Covid-19

Sakoku 2.0: COVID-19 Keeping Japan Closed
Unlike many other countries, Japan’s borders remain closed due to COVID-19, reminding some of the isolationist “Sakoku” period. Nonetheless, domestic and international pressure for Japan’s reopening persists.

Vaccinations in Israel: Extraordinary Success or Ordinary Exclusion?
More than half of Israel’s population has now received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite these impressive results, criticisms of Israel’s exclusion of Palestinians from its vaccination campaign have come to the fore.

The “Great Recession” vs the “Great Lockdown”
Along with massive consequences for public health, the global pandemic has taken a toll on the world economy. Due to mandatory lockdowns, economic activity has been all but crippled, barring the operations of most of non-essential businesses.

Srecko Latal: Biden’s Victory Brings New Opportunities And Old Risks For The Balkans
An arena for global power games for centuries, the Balkans has yet again become the site of geopolitical competition with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Tale of Two Populist Reactions to COVID-19 in Latin America
Espousing different political leanings (from right- to left-wing) and exhibiting varying degrees of intensity (whether rarely or frequently employing divisive rhetoric), at least five of Latin America’s current presidents can be seen as embodying the populist ideology.

Fiscal Stimulus Packages amid COVID-19 Pandemic Not Promising in the Middle East and North Africa
The ways in which countries across the Middle East and North Africa are combating the economic backlash presented by coronavirus reveal much about the states of their economies and overall capacities to deal with the consequences of the pandemic.

Bruce W. Jentleson: Biden is a Stronger Candidate Even Without COVID-19
Bruce W. Jentleson: Contrast between Biden’s Competence and Trump’s Narcissism could actually make Biden a stronger Candidate even without COVID-19

The Parameters of Joe Biden’s Search for a Running Mate
Joe Biden’s running mate would be second in line to assume the office of the US presidency should he win, so the selection process is vital. In this context, the George Floyd Protests and COVID-19 have reshaped the field of VP candidates in favor of a woman of color.

COVID-19 and the Past and Future of Pandemics
The novel coronavirus will cause diverse systemic changes across the globe, but it isn’t the first and certainly won’t be the last pandemic to threaten life as we know it