Review – Confronting China
Confronting China offers sharp policy insights but leans too heavily on military competition, overlooking key economic and political factors in US-China rivalry.
Reviews
Review – The Flats
This haunting docu-drama explores Belfast’s New Lodge through trauma, memory, and resilience, blending archival footage with staged scenes for a powerful impact.
Review – World Statehood
Patomäki’s book is a rich, critical take on world statehood, blending history, philosophy, and governance, however its length and lack of coherence weaken its impact.
Review – 20 Days in Mariupol
A gripping, evidence-based documentary on the Mariupol siege, blending brutal war footage with objective analysis, with a focus primarily on the Ukrainian side.
Review – Living the Asian Century
This memoir traces Mahbubani’s rise from poverty to diplomatic success in meritocratic Singapore but lacks deep political analysis and engagement with opposing views.
Review – Cold Case Hammarskjöld
The film raises vital questions over the death of former UN Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskjöld, blending bold claims with speculation, urging a deeper investigation.
Review – Reconstructing the Responsibility to Protect
Butler argues that while R2P has its shortcomings, the doctrine has not failed, however questions about the practical pathways for its revival in global politics remain.
Review – Baltimore
Baltimore highlights the contrast between the personal and political during the Irish conflict, but opportunities to understand the roots of radicalisation are limited.
Review – The Problem of Twelve
A credible narrative of the concentration of 12 financial players supported by anecdotal evidence, which would benefit from more attention to the underlying hypothesis.
Review – Navigating Uncertainty
Joseph Liow details the global power dynamics shaping Southeast Asia, but adopts an oversimplified framework to analyse the impact of the US-China conflict on the region.