A further deepening of far right forces in Croatia, Slovakia, and India threaten to strain democratic processes. Meanwhile, in the Republic of Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol faces a determined opposition in the national assembly, with a major swing toward the liberal opposition. 

The election of Senegal’s new president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, is a glimmer of hope in an era of democratic backsliding. As a young leader himself, he should seek to inspire a democratic revival among young Africans.

In the shadow of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East it is challenging to imagine a farewell to wars. Hans Blix’s latest book surveys modern international relations, and with the critical mind of a lawyer and diplomatic practitioner, demonstrates how, over the last two centuries, the international system has accepted growing constraints on interstate use of force.   

Since 1994, the Rwandan genocide has emerged as a grand signifier of the “failure to prevent” and an important preface for the “responsibility to protect” doctrine. Rwanda’s remarkable economic success and its ongoing efforts to reconcile traumatised communities also deserves reflection.  

The state visit of Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to the United States this week has been billed as a doubling down of Japan on the US Japan alliance. In reality, it is a continuation of the incremental and sustained investment in the bilateral relationship over decades to deal with regional and global security challenges. 

On 7 April, commemoration ceremonies will be held in Kigali and around the world to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide which occurred over a 100 day period from April to July in 1994. Looking back over three decades, what do we now know about the event and its causes?

Mr William Lai (Lai Ching-te), who will succeed President Tsai Ing-wen as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for president, successfully won the 2024 presidential election despite losing a significant number of young voters. The DPP did not secure a majority in parliamentary seats, which could have a serious impact on the future legislative agenda and national budget of the DPP government.

More than eight million people require humanitarian assistance in Nigeria. In a bid to save civilians in one of the longest-running conflicts in West Africa, training is underway to prepare the next generation of Nigerian war surgeons. 

Walter Brenno Colnaghi is a Research Officer in the School of Politics and International Relations at the Australian National University.

Donald Trump has once again claimed victory in the US Republican primary, and Russia's Vladimir Putin is guaranteed to be leading in this year's election in Moscow. The big surprise this month, however, is the surge of the Far Right in Portugal which has gained an unprecedented following under the new Chega party.

As the Israel-Hamas conflict rages in Gaza, Iran has been less forthright in their support for the terrorist group. Israel should also consider the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran.