Author: Daniel Okonkwo

Diplomatic Analysis: Fénelon’s 18th-century novel offers enduring insights into leadership, statecraft, and the perils of unchecked power, remaining remarkably relevant to contemporary geopolitical challenges. This analysis examines François Fénelon’s The Adventures of Telemachus, published in 1699, exploring its surprisingly prescient lessons for international relations and strategic decision-making. While largely overlooked today, the novel provides lasting […]

Strategic autonomy, economic interdependence, and risk mitigation drive Asian responses to US policy changes. Overview Recent years have witnessed significant volatility in US foreign policy, particularly toward Asia, characterised by the “America First” doctrine under the Trump administration and ongoing strategic competition with China. This has prompted Asian nations to recalibrate their diplomatic and economic […]

A Forward Sustainment Framework is Crucial for Realising the Navy’s Unmanned Vision. The United States Navy is rapidly investing in unmanned systems, envisioning them as integral to a “hedge strategy” designed to disperse forces and enhance regional presence, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. However, a critical gap exists: the ability to effectively maintain and repair these […]

Diplomatic Analysis: Russia’s expansion of its armed forces, despite failing to achieve decisive gains in Ukraine, signals a long-term shift in military posture with potential implications for European security. Overview This analysis examines Russia’s dramatic expansion of its armed forces during the Russo-Ukrainian War, assessing the motivations, methods, and ultimate limitations of this effort. The […]

The IMF, the World Bank, and the Debt Crisis Threatening West Africa’s Last Democratic Standout Senegal, long considered a beacon of democratic stability in a turbulent West Africa, faces an escalating economic crisis. The discovery of concealed debt accumulated under the previous administration – estimated between $7 and $13 billion – has catapulted the country’s […]

Diplomatic Analysis: Beijing views current stability not as convergence, but as a strategic pause in ongoing competition. This analysis examines a recently published report by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), a think tank affiliated with China’s Ministry of State Security, concerning the state of US-China relations. The report, released alongside President Trump’s […]

Despite substantial funding, the Palestinian Fund for Reconstruction and Development faces significant hurdles to effective Gaza recovery. Overview The Palestinian Fund for Reconstruction and Development (PFRD), established in 2014 following the Gaza conflict, remains central to international efforts to rebuild the territory. A recent World Bank review (October-December 2025) paints a complex picture. While significant […]