After the December 5 White House release of the new National Security Strategy, the Trump administration’s renewed estrangement from the west surprised little to no one. European leaders knew, after Trump’s repeated messaging against Europe and NATO in his 2024 re-election campaign, that a shift from the US’ previously long-held support for Ukraine was going to be called into question. Pre-emptive efforts at messaging the scale and gravity of the war in Ukraine had previously

Editor’s Note This explainer brings together multiple perspectives on Venezuela’s unfolding crisis — from global energy politics and U.S. intervention to regional consequences and international law. Rather than presenting a single narrative, this piece reflects how power, resources, and people intersect in shaping Venezuela’s present and future. The U.S.–Venezuela Conflict: Oil, Power, and the Petrodollar Writer: Aakriti Mittal Editor: Asmita Sharma I. What Is Happening? Rece

On November 16th and 18th, 2025, O. P. Jindal Global University (JGU) witnessed one of its biggest protests in a few semesters. On November 16th, 2025, a WhatsApp group chat was created for the mobilisation of said ‘Pollution Protest’. Immediately, discussions began on where and how to assemble. This resulted in a two-day protest between November 16th and 18th: the first took place at the Flagpole, while the second involved marching around the campus in several rounds. Protes

Global Pulse 3rd week of December ASIA PACIFIC China envoy visits Cambodia seeking to de-escalate fighting with Thailand. Writer: Hrishik Bains The Chinese special envoy for Asian affairs went to Cambodia this week to invite the two countries to settle their border dispute, which has caused around 60 deaths and the displacement of more than 500000. The negotiations are through the peace-making initiatives of China and the US jointly. These are right before a special ASEAN mee

Cinema as Soft Power Joseph Nye defined soft power as the act of persuasion and attraction rather than force. Political leaders and philosophers have long recognised the power of appealing ideas to influence society. The ability to shape what other countries desire is often linked to intangible sources of power such as culture, ideology, and institutions. Cinema is one of the most influential cultural forces because it shapes how audiences think and feel, and, in doing so, fr

Global Pulse 2nd week of December ASIA PACIFIC Australian Police Investigating Sydney Shooting as Terrorism. Writer: Riddhima Sarraf A mass shooting  took place in Australia at a Jewish Hanukkah event in Sydney . 15 people were declared dead and around 40 people remain under hospital supervision following the attack. Australia’s Albanese refers to the attack as ‘dark moment for our nation’ .  Two suspects were found guilty, a pair of father and son. The father was killed at t

Ontario's premier says Trump's tariffs would be a disaster for US markets Writer:  Harman Kaur Minhas Ontario Premier Doug Ford...

US defence chief Lloyd observes joint drills with Japan, Australia Writer:  Harman Kaur Minhas US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin...