Peace and Conflict – Page 7

Factum Perspective: The Rise of Africa

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Peace and ConflictSeptember 17, 2023532Views 0Likes 0Comments

The emergence of new economic powerhouses within Africa has been a defining recent phenomenon. These emerging powers are playing an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the continent's economic landscape, challenging established norms, and spearheading transformative development. Emerging powers like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia are driving this change in Africa's trajectory, along with other…

Factum Perspective: Marine science research in Sri Lanka – Pitfalls and Potentials

Maritime Security, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsSeptember 3, 2023961Views 0Likes 2Comments

By Rear Admiral Y. N. Jayarathna (Retd) Given recent media reports, mostly Indian, marine science research appears to have become a hot topic yet again. Whilst debates linger over this, I wish to share some of my thoughts for readers to understand these issues from a Sri Lankan point of view. I consider this important,…

Factum Perspective: The “Other” Korea

History and Culture, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsAugust 20, 2023724Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Vinod Moonesinghe In North Korea, August 15 is Liberation Day, August 25 Songun Day, and September 9 Foundation Day. The popular picture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as a prison camp on the brink of collapse may be exaggerated. As the late Pyongyang-based AP journalist Eric Talmadge reported in 2017,…

Factum Special Perspective: Sri Lanka’s trilemma

Belt Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Policy, Health and Economic Cooperation, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsJuly 26, 2023627Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Uditha Devapriya Sri Lanka’s future lies in its ability to balance the three great powers in – and not of – the Indian Ocean: India, China, and the US, and in that order. Its dilemma has something to do with it being a small state, but more importantly with it being a small state…

Factum Perspective: Modi in the White House – The role of China in Indo-US relations

Belt Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Policy, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsJuly 9, 2023548Views 0Likes 0Comments

By P. K. Balachandran China’s aggressive posturing on the Sino-Indian border, its support to Pakistan-based anti-Indian Islamic terrorists, and its bid to encircle India in South Asia, are key factors pushing India into the waiting arms of the United States. But India is not entirely comfortable in the American embrace. And the reason, again, is…

Factum Perspective: Bloodshed averted in Russia

Peace and ConflictJune 26, 2023664Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Rathindra Kuruwita Bloodshed has been averted in Russia, probably to the relief of many who didn’t want further destabilization of the international order. Russia seemed to be on the verge of civil war by Saturday when the leader of the Russian PMC Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, announced that his forces had taken control of…

Factum Special Perspective: The elections in Türkiye

International Development, Peace and ConflictMay 31, 2023680Views 1Like 1Comment

By Aavin Abeydeera Enjoying its position as the middleman between Europe, the Middle East, and greater Asia, Türkiye’s elections have always made it to the front page. Should an election swing to the far right, the European Union suddenly goes on red alert. Should an election swing to the far left, the Middle East criticizes…

Factum Special Perspective: Taiwan as a tool in the Indo-Pacific

Belt Road Initiative and Indo-Pacific Policy, Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsMay 10, 2023991Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Uditha Devapriya During a recent conference at the Milken Institute, US Congressman Seth Moulton contended that if the Chinese army invaded Taiwan, the US should not hesitate to blow up Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). Moulton’s remarks were immediately noted by Taiwanese authorities. On Monday, May 8, the country’s Minister of National…

Factum Perspective: The impact of Vesak on international relations

History and Culture, Peace and Conflict, Regional Geopolitics, UncategorizedMay 7, 2023937Views 1Like 1Comment

By Vinod Moonesinghe The festival of Vesak celebrates the birth, enlightenment (nibbana), and demise (Parinibbana) of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, also known as Sakyamuni Buddha. It may be compared to a combined festival of Christmas, the Theophany, and Easter for Christians, or the Prophet's birthday, Hajj, and Ramazan for Muslims. Also known as Buddha Day,…

Factum Special Perspective: The BRICS Bank and Multipolar Multilateralism

Health and Economic Cooperation, International Development, Peace and ConflictMay 3, 20231KViews 0Likes 0Comments

By Sanja de Silva Jayatilleka South Africa will be hosting the 15th BRICS summit this year from August 22 to 24, under the theme “Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.” South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, addressing his National Assembly in this context, said that a strategic priority for his country was…

Factum Perspective: Reviewing a year in crisis

Peace and Conflict, Regional GeopoliticsApril 30, 20232KViews 7Likes 1Comment

Photo by Dhananjaya Samarakoon By Rumeth Jayasinghe On March 31, 2022, Sri Lankans stormed the streets and held demonstrations in front of the then President’s private residence in Mirihana, demanding his resignation. The protest remained largely peaceful, until police attacked the protestors with tear gas and water cannons. It marked the beginning of a series…

Factum Perspective: Abuses of anti-terrorism legislation – Four case studies

Peace and ConflictApril 17, 2023635Views 0Likes 0Comments

By Deneth Rajapaksha Anti-terrorism laws are designed to defend citizens from terrorist activities and to uphold national security. Unfortunately, in certain cases and certain countries, such laws have been applied to stifle political dissent, crush political opposition, and violate fundamental rights. Since there has never been a universally accepted definition of terrorism, different governments believe…