I would like to start off by inviting everyone to reflect on the term “Food Security”. What should this mean to the planning departments in government agencies? How should national planners evaluate the status of our “security” with respect to food supply in our country? Is it by listing the self-sufficiency levels (SSLs) of the common food items consumed by our population? And then somehow summating them to give an aggregate over-all SSL? Should we give weightage to any of the food items? (…)

The British centre- left newspaper The Guardian is not quite spelling it out. Michael Rosen in 2022 As we amble along in our [North West] corner of Europe and our wing of the crumbling 'western alliance', it's not always clear how the economic system that has grown up over the last 200 years or so, is one that inevitably means competition, conflict and often war. For example, it's hard to show or prove that Britain invading Iraq was something to do with capitalism or imperialism when (…)

The regional conference “Without Borders: LGBTI Rights and Democracy in the Western Balkans” was held in Skopje from 28th February to 2nd March. This traditional annual gathering brought together representatives of progressive political parties from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia, as well as representatives from academia, civil sector, MPs and journalists. The conference served as a platform for discussing the previous year and planning activities for 2025. (…)

What drives Russia's persistent imperial ambitions? This fascinating analysis traces Russia's centuries-long pattern of territorial expansion and colonial domination, from the medieval Grand Duchy of Moscow through the Soviet era to today's actions in Ukraine. Drawing on insights from Russian philosophers, historians, and social scientists, Zbigniew Kowalewski reveals how imperialism became deeply embedded in Russian state policy and national identity. He traces how Russia's distinct form (…)