Author: Singhum Rao

Last week’s extraordinary summit in Alaska is being followed by an even more unusual international conference in Washington. Just two days ago, none of the participants knew they would be attending. While modern diplomacy often relies on ad hoc contact groups, the assembly of seven countries—the US, Ukraine, the UK, Germany, Finland, Italy, and France and two international organizations, NATO and the EU, is unprecedented. Rethinking Traditional Diplomatic Preparation Officials typically prepare by assembling briefing packs and drafting talking points, aiming to satisfy their superiors and make effective interventions. In this case, conventional preparation may hinder more than help. Precedents…

On Sunday, nursing a mild hangover, I attended a preview screening of Materialists, the highly anticipated new film by Celine Song. Dakota Johnson stars as Lucy, a professional matchmaker whose talent lies not in sparking romance but in analyzing people like commodities. She pairs clients with partners who meet most of their criteria—and are likely to accept them—approaching love as one might approach a financial transaction. Lucy isn’t Cupid; she’s a market analyst, calculating worth and compatibility with a clinical eye. Her clients’ desires are often as precise as they are unattainable. A thirtysomething woman of average looks, for instance,…

Gen Z is entering a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a concept—it’s shaping careers, communication, and daily life. From personalized learning and virtual assistants to AI-driven creativity and automation, technology is becoming an inseparable part of our future. As the first generation to grow up fully immersed in digital innovation, Gen Z faces unique opportunities and challenges. While AI promises efficiency, creativity, and new career paths, it also raises ethical questions, privacy concerns, and the risk of job displacement. Understanding how to leverage AI responsibly will define this generation’s success. For Gen Z, the key lies…

Nicola Sturgeon has never hidden her fear of failure. Yet, the failure she feared was not the absence of success—it was the inability to sustain it after a groundbreaking achievement. Becoming Scotland’s first female first minister, she admits in her new memoir, became “almost an obsession.” This intense pressure is familiar to many trailblazers. The first woman—or first minority—in any leadership role carries the weight of representation, knowing that skeptics may see them as a test case for whether “people like them” can lead effectively. For women in power, every move is scrutinized. They must project strength while being urged…

If you pitched this story as a subplot in a satirical novel skewering Silicon Valley hypocrisy, most editors would likely reject it as too on-the-nose. But truth, once again, proves stranger than fiction. This week, The New York Times revealed that Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have been running a private school out of their multi-million-dollar compound in Palo Alto, California—without proper permits. The school, home to just 14 children (including two of their three daughters), violated local zoning laws. Ironically, this exclusive learning hub sits less than a mile from the tuition-free school the couple opened in…

Wars are rarely won in neat, decisive battles. Total victories dominate national myths because they serve patriotic narratives, but history often unfolds in stalemates, messy compromises, and unresolved conflicts. This truth matters now—especially as Donald Trump prepares to meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska this Friday. Both leaders will project confidence that Ukraine’s fate can be settled quickly, without Ukrainians themselves at the table. But that illusion is dangerous. Beneath the theater lies a reality that neither wants to admit: any settlement that ignores Ukraine’s sovereignty will only prolong the conflict. Trump’s Personal Stakes For Trump, this is as much about…

Britain faces growing political and social strain as austerity measures, expanded security powers, and foreign policy challenges collide. This summer’s mass protest in Parliament Square, where over 500 people were arrested for supporting the proscribed group Palestine Action, exposed deep divisions in the country. The state’s authority is tested by a public increasingly distrustful of government institutions and policing methods. With protests met by unprecedented mass arrests and harsh legal repercussions under the 2000 Terrorism Act, Britain’s democratic freedoms appear under pressure. The diverse group of demonstrators including many older, traditionally conservative citizens signals broad dissatisfaction across the political spectrum.…

Immigration has long been a central and contentious issue in Britain’s political landscape, shaping media narratives and public opinion for decades. What once began as calls for border control has escalated into widespread fearmongering, misinformation, and demands for mass deportations. Despite the reality that legal migrants far outnumber illegal ones, political rhetoric and media coverage disproportionately focus on irregular arrivals, particularly small boat crossings. This skewed narrative fuels a false sense of crisis, distorting public perception and empowering far-right movements. As Britain politicians, including Keir Starmer and others, exploit immigration fears to win votes, they deepen social divisions and neglect…

Nuclear weapons, with their deadly history and expanding threat, dominate headlines once again. Russia’s recent formal withdrawal from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty marks the collapse of a critical global arms control framework. This move accelerates an already intense nuclear arms race across Europe and Asia, as tensions between the US and Russia escalate dangerously. Rising Nuclear Tensions and Provocations Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened the West with nuclear weapons during the conflict in Ukraine. Last November, Russia tested the Oreshnik hypersonic missile, capable of reaching any European city at speeds ten times the sound barrier,…

Britain is on the brink of a financial crisis, with growing concerns about rising public debt and government spending. Since Labour took office, warnings about potential bankruptcy have intensified, fueled by debates over welfare costs and economic vulnerability. The state’s increasing obligations, combined with slow growth and aging demographics, create a precarious fiscal situation. Historically, Labour Must response to similar crises has been austerity, which has often led to political setbacks. As the nation faces renewed economic pressures, it is crucial for Labour to rethink its approach balancing fiscal responsibility with social support to avoid repeating past mistakes and secure…