Resource Politics

2025 has been one of the most turbulent years for democracy in Africa. Across the continent, protests, disputed elections, and military takeovers exposed deep failures in governance. From deadly crackdowns on demonstrators to the rise of military-led governments, political instability has become a defining theme of the year.   As governance analyst Mo Ibrahim warned, “The increase in coups, the return of military governments, and the...

On a map, India's Siliguri Corridor looks insignificant. In reality, the narrow land bridge in the north of the country is one of its most critical pieces of territory.   Often called the “Chicken’s Neck,” this strip of land is India’s only land link to its eight northeastern states. Without it, more than 40 million people would be cut off from the rest of the country.   At its narrowest point, the corridor i...

The United States is rapidly increasing its military presence in Puerto Rico, sending more aircraft, combat vehicles, and warships to the island. Since November, a surge of US military assets has arrived, including the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. The buildup is part of a wider push as Washington sharpens its focus on Venezuela and its alleged role in drug trafficking.   Across Puerto Rico, politicians and residents have voiced con...

For nearly half a century, Western Sahara has been at the center of one of the world’s longest-running territorial disputes. Since 1973, the Polisario Front has sought independence for the sparsely populated territory, which Morocco and Mauritania claimed following Spain’s withdrawal as a colonial power. What began as a struggle over self-determination has evolved into a complex conflict with enduring political, economic, and regional...

On May 22, 2025, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius signed a landmark transfer agreement to return sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, concluding three years of direct nego...