Past Session Topics
These are some of the topics which have been presented by our society members and debated at the Geopolitics Society:
The Arctic
Topics:
- The growing strategic context of the Arctic region
- Access to natural resources
- Trade routes
- China-Russia dynamic in the Arctic
- Western responses and challenges
- Role of existing organisations (Arctic council and CAFF)
Discussion question example:
"Can existing frameworks like the Arctic Council effectively manage disputes and ensure sustainable development in the region "
Topics:
- The historical context of Thailand and Cambodia
- The May 28th 2025 border clash and other past border clashes
- Responses to the 28th May clash
- The involvement of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- Maritime disputes
- Overall motives of each party
- Wider powers at play and the involvement of President Donald Trump
Discussion question examples:
"Are these skirmishes a real threat to Cambodia’s/Thailand’s border or a chance for political leaders to spur nationalism"
"Is the ICJ the best solution for countries in solving border disputes"
Thai-Cambodian border dispute
India-Pakistan conflict
- The growing strategic context of the Arctic region
- Access to natural resources
- Trade routes
- China-Russia dynamic in the Arctic
- Western responses and challenges
- Role of existing organisations (Arctic council and CAFF)
Discussion question example:
"Can existing frameworks like the Arctic Council effectively manage disputes and ensure sustainable development in the region "
China’s VC parade, BRICs and the new Global Order
Topics:
- Details on China's Victory parade, its purpose the appearence of Xi-Putin-Kim and the abscence of Modi
- 2025 SCO summit and the goals of the SCO
- What is BRICs, why it was formed, and how it functions
- How BRICs works, not a treaty alliance like NATO but provides mutual financial support through the Contingent Reserve Arrangment (CRA) and leads institutions like NDB
- The successes of the NDB (New Development Bank)
- The strengths and challenges of BRICs
- A new opportunity for BRICs for multipolarity, opposed to US-led unipolarity through its shift towards isolationism and the lack of effective global governance through the UN
Discussion question example:
"Is it more beneficial for developing countries like Indonesia to join BRICs than to not?"
"Can India and China overcome their rivalry to make BRICS effective?"
Iran-Israel conflict
Topics:
- Israeli military operations: Operation Days of Repentance and Rising Lion
- Iran's acceleration in nuclear acceleration development
The Fordow problem, Iran's underground nuclear facility containing 90% of Iran's weapon-grade uranium
- Regional implications - nuclear proliferation, Saudi Arabia has stated that it would pursue the development of nuclear weapons if Iran obtains them
- International implications - China and Russia have emerged as Iran's diplomatic shields e.g. 2025 Iran-Russia strategic partnership agreement
Discussion question example:
"Was the USA's strike on Iran justified?"
"Should Iran be allowed to have nuclear weapons?"
Other topics discussed also include...
- Current tensions arising between The US and Venezuela and the like lihood for direct conflict in the near future
- Tariffs and their impact on global politics
- Corruption in Eastern Europe
- The Ukraine mining deal
- Neocolonialsm in Africa
- Cartels and drugs in South America
- Tensions in the South China Sea