https://videopress.com/v/syr1Fv7F?preloadContent=metadata On the day of the Biden-Harris inauguration a discussion of America's return and what that means for climate change and geopolitics.
Author: Sophia Kalantzakos
Critical Minerals and the New Geopolitics
The tension between the geographic concentration of vital metallic elements and the increasing scramble to secure them will further unsettle geopolitics in the twenty-first century. Rich-country governments must now follow China's lead and build new avenues of trust and cooperation with developing countries... https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/china-critical-minerals-new-geopolitics-by-sophia-kalantzakos-2020-10
The Perils of a Bipolar Planet
In November 2014, Presidents Obama and Xi stood up in Beijing and declared to the world their intent to take on responsibility for their nations’ part in the climate crisis. The words flowed easily; after all, such an agreement – in Chinese parlance – constituted a win-win for both sides, but also for universal humanity...… Continue reading The Perils of a Bipolar Planet
Rare earths: A catalyst to geopolitical realignments.
The current rare earths crisis is not a stand-alone event. In 2010, the elements captured both international headlines and the attention of policymakers and industry globally when a geopolitical incident between China and Japan revealed how the world had grown almost exclusively dependent on China for rare earth mining, processing, production, and export. Prices skyrocketed,… Continue reading Rare earths: A catalyst to geopolitical realignments.
Environmental Pasts – Environmental Futures: Perspectives on China
Workshop at Peking University November 24, 2018, “Global Environmental Visions and Governance: Perspectives on China’s Relationship with the European Union,” part of the 4th Scientific Forum of LMU’s China Academic Network (ChAN).
Rare Earths Revisited: The US-China Trade War
Budapest, Hungary
Rare Earth Geopolitics: A case of Economic Statecraft?
Obscure though they have been in the past, rare earths represent some of the most precious enabling elements for the operation of high tech, renewables, and defense technologies, everything from smartphones and medical technologies to wind turbines, energy efficient lighting, smart bombs, and submarines. While they are not particularly "rare" in availability, they are difficult… Continue reading Rare Earth Geopolitics: A case of Economic Statecraft?
West Side Story, Migration, and the Crisis
I just got back from watching a Greek production of West Side Story. Though I am familiar with the movie, the songs and of course the music and the plot, attending this performance in the middle of the wave of mass population movement made me give the performance my undivided attention. Racism, violence, belonging and… Continue reading West Side Story, Migration, and the Crisis
A Humanitarian Crisis In The News
It is no secret that the media has been one of the most powerful means of communication. The interpretation that each media outlet gives to crucial issues affects the way people understand the news and help shape their opinions. The refugee crisis in Greece has been widely covered during the past months due to the… Continue reading A Humanitarian Crisis In The News
Migration, Refugees and Free movement of People
I have been attending the 17th annual Symi symposium on Kos Island entitled Exodus: Population movements in a changing world. Naturally, it’s the refugee crisis that’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind. But is it only the refugee crisis seen from the perspective of European member states? In a session about the Brexit and its… Continue reading Migration, Refugees and Free movement of People