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Addressing misconceptions about Islam with Britain’s youngest Imam

Sharon Adebola
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Addressing misconceptions about Islam with Britain’s youngest Imam

Imam Sabah Ahmedi has emerged as a voice of hope and change using his platform to actively address misconceptions about the Muslim faith.

He not only serves as a religious leader but as a bridge between different communities diligently working to promote unity as part of his daily commitments in the press office.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into his journey, his mission to reshape perceptions and the intersection of faith and the modern workplace.

Baitul Futuh Mosque Source: Common Sense

Why did you become an imam and what’s your journey?

Sabah Ahmadi’s path to becoming an Imam is marked by dedication and a sense of calling. Born in Manchester, he attended an all-boys school, where he served as deputy head boy. However, it was the prayers of his parents that played a significant role in influencing his decision to devote his life to the service of religion. At just 17, he woke up and chose to undergo a seven-year journey of studying to become an Imam.

How do you seek to change the narrative/misconceptions about the Muslim faith?

Sabah is keen to address certain misconceptions about Islam and believes the public’s perception of Islam is often fuelled by media portrayals of the faith and a lack of personal encounters with actual Muslims. As a faith leader, he feels a profound responsibility to dispel these misunderstandings. Through his social media and other platforms, he aims to engage his generation and anyone interested in learning about Islam. He also actively challenges misconceptions about young Asian men and addresses the misconception that Islam promotes misogyny, emphasising Islam’s historical role in establishing women’s rights.

Why do you think faith is increasingly becoming a talking point in the working world?

Faith is gaining prominence in the corporate world, Sabah attributes this shift to the need for increased efforts for inclusivity and diversity. Companies are recognising the value of allowing employees to bring their whole selves to work actually improves performance and fosters a sense of belonging.

If it were the case that employers were discouraging workers from openly displaying their faith, negative consequences would be inevitable. Hence, there is significance in creating safe spaces for individuals to comfortably express their beliefs.

What are the common denominators that align every single one of us no matter our faith?

Sabah is a firm believer that there is a plethora of principles and beliefs that serve as common denominators between people of different faiths. However, he emphasises the importance of praying for one another and genuinely wishing good for one another as we transcend religious boundaries. He hopes young faith leaders will use their voices to contribute positively to society and foster understanding among diverse communities through interfaith dialogue. 

Bishop Hendricks visits one of the biggest mosques in the UK (Source: The Catholic Church)

What change would you like to see within the forthcoming years?

Sabah’s vision for the future is one of hope and unity. He envisions a world where people learn about Islam, dispel misconceptions and pray for each other. He also hopes this spirit of goodwill extends to all faiths and young faith leaders take up the mantle of positive change within society. 

Imam Sabah Ahmedi leaves us with a powerful message: “My life is not my life anymore; my service is my life”

This message serves as a reminder that young faith leaders live a life poured out to service and are dedicated to the flourishing of their religion. Sabah continues to live a life of service in addressing misconceptions about the Muslim faith.

Was there actually a Chinese government Spy in UK Parliament!?

Shane Green
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Was there actually a Chinese government Spy in UK Parliament!?

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his foreign secretary James Cleverley accused of negligence following a Sunday Times exclusive alleging the arrest of a Chinese government spy working in parliament had been known since March.

Two men have been arrested alleged of spying for the Chinese government. One of the men, a British national said to be in his late twenties, worked as a parliamentary researcher and is believed to have had access to influential Conservative figures, including the security minister Tom Tugendhat and Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns.

Both China and the accused deny the accusations, describing them as ‘groundless’.

Information surrounding the arrests is said to have been known since March despite the governments recent efforts to stabilize diplomatic relations with China, prompting accusations of negligence by the government.

News of the alleged spy has re-ignited criticism from traditional China hawks in the Conservative party, most notably former Prime Minister Liz Truss and former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, who have long charged the UK response to the China threat is insufficient.

Below, we explore what the fall-out of a spy in parliament might mean for the government and its recent efforts to reset Sino-UK relations.

Arrest of alleged spy complicates the PMs efforts to reset Sino-UK relations

The PM and his government had hoped to reset Sino-UK relations, which were at a historic low point, with disputes over Hong Kong, Huawei’s role in UK 5G networks, and criticism of Beijing’s treatment of its ethnic Uyghur population just a handful of diplomatic fall-outs in recent years. The foreign secretaries recent visit to Beijing had made him the first senior UK official to visit China in 5 years.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in first UK-China meeting for 5 years. Reuters, 2023.

News of the alleged spy complicates efforts to stabilize relations, with the Times reporting Sunak faces a split in his Cabinet with compromised security minister Tom Tugendhat and home secretary Suella Braverman said to support a tougher stance on China.

Former PM and ex-Tory leader, Liz Truss and Sir Iain Duncan Smith, are leading figures in advocating a tougher stance on China. Duncan Smith summarized their wish for parliament to take a binary approach to China, ‘are they a threat or not?’ he asked the Commons.

Earlier this year, parliament’s intelligence and security committee report on China concluded a lack of action by successive UK governments to the threat of China constituted a ‘serious failure’ to protect UK national security.

Government’s failure to heed their warning may have prompted China sceptics to take action. Let us dissect why.

Timing is good politics

Publicizing the arrests of Chinese government spies at a time when efforts to repair Sino-UK relations are underway is unlikely to be a coincidence. It creates rifts in government and demands a degree of distancing in the UK-China relationship.

The timing of a press release in September surrounding arrests made in March is suspicious. News of the alleged spy in parliament broke as the PM attended this years G20 summit in Delhi.

The foreign secretary had alluded to the PMs desire to speak with Chinese officials directly at the G20 which prompted backlash from the aforementioned Tory MPs. Whether these MPs took unilateral action to prevent a reset of Sino-UK relations is speculation but nonetheless, the timing is interesting.

Or perhaps Downing Street took the decision to leak the information, calculating it could re-engage with China whilst demonstrating its ability to criticize the Chinese government to party sceptics.

Another possible angle is Downing Street sought to demonstrate to China UK ability to wield soft power and damage China’s international reputation.

Might the foreign secretary have heard something in his visit to Beijing that suggested it no longer respected the notion that the UK has leverage to lean on? If China’s media spokesman Victor Gao’s interview with Andrew Marr on LBC is anything to go by, this wouldn’t be surprising.

LBC’s Andrew Marr received a dressing down on behalf of Britain by China’s media spokesperson Victor Gao, 2023.

Ultimately, this is but speculation and it is unlikely we will ever know the truth. What we do know is that espionage is nothing new. Its publicization is a political choice. This choice needn’t come at the expense of efforts to stabilize the Sino-UK relationship, as we detail below.

The UK has a responsibility to engage with China

As the foreign secretary succinctly put it when outlining the UKs China strategy earlier this year, ‘shirking the responsibility to engage with China is a sign not of strength, but of weakness’ and one which ultimately hinders the national interest.

The success of China in infiltrating UK parliamentary democracy rightly warrants scrutiny of existing national security measures, yet it needn’t come at the expense of efforts to stabilize the bilateral relationship.

Rather than secede to Sinophobia which damages UK national interests in the long-run, the government should continue efforts to repair Sino-UK relations.

International relations is not a black or white subject. It isn’t a question of whether one likes nor agrees with individual leaders or political parties, it is a question of substance in how diplomatic relations facilitate safer and more prosperous societies around the world.

Contrary to popular belief, this is a view shared by the head of Britain’s secret service, Richard Moore, who argues it is ‘absolutely necessary to engage with China. For the simple reason that not a single international problem of any importance can be addressed if we do not’.

Is there a resurgence of West African coups?

Sharon Adebola
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Is there a resurgence of West African coups?

Military coups in West Africa are on the rise as many countries experience deteriorating economic conditions and democratic backsliding prompting military intervention.

West Africa has experienced a tumultuous history of political instability characterised by military coups and political power struggles. 

Although commendable progress has been made in recent decades to adopt a democracy as a form of governance, concerns still linger about the potential resurgence of coups in West Africa.

A coup is an illegal attempt, often by the military to seize power from leaders in power who have been elected by the electorate. 

Historical military coups have often led to political instability, economic decline and the abuse of human rights. This is simultaneously unsurprising and ironic given the motive for military coups often stems from political instability and economic hardship within a country. Hence, whether military intervention is effective in addressing the initial problems the country may face.

A culture of military coups has been pre-existent within West Africa with 10 coup attempts in Burkina Faso, 17 attempts in Sudan and many other attempts see across countries such as Benin, Nigeria and Niger.

Source: Jonathan Powell, Uni of Central Florida and Clayton Thyne, Uni of Kentucky

Some of the latest coups

On the 26th July 2023, the military placed President Mohamed Bazoum on house arrest and seized power. 

The coup has legitimised their reasoning for seizing power stating President Mohamed Bazoum was a vessel representing French interests in Gabon. It’s fair to say the military was not explicitly defending the people but acted out of their interests as multiple military deals with France had previously been revoked. 

General Abdourahmane Tchiani has declared himself the coup leader and is confident of the success of the coup.

The military takeover in Gabon is the latest coup to occur following the coup in Niger over a month ago. On the 30th August 2023, a military coup occurred in Gabon. President Ali Bongo was ousted and is currently on house arrest, which has ended over 50 years of the Bongo family reign in Gabon.

The coup was motivated by a recent election confirming President Ali Bongo’s third term as president. However, the opposition alongside the military believed voting was rigged leading to the military seizing power moments after the election results were announced. 

Factors incentivising coups

Key challenges that constantly seem to incentivise coups stem from governance challenges, economic hardship and the erosion of democratic norms. 

Firstly, many countries in West Africa are experiencing democratic backsliding as a result of corruption and poor governance resulting in weakening institutions. Hence the need for military intervention. 

Similar to the point above, the erosion of democratic norms such as rigged voting and disrespect towards laws dismantle the foundation needed for democratic institutions to thrive. Simply, this foundation appears incredibly weak in some West African countries.

Finally, a country where poverty and high unemployment are prevalent is bound to experience a breakdown in the relationship between the government and the electorate. As the people may feel let down and unsupported by the government they may turn to the military as a source of help, which probes military intervention. 

Could a resurgence of coups occur?

Whilst the frequency of West African coups is a cause for concern about the future, we must note there is an overall trend of West African countries trying to establish democratic institutions as they seek political stability.

Effective measures have also been put in place such as diplomatic pressure, economic incentivises and sanctions to deter coups and promote peaceful political practices. 

As we acknowledge the possibility of coups resurging, vigilance is key to effectively spot emerging patterns. 

What the heck is BRICS?

Shane Green
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What the heck is BRICS?

BRICS expansion comes as a counterweight to Western-dominated political and economic institutions, and reliance on the U.S. dollar. This constitutes a form of grievance-based politics.

BRICS – the name for the grouping of emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – will soon expand.

Following its 15th annual summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. A formal invitation was extended to 6 countries: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

BRICS provides a vehicle for countries out-of-favor with Washington, facing economic exclusion or sanction regimes, to co-operate thereby mitigating the effects of exclusionary measures.

BRICS countries now account for 75% of the world’s manganese, 50% of the globe’s graphite, 42% of the world’s oil production, 28% of the world’s nickel, and 10% of copper.

This poses a choice for Washington: re-engage or push nations further toward one-another, and further away from its sphere of influence.

Below, we delve-deeper the significance of BRICS and its expansion.

BRICS is not anti-US, it is anti-dependency

Many observers have labelled BRICS as a coalition of anti-U.S. countries, but this is an oversimplification.

BRICS expansion means the group now includes Russia, Iran, and China. The former are openly antagonistic to the U.S. in the face of economic sanctions. The latter, the U.S. perceives as a direct threat to its global leadership.

BRICS summit: Is a new bloc emerging to rival US leadership? BBC News, 2023

Whilst Russia and Iran may wish to steer the group in this direction, for most of BRICS, including China, leveraging a collective voice proceeds enhanced co-operation with the U.S. and its allies.

BRICS is not anti-US, it is anti-dependency. What unites members is contempt for western-led financial institutions, and reliance on the U.S. dollar.

Weaponization of the U.S. dollar has accelerated support for BRICS

Last year, the U.S. and its allies took the decision to use their economic might to punish Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, but the move has alarmed leaders around the world.

‘We call for reform of the International system,
and a greater role for emerging markets and developing countries, in leadership positions in its institutions’

XV BRICS Summit, Johannesburg II Declaration, 2023

Freezing nearly half ($300bn) of Russia’s foreign currency reserves and removing Russian banks from SWIFT, a financial service facilitating international payments, is a move akin to a nuclear bomb in the financial world, symbolic of the weaponization of currency.

Policy development of an alternative international payment system of localized currency to de-risk countries against U.S. weaponization of its dollar is underway. This process is often referred to as de-dollarization and occurs in tandem with other BRICS development initiatives such as the New Development Bank.

These initiatives aim to support the development of emerging economies and provide competition to established institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, which stand accused of cripplingly high interest rates which lock emerging economies into debt.

This narrative is convincing for many countries, but others view it as a convenient truth Chinese leadership uses to entice emerging economies to be pawns in its own grand strategy.

BRICS expansion aligns with Chinese foreign policy goals…and doesn’t align with the West’s

For cynics, the alignment of BRICS expansion with Chinese foreign policy is a convenient truth. But for the Chinese, and an increasing number of others, it is more symbolic of an inconvenient truth for the West – its eroding grip on natural resources and power.

With the exception of Argentina, the new BRICS members are MENA countries (Middle East and North Africa). Their admission is symbolic of the regions shift from the American sphere of influence to the Chinese – the strongest advocates for BRICS expansion.

U.S withdrawal from the Middle East left a power vacuum China has been keen to fill. China’s role in brokering the détente between Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose conflict had destabilized several countries in the Middle East – including Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Bahrain already warranted international significance but institutionalizing the relationship represents a major next step toward a more secure long-term relationship, and enhanced leadership prospects for China in the region.

Similarly, Egypt and Ethiopia bridge Africa and the Middle East, conflict concerning rights to the Nile River similarly plagued the relationship. Their admissions and prospects for a more stable relationship compliments Chinese geopolitical ambitions by connecting its foreign policy initiatives on both continents. Yet alignment with Chinese foreign policy shouldn’t detract from the facts on the ground.

The Facts on the Ground

China’s increasing presence in Africa provides economic options and leverage for African nations concerning resource extraction. Localized currency offers a degree of financial flexibility when it comes to debt servicing emerging economies, and a growing presence in the Middle East and South America diversifies control over critical minerals.

This amounts to considerable negotiating power for a group of countries united by a shared history of unfavorable relationships with the West.

Yet for all its potential, BRICS has achieved little for an organization that is 13 years old. Tangible outcomes remain to be seen, but it is clear the voice of emerging economies is growing louder. What they wish to do with it, only time will tell.

Is China’s economy on the verge of collapse?

Sharon Adebola
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Is China’s economy on the verge of collapse?

China’s economy is set to experience many challenges if it does not actively combat its demographic issues as the working population ages.

China’s remarkable economic growth over the past few decades has been closely tied to its vast population. However, the country’s demographics are undergoing a significant transformation that is set to have profound implications for its economy.

As China’s population ages, the nation must navigate a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities to sustain its economic momentum and remain the world’s second-largest economy.

One of the most notable demographic shifts in China is its ageing population. It appears the country is now suffering the effects of the one-child policy implemented between 1979-2015 to mitigate rapid population growth. Hence the emergence of a rapidly ageing society.

The proportion of elderly citizens aged 65 and above is rising as the proportion of the working-age population starts to decline. Statista estimates the size of China’s population between 15 to 64 years (working age) is set to decrease by 117 million between now and 2040.

This foreshadows the magnitude of China’s demographic problems starting to surface. In decades to come, as people start to retire from the labour force there seem to be fewer qualified people to replace them. Could we possibly see the downfall of such an economic power?

Source: UnSplash

Implications for the economy

Firstly, the labour force faces potential shortages, which may be incredibly problematic as the workforce will constrain economic growth.

As the labour force shrinks the productive capacity of the economy shrinks as productivity slows down, meaning output is negatively impacted.

It would naturally follow as output falls economic growth also falls. Depending on the severity of China’s demographic issues in the future, this could lead to sustained periods of recession, which is two or more consecutive quarters of negative economic growth.

Secondly, the anticipation of a recession would add to existent deflationary pressure, which simply means the propensity of consumers and investors to spend falls, negatively impacting aggregate demand.

If the Chinese government fails to quickly address such possibilities, China’s economy may be on its way to collapse.

All hope is not lost

There is still hope for China. To counter the effects of an aging workforce China has heavily invested in automation, artificial intelligence and robotics.

If their investments pay off, these technologies may help to bridge the productivity gap caused by a shrinking workforce. However, the transition to a fully technology-driven economy requires a skilled workforce competent in operating these advanced systems.

Flexibility, foresight and effective policy implementation will be essential to ensure a prosperous future for the nation amidst this demographic shift, or they face the steepest economic decline in years.

Cashless Societies: Good or Bad for democracy?

Aaron Fenton-Hewitt
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Cashless Societies: Good or Bad for democracy?

Over the past few years, questions and concerns have been raised about the effects that modern technology is having on society, and how it affects civil liberties and freedoms.

Over the next five weeks, these effects will be explored at Common Sense.

Is the death of cash bad?

It’s undeniable that contactless and digital payments have revolutionised the way we interact with the world. With more and more businesses only accepting digital transactions for payment, it certainly does seem as if this is the future of commerce.

Online banking is quite a convenient tool. Being able to send money to a person wherever they are in the world in a matter of seconds is something past generations could only dream of. Digitally paying for items, combined with next day delivery service, has numbered the days of having to physically enter a shop.

Digital payments have created a culture of convenience amongst consumers. Convenience, being the key word here, begs the question: is there a catch to this?

In the last few years there have been several concerns raised regarding banking companies, and whether or not a cashless society is truly beneficial for citizens or if it could spell the end of absolute financial autonomy. Many are fearful that such centralised power could be open to abuse by banks, manifesting itself in the form of political discrimination or a self-appointed role of the ‘morality police’.

A recent example of this was the Farage/Coutts scandal, where it was revealed that the bank’s justification for removing the former UKIP Party leader’s accounts from their platform was in part due to his political beliefs that ‘[went against Coutts’] position as an inclusive organisation’.

In December 2020 Visa and MasterCard announced they’d be blocking purchases to adult site PornHub, following a report from the New York Times that alleged the website allowed videos without the consent of the person featured, including revenge pornography, onto the platform.

They subsequently removed approximately 10 million videos within 24 hours following the article’s release.

It was also alleged that the website ‘monetised child rape’ and that it did not have enough safeguards in place to distinguish between legal and illegal content.

The concern that many have from these cases – especially the former – is the existence of a powerful technocracy that can seemingly, for any reason, remove the ability for a person or business to receive or make payments.

It could be argued that the latter case was for moral and ethical reasons. The former case, however, is a demonstrable example of why people are concerned.

The aftermath of TNYT’s bombshell article resulted in Pornhub restricting downloads and removing millions of videos

“Libertarianism can only go so far”

I am a strong believer in free market enterprise and capitalism. I believe in the right to ownership of private property, and I am generally against the idea of state intervention into private business, whether financially or personally. The free market should mean exactly that – free.

The emergence of a technocracy however has, admittedly, tested my resolve. Libertarianism can only go so far.

There are two issues I have with technocracy. The first is the push to remove cash, which removes the competition of the method of payment itself. The second is the centralisation of economic power that comes with it.

My issue with the former is a straightforward one: the elimination of competition. Without cash, digital payments would be the only option that consumers would have, which in turn would embolden banks and finance companies to increase the price of their services. It would give them a monopoly on payment itself.

The latter is where it becomes more concerning. A cashless society would give banks unprecedented financial power over individuals and society itself, as the decisions of all financial purchases would be solely at their mercy.

As much as one may agree with some justifications for banning a user or company from their platforms (the Visa/MasterCard-Pornhub scenario springs to mind), the mere ability to be able to make those decisions worries many.

At best, these institutions would find themselves with the ability to essentially be the financial ‘morality police’, being able to decide who is able to make purchases, when, to whom, and on what. Any transaction they deem to be ‘against their values’ (which is becoming increasingly subjective) would be refused.

Public speaker and agriculturist Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE speaks about holding those in power to account.

At worst, they would be used as a vital tool in the culture wars. Political lobbies – on both the left and the right – would seize the chance to fill the power vacuum. If either side managed to influence a person in a position of power and/or influence at the bank, it would represent a serious threat to both democracy and individual liberty.

Banks would be used as tools to disrupt (or halt altogether) transactions by political enemies. If you were deemed to be using language or expressing opinions that ‘didn’t align with the bank’s values’, you couldn’t function.

Legally, the bank couldn’t stop you from saying certain things, but they could ban you from using their platform.

Imagine, for example, that a Christian pastor preached against same sex marriage. If Stonewall, or another LGBT organisation, managed to influence senior officials, and convince them that preaching against same sex marriage violated its values, the bank would simply ‘debank’ the pastor.

This would, essentially, undermine free speech and expression, which is a legal right in the UK. It would mean that banks, not the law, could decide what can and can’t be said, practically.

In the modern world it’s impossible to function without a bank account. It’s one thing to believe in free markets and libertarianism, but what happens when the company becomes the market itself?

Are civil liberties for sale?

A free market should be exactly that – free. Technocracy is a threat to this. If private companies can decide what an individual spends their money on, then by definition it is not a ‘free’ market.

Is the ULEZ expansion unfair to low-income families?

Sharon Adebola
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Is the ULEZ expansion unfair to low-income families?

As of August 29th 2023, the much anticipated Ultra Low Emission Zone expansion will come into full effect in an effort to reduce emissions and pursue cleaner air. 

The ULEZ initially introduced in Central London in 2019 is expanding to cover a broader area. New areas ULEZ will expand to include: Bromley, Chingford, Heathrow and other locations. 

Following the success of ULEZ in central London, 97% of vehicles meet cleaner standards, NOx emissions have fallen by 26% within 4 years and PM2.5 emissions decreased by 19%. Such progress prompted the ambitious expansion plan that has now commenced. 

Air pollution has been a pressing concern in London for years, with its negative impact on public health and the environment becoming increasingly evident. ULEZ was introduced by levying charges on vehicles that did not meet strict emission standards when driving in a specific zone. 

Source: Transport for London

The expansion is expected to lead to significant reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter emissions, which are major contributors to respiratory issues and air pollution-related health problems. Hence the initiative aims to increase the use of cleaner vehicles such as electric or hybrid cars. 

If vehicles do not meet ULEZ emission standards, owners could face a daily £12.50 fee. You can check if your vehicle meets ULEZ emission standards here. 

Scrappage scheme

For owners of vehicles that fall short of these standards, help is available through the scrappage scheme TfL has introduced. London residents are eligible for the Mayor of London’s £160 million scrappage scheme, allowing residents to receive payments to scrap their vehicle or choose TfL transport passes that hold a similar monetary value to the payout. 

There are also alternative offers available whether you apply for the scrappage scheme or not. Existing ULEZ exemptions have been gracefully extended for vehicles that will be ready after the ULEZ expansion. 

Unfair to low-income families

While the ULEZ is a commendable step forward, some things must be addressed. A daily charge of £12.50 for non-compliant vehicles may disproportionately affect low-income households or small businesses. Many are already suffering the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis and will be pushed into a place of deeper financial struggle. 

For some, their non-compliant vehicles is a means of providing for their families as they travel to work. Now there is an additional cost that they must now consider as they commute to work.

Although it’s anticipated that London and places beyond will experience improved air quality and health benefits. It is questionable whether the ULEZ expansion could have taken place at a later time that would favour people during the present financial struggle many are currently going through. 

Big Win For Biden Administration In ROK-Japan Rapprochement

Shane Green
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Big Win For Biden Administration In ROK-Japan Rapprochement

From alliance protection to alliance projection. The rapprochement between two long-time adversaries with deeply held historical grievances marks the beginning of a new security chapter in Asia and the Indo-Pacific.

Last week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met together with U.S. President Joe Biden, in a historic summit which outlined commitments of long-time foes South Korea and Japan to expand cooperation trilaterally with the United States.

Specifically, the joint communique released by the three leaders identifies cooperation with an intention to uphold the ‘rules-based international order’, continued efforts to defend and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and enhanced collaboration in economic, scientific, and technological innovation.

Tangible outputs from the meeting include agreements to improve trilateral mechanisms facilitating ‘regular and timely communication’ between leadership teams, in addition to increased military-to-military co-operation between the ROK and Japan.

Yet, the significance of the summit lies not in its tangibles but its symbolic embodiment of rapprochement between two long-time adversaries to counter common threats in the region.

How South Korea and Japan will co-operate against North Korea on defence

The existential threat of WMDs is once-again a poignant one, thanks to the global-cinematic success of Oppenheimer. In South Korea, such threats are very real indeed.

On Wednesday 23rd August 2023, millions of South Koreans took part in a nationwide civil defence drill – the first in six years – amidst rising threats from North Korea. In an eerie affair, minute-long air-raid sirens signalled residents to evacuate to the nearest bomb shelter. The U.S. nuclear umbrella is committed to defending the South in the event of an attack.

For Japan, North Korea posing a direct threat is a more recent phenomenon, thanks to the North’s advancements in its ballistic missile programme. In July, North Korea fired a ballistic missile which landed within Japanese maritime waters. Co-operation with South Korea and the United States on ballistic missile defence has become an increasing priority, but not the foremost priority.

It’s the economy…stupid? Economics underpins ROK-Japan rapprochement

The most pressing national security concern of both Japan and the ROK today is China. China’s ability to hold-at-ransom the economies and supply chains of the ROK and Japan is perceived as a major strategic vulnerability, given its increasingly assertive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific.

The joint communique issued from Camp David identifies explicitly ’dangerous, aggressive, and coercive behaviour’ by China in the South China Sea as troublesome. The fact this concern is voiced ahead of concerns regarding North Korea is no coincidence.

China is the largest trading partner to both Japan and the ROK. The two have thus negotiated a careful balancing act historically, as key U.S. military allies, but with strong economic linkages with Chinese markets.

However, a strategic shift has clearly occurred, with both the ROK and Japan now in near-full strategic alignment with U.S. foreign policy toward China marking a transition from alliance protection to alliance projection.

What’s changed?

This year, South Korean President Yoon Seok Yul announced an agreement detailing the ROK would no longer demand that Japanese companies compensate Korean victims of wartime forced labor, with a state-run foundation funded by private companies instead footing the bill.

The enslavement of many Koreans as part of Japan’s forceful occupation of Korea between 1910 and 1945 has long remained wedged in the Korean psyche and had been a key inflection point in a tumultuous bilateral relationship. Under Japanese occupation, over 150,000 Koreans were forced to work in factories and mines, some to enlist as soldiers, or in the case of many Korean women – work in military brothels to service Japanese soldiers.

Victims of Japanese forced labor victims during the colonial period, hold banners reading “Apologize for forced labour and fulfill the compensation” during an anti-Japan protest on Liberation Day in Seoul, South Korea, August 15, 2019. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Despite strong domestic opposition to the deal, it seems President Yoon Suk Yeol saw the settlement as an acceptable means-to-an-end of hostilities between the two nations, and the beginning of a new chapter of co-operation against an increasingly assertive China. This was undoubtedly mediated by the U.S., representing a seriously impressive piece of diplomacy by the Biden administration, and a symbolic moment demarcating a new age of Japan-ROK relations.

China views the Camp David summit as a further step taken by the U.S. in its attempts to forge a NATO for the Indo-Pacific

China-Russia Joint Sea military exercises in response to AUKUS announcement. From a military port in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang Province on December 20, 2022. Global Times.

China views tri-lateral co-operation as part of U.S. plans to forge a NATO for the Indo-Pacific to contain China. Last month, NATO held its annual summit in Vilneus. With the ROK and Japan both present, as well as Australia and New Zealand. A joint statement released from the summit took aim at China and the PRC.

Meanwhile, talks have begun to open a NATO liaison office in Japan – the first in Asia. The U.S. denies development of a NATO for the Pacific, but it’s easy to sympathize with Chinese accusations that the U.S. is playing cold war bloc politics amidst other new security initiatives announced in the region. AUKUS is a trilateral security agreement between Australia, The United Kingdom, and the United States where the latter will provide the former with nuclear submarines for patrol in the Indo-Pacific. Whilst the QUAD is another U.S. led strategic security initiative to counter Chinese influence, with Australia, Japan, and India partners.

In much of Asia, the shadow of colonialism and hard-fought independence taints the ideal of submission to a Western-led security alliance. This begs the question as to whether such developments represent a NATO for the Indo-Pacific, or NATO in the Indo-Pacific. The prospect of NATO expansion brought war to Ukraine. Having already poked the bear, the U.S. and its allies now risk poking the panda.

The Lionesses encouraged girls to dream big

Sharon Adebola
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The Lionesses encouraged girls to dream big

Following the Lionesses defeat on Sunday they have certainly won the hearts of the British people, inspiring many through their tenacity and grit.

In hindsight, the Lionesses absolutely persisted through this World Cup. Never in history has an England team reached a FIFA women’s world cup. England has qualified for a women’s world cup six times, as their journey terminated at the quarter-finals in 1995, 2007 and 2011. They finished fourth in 2019 and third in 2015.

Match insights into the Lionesses’ performance at the world cup this year include winning 2-1 against Columbia allowing them to progress to the semi-finals where they beat Australia 3-1, which allowed them to enter the finals where they were unfortunately defeated 1-0 by Spain.

Source: FIFA

Encouraging girls to dream big

The tenacity of the Lionesses inspired a new era of women’s football that captured the hearts of fans and ignited the aspirations of the next generation. The tournament showcased the immense talent, dedication, and determination of female athletes, paving the way for an empowering narrative that will undoubtedly shape the future of the sport.

The Lionesses’ journey in the 2023 women’s world cup shattered age-old stereotypes surrounding women’s football. With each electrifying match, they displayed skill, strategy and athleticism that easily compares to men’s football. The powerful performance of the Lionesses’ has proven football is definitely not defined by gender but by passion and dedication to the sport.

They have undoubtedly encouraged young girls to dream big and pursue their goals fearlessly no matter the previous traditional beliefs of society.

They have emerged not just as mere athletes but as role models and true women of substance. The level of leadership and persistence when tackling challenges on the pitch was truly admirable. Demonstrating success is not solely about winning but about personal growth and seeking to make a positive impact within society thinking beyond themselves.
Lessons to be learnt by every budding athlete.

“This is why we play”

In conversation with Sky News, the team’s captain, Millie Bright, emotionally mentioned “This is why we play…we play for all the little kids out there…boys and girls that hopefully wanna grow up and be like us”

Being exemplary figures is something this team have embodied whole-heartedly by acknowledging their responsibility as female public figures, seeking to change the narrative around women’s football.

The current PM, Rishi Sunak echoes the thoughts of many when tweeting that the team has “already secured [their] legacy as game changers” going on to later say how proud he was of the team.

Consequently, interest in women’s football has surged with communities encouraged to invest in girl’s youth programmes and provide a platform for aspiring players.

As media coverage and public interest grow, perceived notions about the capability and marketability of female athletes are being challenged as we move towards more progressive societal outlooks.

Students ‘robbed’ of their efforts due to grade deflation

Sharon Adebola
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Students ‘robbed’ of their efforts due to grade deflation

Amid A-level grade deflation, UCAS reports over 10,000 students have gained university places through clearing; a sharp increase from 6,600 last year.

Traditionally, A-level results day in the UK is a time of excitement and anticipation for many students. It marks the culmination of years of hard work and study, determining their academic trajectory and university prospects.

However, in recent years, due to covid disruptions, the education landscape has been painted by concerns of grade deflation and increased anxiety amongst students.

UCAS reports over 200,000 A-level students have gained places at their first or second choices, which is almost 10,000 fewer than the 2022 figures. Post-pandemic adjustments to A-level grades meant thousands missed out on their initial course offers due to adjustments made to restore grades back to pre-pandemic levels.

Grade deflation is where students receive lower grades than anticipated due to changes in assessment methods and adjustments made to marking standards. While the goal of maintaining the integrity of academic standards is crucial, the unintended consequences of grade deflation have been far-reaching. Students who would have comfortably secured university places are left grappling with lower grades and unexpectedly enter clearing.

Source: GILAXIA

The rise of clearing

This year clearing has gained new prominence due to grade depletion.

Clearing traditionally involves students who have narrowly missed their offers gaining spaces at universities they have not previously applied to. For many this process can be daunting as uncertainty around finding a course/place best suited to them can get the better of them. Hence, pressure mounts as they navigate unfamiliar territory that their future depends on.

The issue here stems from A-level students feeling like they have borne the brunt of covid impacting their education and still suffer the consequences post-pandemic. Although the integrity of academic standards must be maintained, surely there must be extra considerations put in place in an effort to support and acknowledge the severity of their situation.

Many feel ‘robbed’ of their efforts

The reality for many of these students has been periods of constant disruption where departments and staff are sent home due to covid outbreaks, and students have to self-teach and sit exams on content from a syllabus they’ve briefly completed. Yet, the education system has still not adequately performed to support these students as many feel ‘robbed’ of their efforts.

As grade deflation continues to impact A-level results, many fear a similar situation for GCSE results day on the 24th of August 2023. Moving forward, educators and policymakers must consider strategies to effectively address the post-pandemic long-term impacts that have emerged. For effective progress to happen, transparency in grading methodologies must be enhanced ensuring better guidance is provided to students. This in turn aids their understanding of grading.

Welcome To The Indo-Pacific: The World’s Chessboard

Shane Green
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Welcome To The Indo-Pacific: The World’s Chessboard

Connecting the geographies of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Indo-Pacific region hosts over half of the world’s people, almost two thirds of the world’s economy, and seven of the world’s largest militaries – not least China and the United States. Many remain unaware of escalating tensions and the dangers they pose to global order. This article is your introduction to continued coverage of the region, where we will take a deep-dive into some of the key issues defining the region.

Two superpowers competing for geopolitical influence, the world’s most valuable supply chain of semi-conductors, territorial disputes in the South-China Sea, and a nuclearized Korean peninsula. Welcome to the Indo-Pacific: the world’s chessboard.

Geopolitical Rivalry

The two superpowers of China and the United States shape the Indo-Pacific. Historically, the relationship is one of complexity. The infamous secret meeting between Henry Kissinger and Zhou Enlai in 1971 paved the way for Nixon’s visit to China in 1972, and China’s opening to the world. Deng Xiaoping’s historic trip to the U.S. socialized the ideal of improved Sino-U.S. relations following the war against communism. Just 10 years later, the world witnessed the brutal suppression of dissent in the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, relations cooled.

Globalization since has seen the two economies become heavily intertwined. China’s rapid economic growth in the prevailing decades has seen it embrace leadership of development initiatives around the world. Thanks to its Belt and Road Initiative, China has invested more than US$3 trillion in global infrastructure. Such leadership threatens U.S. pre-eminence as the de-facto global leader, creating a sense of urgency, often culminating in China hysteria and calls for economic decoupling.

Semi-conductors

Continued economic growth demands technological know-how. Last week, the White House announced a ban on U.S. investment in Chinese tech sectors, seeking to limit Chinese progress in key strategic areas. One such area is semi-conductors – the world’s most critical technology.

Ingrained into every aspect of modern-being, they are the chips powering the technological revolution. From computers, smartphones, and 5G networks, to artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and advanced weaponry. The U.S. and its Indo-Pacific allies in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan dominate the industry, with 39%, 16%, 12%, and 9% of market share respectively. Much of America’s military primacy stems from its ability to re-purpose semiconductor technology to military uses.

Reliance on U.S. technology limits Chinese capabilities – both militarily and industrially. China has invested heavily to develop indigenous semiconductor technology and supply chain capabilities. Chinese firms doubled their market share since 2015, now accounting for 6% of total market share. Currently, China remains crucially dependent on the U.S. and its allies at key stages of production, whom would like to keep it that way.

Territorial Disputes

The South-China Sea is a key source of tension in the Indo-Pacific. Competing territorial claims position a host of countries at odds with one another, including some of the region’s largest actors.

China, Vietnam, the Phillipines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei all claim sovereignty over disputed territory in the South-China Sea. Most notably, China’s infamous nine-dash line, in which it claims the vast majority of the South-China Sea, is vehemently opposed by many of its neighbours and the United States.

Just recently, Chinese Coastal Guards drew attention following a confrontation with a Philippine supply ship whereby the former fired at the latter with water cannons.  A U.S. mutual defence ally, encounters like this one edge us nervously toward a U.S.-China military confrontation.

The Korean Peninsula

Heading East, the Korean Peninsula is one of the world’s most heavily fortified areas. Despite the 1953 Ceasefire, tensions remain high between the North and the South following the Korean War, owing much to the North’s likely successful development of nuclear weapons. Both desire reunification in the long-term.

The Kim dynasty, which leads North Korea, casts a long shadow. The family are paranoid, perhaps justifiably, of attempts to oust the regime, led by the United States. The U.S. retains over 28,500 troops in South Korea, alongside a full range of conventional, nuclear and missile-defence capabilities. The U.S. and South Korea share a Mutual Defence Treaty dating back to 1953.

The Korean Peninsula is an important strategic buffer zone for the United States and China in their own ideological confrontation, hence their continued support following the war, for the two countries either side of the demilitarized zone (DMZ).

Next Time

The Indo-Pacific is a region mired by security dilemmas. In the coverage that follows, we’ll delve deeper into the issues outlined above, and beyond.

Farage has done the British public a favour

Aaron Fenton-Hewitt
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Farage has done the British public a favour

NatWest CEO Alison Rose has resigned after admitting she was the source of incorrect information that led to a false BBC report claiming that Nigel Farage had his account shut down due to financial issues rather than political affiliation.

In an apology to Farage, Rose wrote, “I was wrong to respond to any question raised by the BBC about this case. I want to extend my sincere apologies to Mr Farage for the personal hurt this has caused him and I have written to him today”.

NatWest chairman Howard Davies said it was a “regrettable error of judgement on her part”.

Farage, 59, demanded an investigation into how his financial information was made available to the public, further escalating a situation between himself and Coutts/NatWest.

This led to a BBC report that attempted to undermine Farage’s accusations by claiming his account was shut down for financial reasons rather than political ones.

BBC business editor Simon Jack publicly apologised to Farage.

Farage has now called for Davies and Coutts CEO Peter Flavel to be sacked.

Nigel Farage calls for sackings at NatWest

Civil liberties are at stake

Nigel Farage has, inadvertently, done the British public a good service by bringing to light a sad and dangerous truth that many people can no longer deny exists.

Technological political discrimination is here. The attempted undermining of Farage’s version of events proves this.

It is an open secret that many have either denied or secretly agreed with due to their opposition to the views of the ‘guilty’ party.

It’s one thing for a company to not want to associate themselves with an individual or brand. The Visa/MasterCard-Pornhub fiasco shows that companies have legal, ethical and financial decisions to make when deciding who to do business with.

It’s another thing entirely for a company to ‘cancel’ a person for expressing legally-held opinions or beliefs that do not conform to a certain political orthodoxy.

Banking is a part of modern living. It is needed to be able to pay for services and products that people need to survive. Banking is itself an essential service.

Therefore to ‘debank’ a person, for no legal reason, is quite a serious issue. Should banks be able to decide who can use their services based on what they believe?

Freedom of speech would be directly impacted, as many individuals would be intimidated into silence on certain topics and ideas.

Banks could be used as a tool to be weaponised by certain political lobbies against their opponents, thereby restricting freedom of speech by proxy.

This could have implications on other services that are considered ‘essential’, such as energy. Could an energy company refuse to provide a person with water, gas or electricity due to their legally-held political beliefs?

Dr. Rakib Ehsan voices his concerns about the Farage-Coutts fiasco

Many people are understandably worried about the implications for such a concept. In fact, the use of cash in itself is seen by some as a political statement, not wanting their financial freedom dictated by private companies.

This could – and probably will, without immediate action from the Government – have implications on the future of freedom of speech.

If freedom of speech is to continue in this country, the Government must act to safeguard it – which could lead to regulatory legislation, applicable to banks and other essential service providers.

What now?

After Rose announced her resignation, NatWest shares fell by 2.5%.

Mr Farage has accused Dame Alison of breaking client confidentiality rules and feels as if she had taken ‘too long’ to resign, saying, “The first rule of banking is client confidentiality. She [Dame Alison] clearly broke that.”

He added that anybody in a more junior position at the bank would have been “out of the door”.

Howard Davies said the bank would now conduct an independent review, in cooperation with the financial regulator, who emphasised the importance of “[having] access to all the necessary information and people in order to investigate what happened swiftly and fully”.

Starmer must unveil bolder policies to win over sceptics

Sharon Adebola
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Starmer must unveil bolder policies to win over sceptics

Starmer must be an audacious leader to lead the Labour Party to victory in the next general election.

The party’s defeat in the 2019 general election left the party in a dire state searching for a strong and competent leader. Over the past three years, Starmer’s leadership has come under heavy scrutiny as many question his competence and direction.  

Whilst he demonstrated a measured and pragmatic approach to the party, his style and communication have been deeply criticised for lacking passion and charisma. A charismatic leader is needed to stimulate and energise the public so that a bridge of trust/unity is maintained between the party and the electorate. 

The recent by-elections were not a clean sweep for Labour as they failed to win the Uxbridge & South Ruislip constituency. The Lib Dems also occupied Somerton & Frome by a clean sweep. If anything, this demonstrates more work must be done to fully gain the confidence of the electorate. 

YouGov polls also imply a gap between where the Labour Party seeks to position itself for the upcoming general election compared to its current position. With 0 meaning one would never vote for the party and 1o meaning one would definitely consider voting for the party, there’s a 4.42 chance an individual would consider voting for the Labour Party in the next election. 

However, there’s a 3.13 chance an individual would consider voting for the Tories at the next election. Although support has declined for the conservatives, the Labour party has not drastically gained a number of voters; insinuating there’s part of the electorate that are undecided on how to vote and need clarity on the vision of the labour party. This clarity must emerge from the leader of the party, Kier Starmer. A figure that must uphold the party and provide hope for the electorate. 

Starmer must rethink his communication strategy, fostering new ways to boldly articulate the vision of the Labour Party as he reconnects with the wider electorate. This would strengthen the possibility of the party having a united front and an audacious leader as they gear up towards the general elections. 

Could Labour win big in Uxbridge?

Sharon Adebola
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Could Labour win big in Uxbridge?

As the Uxbridge by-election nears, what could this possibly mean for the future of British politics?

The Uxbridge by-election set to happen today, follows the recent resignation of Boris Johnson. The electorate has over 15 candidates to vote for amongst the Tory candidate Steve Tuckwell and Labour candidate Danny Beales. 

Historically, Uxbridge has strongly backed the Tories. However, the recent events of party gate and Johnson’s conduct have given the electorate reason to question the leadership of their constituency. 

Traditionally, by-elections have been known to inform the government about public opinions and gauge the standings of the electorate. Hence, the Uxbridge by-election is a strong indicator of what may happen in the 2024 general election.

Could this be a win for labour?

For some, the Uxbridge by-election may be a strong win for the Labour Party as they lead by a fair percentage in the polls. If so, Danny Beales will become the next elected representative for Uxbridge and South Ruislip.

Moreover, this is Labour’s opportunity to successfully perform in Uxbridge, reassuring their current supporters of their competency. There may be a stronger sense of unity within the party as confidence grows in their leadership.

This by-election is a great opportunity to observe the electorate’s response to policy proposals and build momentum, as we gear up towards the 2024 general election. 

However, Labour policy proposals such as the ULEZ expansion seem unfavourable amongst the Uxbridge electorate, as Labour MPs raise doubts over winning in Uxbridge because of Sadiq Khan’s plans to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, costing many drivers £12.50 per day. 

Although the Uxbridge constituency has been traditionally blue, it’s fair to say victory may just fall into Labour’s hands. The damage done by Tory leadership has convinced the electorate of their current incompetence. This is not to say the Tories may not bounce back. However, it may be time for Labour to take charge this time. 

Could this be a win for labour?

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