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Ukraine | Page 2-3

A review of the progress of the Russo-Ukranian war, and the lessons we have learnt so far

South Korea | Page 4-5

Underpopulation in South Korea is wrongly attributed to the faults of the younger generation; changes are needed

U.S. Politics | Page 12-13

Sarah Palin’s bid for political relevance materialises in the form of a suit against the Times

By Jae Eun Liz Chung ‘25 ARTLESS STUDENT WRITER

One year on from r ussia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict has changed the way we think about vital global issues and taught us valuable lessons. Beyond the terrible human cost, the war’s effects have touched countless aspects of life and of global politics. Not only has it redrawn geopolitical energy supply lines, but it also strengthened alliances among Western countries and deepened divisions with China, put the use of nuclear weapons on the table for the first time in decades, and taught us ¶

Turkey and Syria: A Humanitarian Crisis of War and Civil Strife

By Ha Jin Lily Kim ‘28 ARTLESS STUDENT WRITER

As of now the t urkey and Syria crisis has escalated to a serious degree.

Turkey’s violent advancements have been noted by the global population as Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatens to launch a fourth military incursion into northeast Syria. Their attacks have been escalating for years, starting in early 2016 and their consistent air raids and ¶ see Middle East Page 5

¶the importance of leadership in moments of crisis.

One area where this impact has been felt is in China’s approach to reunification with Taiwan.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to view reunification with Taiwan as its ultimate objective, but the conflict in Ukraine has caused China’s policymakers to reassess their approach. China’s policy makers liken the expansion of NATO in Europe to what they view as the “NATO-ization” of the East, as the United States strengthens alliances. Second, Beijing has been taken aback by the strength and resolve of Western nations to impose sanctions and suffer hardships with their actions against Russia. The CCP presumed that actions would resemble those of 2014, following the annexation of the Crimea, where the West was cautious about harming its own interests with any sanctions imposed. With the strengthening of alliances throughout Asia, Beijing is now aware that any invasion of Taiwan will come at considerable economic cost, in addition to the diplomatic and political fall-out.

Third, the difficulty that Russia has faced in a land invasion across a shared border reinforces the difficulty that the Chinese armed forces would face in a seaborne invasion of Taiwan. The forces will need to perfect joint operations, something that will be facilitated by the Chinese reaction to a future potential visit by Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy to Taiwan. Overall, the current balance of power in East Asia means that forced reunification with Taiwan is not possible in the near future. For Xi Jinping and the CCP, the priority is to prevent a declaration of independence by Taiwan, which would be a significant blow to their legitimacy. Instead, China is likely to focus on increasing economic and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan while building up its military capabilities.

In terms of global diplomacy, it has been proven that Putin’s regime cannot be trusted and needs to be defeated. Six months of Russia’s genocidal war against Ukraine, as well as years of the Kremlin’s invasions of neighbouring states and more recent hybrid warfare against the West, have made it clear that any agreements with Putin’s regime are simply not viable and often counterproductive. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014 after having committed to be a guarantor of its sovereignty and territorial integrity under the Budapest Memorandum; in its most recent assault, the Kremlin seized one-fifth of Ukraine’s territories following years of negotiations over the conflict in Ukraine within the Normandy format and the Minsk agreements. Moscow has been vocal about its disrespect for international law, liberal institutions, and all kinds of international treaties with partners and rivals alike. By committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine, violating the basic principle of freedom of navigation, weaponizing food supplies and refugees, and engaging in energy and nuclear blackmail, Putin’s regime has posed existential threats not only to the future of the Ukrainian nation, but also to world order. Appeasement, dialogue, and compromises with an aggressor have never worked. Russia escalates when it senses weakness while withdraws when it senses strength. If the world wants a sustainable peace in the region, the West must learn the language of power, which is the only language Putin understands.

Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy (also transliterated as Zelensky or Zelenskiy; born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician and former comedian and actor who has served as the sixth and current (as of March 2023) president of Ukraine since 2019. Zelenskyy played the Ukrainian president in a popular sitcom, Servant of the People, before winning the 2019 election as a political outsider. Shortly after his ascension to the presidency, the Russian war against Ukraine escalated. Zelenskyy has been a vocal proponent of Ukraine’s membership in NATO, anti-corruption policies, and unity between Ukrainian and Russian-speaking members of the country. Zelenskyy was chosen as TIME magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year. Sergei Supinski | AFP, Getty Images

Ukraine

Furthermore, the role of leaders has emerged as another key element in moments of crisis. “I need ammunition, not a ride.” With those six words one year ago, President Zelenskyy galvanised his country and focused the world’s attention on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Citizens of Ukraine have been singularly inspired by his simple, hands-on style of leadership, a refreshing change from the “norm” in redefining the traits normally associated with other leaders. Zelenskyy’s response to a crucible moment in his nation’s history has set the gold standard for crisis leadership. As a political novice, he has prevailed against an intimidating enemy, on the international stage, and in the hearts and minds of his compatriots. His virtue-based leadership and authenticity resonate deeply, the antithesis to the leadership style of his more seasoned adversary enabling him to prevail after having been summarily dismissed by President Putin at the outset of the conflict. Zelenskyy has proven to be the right leader, at the right time, at the right place, and even far-seeing in his introductory address three years earlier when he closed by saying: “All my life I tried to do all I could so that Ukrainians laughed. That was my mission. Now I will do all I can so that Ukrainians at least do not cry anymore.”