hidden Politics Behind the TikTok Ban

Graphic created by Kayla Giset.

On January 18th, at around 10:15 P.M. EST, the bustling online world of TikTok—home to lip-syncing, life hacks, viral recipes, and political debates—suddenly went dark. The app, used by over 170 million Americans, was shut down across the United States. Users attempting to log in were met with a grim message: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.” The blackout sent influencers and users alike into a frenzy; but the chaos was short-lived. Within 12 hours, TikTok was back online as if nothing had happened. The most ironic twist? A message greeted returning users, crediting the app’s return to none other than newly inaugurated President Trump.

TikTok’s decision followed the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday to uphold a ban that received strong bipartisan backing in Congress and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in April. The legislation prohibited American companies from hosting or distributing content for the Chinese-owned social media platform unless the company was to be sold to a buyer based in the United States or a US-adjacent nation. For President Trump, coining himself as the “savior of TikTok” served as a strategic move to appeal to younger voters and leverage his first 100 days in office, arguably the most important of the first term. 

The bidding war for TikTok has become a politically charged spectacle, truly highlighting the underlying fragility of the state of the GOP. Two key groups specifically, one led by billionaire Frank McCourt and investor Kevin O’Leary, and another by AI search engine PerplexityAI, have formally submitted offers to acquire the app. However, ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, has publically remained steadfast in its refusal to sell, citing the unparalleled value of its proprietary algorithm—an innovative technique that has been met with little success on other competing platforms.

President Trump's intervention to reverse the TikTok ban appears to be a strategic move aimed at solidifying his fragile political standing. By positioning himself as the app's savior, he attempted to appeal to its vast user base, specifically younger voters, also hinting at a potential shift in U.S.-China relations. While the initial ban was meant to tackle deep-seated concerns over national security and data privacy, Trump's decision to reinstate TikTok was merely a chess move in a game of checkers to enhance his position on the domestic stage. Nevertheless, this action may introduce even more issues, as it could be perceived as undermining judicial decisions by many of his long-time skeptics, thereby affecting the coherence of legitimate U.S. foreign policy. In a world where digital platforms such as TikTok are increasingly subject to government intervention, it feels as though TikTok—and potentially other apps like it—remain perpetually shadowbanned, caught between the chess moves of over-ambitious leaders and the gray lines of international policy.

The Gamble for Greenland

Arctic Security Under a Second Trump Administration

Photo via Canva, by SarahNic on Pixabay

Donald Trump’s inauguration as 47th President raises questions about whether his recent rhetoric surrounding Canada, Panama, and Greenland will culminate in actual US economic or military policy. 

Greenland, in particular, has garnered recent attention due to its new, strategic importance as climate change opens up new sea routes and reveals previously inaccessible critical minerals. Between the indigenous Inuit population in Greenland, the NATO member of Denmark, and the DC circle, Trump sparked a debate over the future of Greenland and the Arctic region at large. While many have condemned Trump’s desire for US acquisition of Greenland, it’s equally important to hear from Greenlanders what they want their future to hold and to understand the complicated struggle between longing for independence and requiring security and assistance from more prominent nations. 

Once a Danish colony, in 1953, Greenland became a self-governing Danish territory, with ⅓ of the GDP and over half of the state budget of about $500 million yearly are still supplied by Denmark. With 90% of Greenland’s population indigenous, many harbor resentment of its former colonial power and accuse the Danes of racist and harmful programs, including a social experiment to reshape Inuit children’s identities and non-consensual birth control practices to manage Greenland’s population. Similarly, the Naleraq party, the Greenland independence party, blamed Denmark for permitting the US to build the large Pituffik Space Base on Greenland’s soil, a project that forced many villagers out of their homes.  

For these reasons, after Trump’s son visited Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, many applauded him over his condemnation of previous Danish practices. Several Greenlanders also embraced Trump’s Truth Social post that claimed “for purposes of national security and freedom… the USA feels that ownership … of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” believing that it sparked a productive national discussion surrounding independence. Many still were interested in the idea of closer links with the US sparking a tourism economy. Still, Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede claimed his opposition to both US and Danish ownership of Greenland, and the Danish Prime Minister decreed that Greenlanders alone could decide their own future. A survey shows that many Greenlanders are in favor of independence, but only if it doesn’t come at the expense of welfare, currently provided by Denmark.  

Beyond the debate over ownership of Greenland comes the wider question of security, the supposed motivation behind Trump’s case for US ownership. For Trump, securing Greenland is a way to prove his commitment to national security and broader protection from China and Russia. The Arctic’s recent ability as a mode to harness economic and military strategy also allows Trump to project power in an unprecedented way in the region. 

As climate change melts Arctic ice surrounding the island, new shipping routes are exposed, and it has become easier to mine rare earth elements, deemed “critical raw materials.” China, Russia, and the US all vie for access to these sea routes, thus supporting Greenland’s role as a geopolitical pawn in the broader chess game between China, Russia, the US, and, to an extent, Scandinavian countries. 

Trump’s claim for Greenland comes at a time when NATO members have been criticized for their unequal defense spending compared to the US. The US already has a stake in Greenland, with the Pituffik Space Base, the US’s northernmost military facility, a critical station to increase domain awareness, operate warning systems, and survey space. Greenland already has 80 years of defense cooperation history, but Trump sees potential for even more. While the Pentagon issued an Arctic Strategy that focuses on improving cooperation with northern allies, increasing training efforts, and investing in communication and intelligence, these resources have yet to be implemented. 

Citing the location of Greenland along northern sea routes used by China and Russia for military and economic practices, Trump described the ability to see Chinese and Russian ships from the mainland without binoculars. As China seeks to develop a “Polar Silk Road,” and as Russia’s second strike capability depends upon their access to the GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, UK) Gap, Trump sees ownership, or at least a greater US stake in Greenland a way to intercept economic and military expansion of both nations. 

His desire to take over the responsibility of ensuring security in the region insinuates Denmark’s weakness and the Danes’ overall neglectfulness to enhance Arctic Security. It also points to a confrontational attitude towards China during a time when some of his policies, including the recent delay on banning Tiktok, have indicated some weakness against Xi. 

Still, there are several dependencies before the reality of Greenland becoming a US territory can even be considered. One is the independence vote Greenlanders must take to separate themselves from Denmark. This vote would likely only be possible if Greenlanders knew they were getting enough, one with equal welfare opportunities such as subsidized housing and a guarantee on security. Secondly, if Greenland voted for independence and began talks with the US, they likely would not permit complete US control. While increased cooperation with the US would benefit their economy and security, Greenlanders are wary of too much foreign interference. There has also been the question of Trump using force to take Greenland. As the territory harbors 60,000 people, and with a strong US military presence already in the area, this wouldn’t be hard—but would invoke a sticky situation if a NATO country invaded a NATO territory, and would essentially destroy international order. 

Therefore, the future of Greenland sovereignty and Arctic security doesn’t rely merely on Trump but on a wide range of decisions and strategies. The only thing to do for now is keep a close eye on the Arctic and on Trump. 

ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant: Is Accountability on the Horizon?

Photo of the International Criminal Court Building in The Hague, Netherlands by Jan van der Wolf

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a historic ruling calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. The arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant are particularly significant since they are the first time the ICC has targeted senior officials from a Western-aligned nation.

The Israeli leaders are accused of "crimes against humanity and war crimes," in Gaza. These crimes include withholding vital resources needed for survival such as, “food, water, medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity,” alongside blocking humanitarian aid, and knowingly directing attacks against civilians—all clear violations of international law. The charges span from October 8, 2023, to May 20, 2024, and have emerged amidst a cascade of scathing reports on Israel’s conduct in Gaza from several credible organizations committed to maintaining international peace.

This historic move comes at a time when a United Nations committee stated that Israel’s conduct in Gaza has been consistent with genocide, largely due to its purposeful starvation of Palestinian civilians. In tandem with this ruling, a recent report from the London-based human rights organization Amnesty International found Israel guilty of genocide, with their Secretary General Agnès Callamard stating “Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this is genocide. It must stop now.”

The most recent death toll indicates the Israeli military has killed around 45, 515 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023— the majority of these victims being women and children, with hundreds of thousands more suffering from displacement, illness, and injury. While these crimes against humanity appear to have no end in sight, the ICC’s arrest warrants mark an important shift in the international community's tolerance for these actions and growing changes in public opinion regarding Gaza.

The ICC, established in 2002 under the Rome Statute, is tasked with prosecuting individuals for the gravest offenses: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of aggression. While 124 nations are party to the Rome Statute, key states like Israel, the U.S., China, and Russia have refused to join, significantly hindering the ICC's enforcement capabilities.

Furthermore, the ICC has faced strong opposition and outright hostility from the United States. In 2020, the Trump administration imposed severe sanctions on ICC officials, including then-Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, in retaliation for investigating U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. These sanctions froze assets and banned family entry for ICC officials, infringing on their abilities and unabashedly undermining the court's purpose.

While President Biden lifted these sanctions in 2021, the U.S. continues to dismiss the ICC’s jurisdiction, with the Biden administration’s stance on the latest ruling against Israeli officials being dubbed as “outrageous.” The U.S. has further reinforced its support for Israel, despite extensive evidence documenting the Israeli leadership's blatant disregard for human life in its conduct in Gaza. Biden has also shown no signs of slowing support for Israel, both in message and through military aid, as he stated "There is no equivalence—none—between Israel and Hamas. We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security." 

Additionally, Republican lawmakers like Senator Lindsey Graham went further, calling the court a "dangerous joke" and threatening sanctions against any ally cooperating with the ICC. 

In a powerful opening address on Monday, December 2nd — ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane responded to these threats of sanctions from the U.S., stating, “The court is being threatened with draconian economic sanctions from institutions of another permanent member of the Security Council as if it was a terrorist organization." 

Despite the U.S. attempts at undermining the court, the implications of the ICC warrants remain significant. If any of the accused set foot in a member state, that nation is obligated to arrest and surrender them to the court. Some member states, including Canada, Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands, have pledged to comply with ICC rulings. While others, like France, have said it would "respect its obligations" but are still taking into consideration Netanyahu's immunity possibilities. This stance aligns with the hesitation expressed by other European countries, such as Germany, in upholding these arrest warrants.

While the ICC’s actions against Netanyahu and Gallant indicate a growing willingness to hold Western-allied figures accountable, they also expose deep flaws in the global justice system. Words from an op-ed by journalist and author Ramzy Baroud have stuck with me in light of this ruling, as he noted that the ICC’s decision reflects “a desperate Western attempt at salvaging whatever little credibility it had maintained up to that moment.” 

Further, Al Jazeera columnist Belén Fernández critiqued the structural impunity granted to Israel, stating, “At the end of the day, the state of Israel as a whole bears criminal responsibility for usurping Palestinian land and engaging in 76.5 years (and counting) of ethnic cleansing, displacement, and massacres.”

As the conflict in Gaza continues, the ICC’s arrest warrants mark a historic step toward accountability, but justice for Palestinians remains uncertain. With the U.S. continuously backing Israel despite mounting evidence of atrocities, the international legal system’s ability to hold powerful nations and their allies accountable is further called into question. This moment serves as a litmus test for the global community’s commitment to justice and whether our institutions, both nationally and internationally, truly uphold the foundational laws that they espouse.

China’s New Port in Peru Shakes Up South America and Sends a Warning to the U.S

On November 14th, Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the new Chancay port in Peru.

Worth 1.3 billion US dollars, the investment project is part of China’s infamous Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Often called the new Silk Road, the BRI claims to increase infrastructure interconnectedness across all continents through land and maritime projects. 

Located centrally on the coast of Peru, Chancay was chosen for China’s BRI initiative in 2019 during an agreement between a Chinese shipping port company COSCO, and Volcan Compañia Minera S.A.A, a public mining company. 

The Chancay port, owned majorly by China, is one of China’s largest initiatives in South America and is projected to become the new hub for South American and Chinese trade.

In the last decade, China has begun to focus on critical mineral extraction opportunities in South America. The 15-berth port will allow China to export critical minerals, like Peruvian copper for electric vehicles, faster while avoiding U.S. and Mexican ports that typically have increased. 

American national security officials are worried because of China's increasing economic power in South America. Before China took large initiatives to increase its presence in South America, the United States held the strongest relationship with the continent. As the United States threatens tariffs, and rhetoric around action against illegal immigrants increases, the relationship between the two countries is far more distant.

Outside of stronger trade and economic connections between South America and China through the Chancay port, China will also be positioned to have a strategic military position at the port if it needs to or chooses to do so. 

The port's geographical location has also caused warning bells to go off for American national security officials. Since China’s greater shareholder investment influences leadership and decision-making, the possibility of the Chancay port serving as a navy base and hub for intelligence services is a real threat to the United States. Furthermore, if war started between the US and China, the Chancay port could send and receive military cargo while holding submarines and warships.

The Chancay port is a big win for China and its interaction with South America. With increased Chinese interaction, positive perception and reliance on the United States decreases. As China strengthens its ties with South America through projects like the Chancay port, the U.S. risks losing its longstanding influence in the region, prompting a shift in the balance of power.

“Your Body, My Choice”

Finding Refuge in the 4B Movement

Graphic by Salma Mourad.

In the wake of Donald Trump’s sweeping 2024 re-election, many American women have voiced feelings of fear and betrayal — especially regarding the fight over reproductive rights and gender equality. Numerous political commentators have partly attributed this victory to the growing influence of right-wing “manosphere” content and its popularity amongst young men— the new up-and-coming face of conservatism in the US. This growing sphere has even emboldened white-nationalist figures like Nick Fuentes who created the now-famous X-post “Your body; my choice” which is spreading like wildfire. The post has been viewed over 90 million times and reposted over 35,000 times. On Facebook, the phrase “your body, my choice” was trending a couple of days after the election, with 52,000 posts within 48 hours of the results. One parent stated: “Today my daughter was told three separate times on campus ‘your body, MY choice.’ The third group of boys told her to ‘sleep with one eye open tonight.’” Calls for women to "get back to the kitchen" and to "repeal the 19th" also peaked shortly after the election before dropping.

55 percent of male voters supported Trump whose tenure has been marred by allegations of sexual misconduct, inflammatory rhetoric, and the appointment of Supreme Court justices pivotal in overturning Roe v. Wade. The loss of federally protected abortion rights has left many women in precarious, even life-threatening, situations. Tragically, deaths have already resulted from restrictive abortion policies which have heightened anxieties about the future under a conservative-controlled government— the surge in emergency contraception and abortion pill sales reflects the desperation many feel in the wake of the election results.

In response to feeling trapped by these powers at bay for the next four years, conversations about methods of feminist resistance have intensified online. One point of growing interest is the 4B Movement, a radical feminist initiative originating in South Korea. Its name derives from four Korean words: “no sex” (bisekseu), “no dating” (biyeonae), “no marriage” (bihon), and “no childbirth” (bichulsan). These principles represent a rejection of patriarchal structures and expectations, arising in response to persistent gender-based violence. The movement gained particular momentum after the 2016 murder of a 23-year-old woman in Seoul’s Gangnam district by a man who claimed he acted out of resentment toward women who “ignored” him throughout his life. This tragedy became a catalyst for feminist activism, galvanizing broader resistance to patriarchal norms.

The 4B Movement also aligns with other feminist initiatives in South Korea, such as the “escape the corset” campaign, which challenges the nation’s deeply harmful beauty standards. It also addresses South Korea’s stark gender disparities: the nation has the widest gender pay gap among developed nations, with women earning 31 percent less than men as of 2022. Beyond economic inequality, South Korean women frequently face digital sex crimes, including voyeuristic “molka” spy-camera recordings and the proliferation of AI-generated deepfake pornography.

It is important to acknowledge that while the 4B Movement has resonated with women all over the world it has sparked controversy for being transphobic. Critics argue that the movement perpetuates bio-essentialist views and risks excluding trans and nonbinary individuals, through perpetuating a gender binary. Furthermore, many members have been accused of creating a hostile environment for trans women, echoing criticisms of Western radical feminist movements which are also widely known as TERFs.

In the United States, interest in the 4B Movement has surged following Trump’s re-election. Platforms like TikTok feature over 100,000 videos about the movement, and Google searches for the term have spiked. One viral X post with 17.8 million views says “It’s time to close off your wombs to males. This election proves now more than ever that they hate us & hate us proudly. do not reward them.” 

Other similar viral posts have urged women to abstain from sex as a form of protest, echoing similar calls during Trump’s first term. This growing resonance reflects broader discontent with systemic gender inequities and a desire for radical change. However, as with previous calls for “sex strikes,” the effectiveness of such actions without clear goals remains contested. While Aristophanes’ Lysistrata dramatized women withholding intimacy to end war, successful modern iterations—such as Leymah Gbowee’s Nobel Prize-winning efforts during Liberia’s civil war—emphasize the necessity of collective, actionable demands.

Critics of American women’s interest in conducting a “sex strike” often trivialize these actions as performative or hysterical. Conservative and liberal commentators alike have dismissed women’s anger, ignoring the systemic injustices that fuel these movements. Headlines ridiculing the discussions sparked after the election—such as “liberal women swear off marriage”—only serve to obscure the legitimate concerns driving them. Many commentators are also quick to note that young women represent a growing conservative demographic and point out the 53 percent of white women who voted for Trump. However, framing the issue solely through this lens oversimplifies the conversation and neglects the disproportionate impact of restrictive policies on marginalized women, including women of color and trans women.

While movements like 4B and calls for sex strikes have captured public attention, they highlight the need for broader, more comprehensive strategies to address gender inequality. Psychologist Peggy Drexler has critiqued sex strikes, arguing they risk reinforcing the notion that women’s sexual agency exists solely in relation to men. Historical examples, such as Lysistrata, suggest that withholding sex is just one aspect of collective resistance. As classicist Helen Morales notes, meaningful change often involves multifaceted action—seizing economic resources, withdrawing unpaid labor, and challenging structural inequalities. However, while these movements may not represent the most organized efforts to demand women’s rights, they highlight the deep frustration many women feel about the election results and the direction the nation seems to be heading.

Movements like 4B reflect a rational response to pervasive injustices. Rather than dismissing feminist anger as irrational or performative, we must interrogate the systemic conditions that drive it. Feminist resistance, whether through radical movements or symbolic protests, demands serious consideration as a response to entrenched inequities. Acknowledging and addressing these concerns is essential to fostering meaningful and lasting change.