As the world continues going down an uncertain path, marked by diplomatic conflict, great power competition, rapid technological development, and ever-necessary coordination over international issues like climate change, STEAR’s analysts attempt to foster pragmatic dialogue. This piece from the editorial team, thus, delivers coverage of two highly relevant topics this year. The social policy team covers the persistent tragedy of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. Ever since th

Democracy, election, and public participation theories have long sought to explain the proliferation of non-formal methods of political participation. This is particularly relevant now in a period characterised by widespread economic stagnation, entrenchment of inequality, and political distance between electorates and governments. All of these serve as strong causal factors for public apathy. At the same time, the generational divide in wealth, ownership and general electora

The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entered its definitive phase at a moment of considerable uncertainty for the European Union (EU)’s trading partners. As a harsh but necessary piece of legislation for Climate Change mitigation, we must investigate its differential impacts on the rest of the world. Indonesia and Vietnam, two rapidly developing emerging economies, now play a significant role in the global economy as export-oriented production hubs. Although their ex

In the context of global multipolarity and post-truth, politics might mean the practice of reconciling varied group interests, and democracy might be the functionally or procedurally reasonable response to handling ethnic differences. One thing is certain, however, systemic marginalisation based on abstract socially-constructed categories is problematic and undesirable. The Druze minority in Syria is no exception. Marked by stark religious differences and strong movements to