In the early hours of 6 June, Russia launched yet another massive air assault on civilian targets in Ukraine – a grim reminder that the Kremlin continues to rely on terror as a core tactic in its war. Although not the most extensive missile strike since the onset of the full-scale invasion, it was by…
Author: James Wilson
Can US Sanctions, and an End to Double Standards over Sudan Prevent more Extreme Violence?
Photo by Mohamed Tohami on Unsplash The US State Department’s imposition of sanctions against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) over their use of chemical weapons suggests the beginnings of a shift in the international community’s engagement with the crisis in Sudan. Along with concerns over Iran and other nations supplying the arms that enabled the…
Pegasus Bridge
Spare a thought tonight for the selfless courage of the young men of the air landing brigade of the 6th Airborne Division of the British Parachute Regiment who spearheaded the D-Day allied forces 81 years ago. In a daring surprise attack, they landed by parachute and gliders behind enemy lines shortly after midnight east of…
Escalation Not Peace
Russia’s Largest Aerial Onslaught on Ukraine Marks Escalation, Not Peace In a devastating escalation of its war against Ukraine, Russia launched its largest aerial assault since the unprovoked invasion began in 2022. Between May 24 and 25, Russian forces fired 367 drones and missiles at targets across Ukraine. This massive attack clearly indicates that Moscow…
Sudan Forces Sanctioned by the USA
A nexus of chemical weapons, terrorist groups, and a threat to the Red Sea The US State Department notified Congress on Thursday of its determination on the use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), triggering sanctions to begin in 15 days. The sanctions include restrictions on US exports and financing to the…
Democratic Crisis in the Heart of Europe
Photo by Konrad Koller on Unsplash Under increasing pressure to maintain political control, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán seems ever more willing to deploy a wide arsenal of tools to retain power, ranging from legislative restrictions and information control to aggressive rhetorical campaigns. His recent political strategy strikingly resembles the approach of Russian President Vladimir…
New Quality Wine Label Launched in Belgium
The Belgian wine sector is joining forces to launch BelBul: the first official quality label for sparkling wines produced on Belgian soil. This joint initiative by the non-profit Belgische Wijnbouwers – Vlaanderen and the Association des Vignerons Belges – Wallonie marks a major milestone in the professionalisation of the sector and affirms Belgium’s position as an…
Ukraine’s Enduring Struggle
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash As Europe marks the anniversary of the end of the Second World War, we are reminded of Ukraine’s critical role in securing victory over Nazism – and of the striking parallels between that historic struggle and today’s war against Russian aggression. Once again, Ukraine finds itself on the front…
Hungary’s Evolving Media Landscape
Photo by Bank Phrom on Unsplash The question of whether truly independent journalism can still exist in Hungary is no longer solely a domestic concern; it has now become a prominent issue for the European Commission. On April 28, Magyar Hang and another anonymous outlet filed a formal complaint with the Commission, alleging that the…
Orbán’s Catatonic Agenda
Photo by Joshua Fuller on Unsplash Viktor Orbán has long been regarded as an outlier in the European Union, but in recent years, his government’s actions have represented more than mere political dissent. Orbán is executing a deliberate strategy that challenges the unity and principles of the Western alliance. While maintaining formal membership in the…