Putin Announces Annexation of Eastern Ukrainian Regions

The Russian Federation officially announced the annexation of four eastern Ukrainian regions in a ceremony on September 30. According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporozhye (known as Zaporizhzhya in Ukrainian) were now a permanent and indisputable part of Russia according to Article I of the UN Charter.

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The Futility of Vladimir Putin’s Mobilization

This past week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a mobilization of 300,000 new troops to support the Russian Army in the Russo-Ukrainian War, according to Politico, which published an official translation of Putin’s decree. This mobilization is an attempt to reinvigorate the Russian armies that are currently being pushed back in a massive Ukrainian counteroffensive.

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Russia Enlists Draft to Bolster Russian-Ukrainian War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has enlisted a new draft of 300,000 soldiers in order to bolster its troops in the Russian-Ukrainian War. Despite many initial theories that Russia invading Ukraine would be a quick operation ending in Russian victory, The Ukrainian army has shown that they are a threat to Russian forces.

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FOCUS on the Global Energy Crisis: Europe

Germany, along with the greater European Union, has promised to boost its lending to major energy firms as rising energy prices threaten to extend their crushing grip on the industry. According to Reuters, the European Commission has targeted specific paths to reduce electricity consumption along with placing a revenue cap on non-gas fueled plants. 

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FOCUS on the Global Energy Crisis: Africa

The Russian invasion of Ukraine sent economic shockwaves across the world, affecting the production of economic staples such as wheat and nickel and putting significant strain on the global supply chain, reports CNBC. The energy market is one of the most significantly affected industries, and the strain impacts far more than the West. Africa is beginning to feel the brunt of this crisis.

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Ukraine Deals Russia Major Blow with Significant Counter-Offensive

Beginning September 10, Ukrainian forces launched a significant counter-offensive against Russia, recapturing many cities and marking a major shift in the conflict, reports Reuters. During the past five months of the war, Russia captured 20 percent of  Ukrainian territory. However, Ukraine regained those northeastern territories in a surprise offensive that caught the Russians off guard.

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The Double Standard of Migration Crises

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Europe is facing its largest migrant crisis since 2015 when 1.3 million migrants applied for asylum in the 28 European Union (EU) member states, Norway, and Switzerland. The majority of the asylum seekers in 2015 originated from three countries: Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Many were fleeing conflicts, both long-standing and fresh, including the Syrian civil war.

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The Russian Invasion of Ukraine has Brought Back Sexual Violence in the Strategy of War

The current war in Ukraine has sparked a jarring number of sexual violence reports since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24. The Russian invasion is bringing sexual assault and the objectification of female bodies back as a method of warfare.

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FOCUS on the Laws of War: The Geneva Conventions

War, like any other human endeavor throughout history, has historically had rules. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the actions of its soldiers in alleged incidents, such as in the suburb of Bucha the capital of Kyiv, have led members of the international community to accuse the Russian government of war crimes. The modern outlook on what constitutes a war crime can be traced far back, most notably to 20th-century agreements like the Geneva Conventions.

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