SAS Forum’s Freedom of Speech and Media Regulation: Through the Lens of International Affairs Society’s Gazette 
Jackpot: The Capitalist World and Casual Gambling 
SAS Forum’s Freedom of Speech and Media Regulation: Through the Lens of International Affairs Society’s Gazette
Defining Free Speech Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, but its extent is
Jackpot: The Capitalist World and Casual Gambling
Gambling isn’t just about casinos or lottery tickets anymore — it’s embedded in our everyday lives through seemingly innocent trends like blind boxes, trading card games, and loot boxes. Capitalising on the human attraction to luck, corporations come up with forms of casual gambling from collectible trading card games like Magic: The Gathering in the 90s to the current global phenomenon of Popmarts, appealing to kids and cultivating the habit of gambling from a young age. While most of this is harmless fun, it could lead to a gambling addiction if it goes unchecked. It is important for us to recognize this growing normalization of gambling and address the societal issue of problem gambling.
Gaza and the Future of Global Accountability
In the months following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, the scale of Israel’s retaliation has
WEEKLY RECAP: 10 FEB TO 16 FEB
El Salvador made huge strides on Thursday towards a fairer democratic process amidst grave allegations of Bukele potentially running a dictatorship and centralizing power (Feb 13). World number one Jannik Sinner has been banned from tennis for three months after reaching a settlement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) following two positive drug tests in 2024. In a statement on Saturday (Feb 15).Iran has accused Israel of disrupting flights from Tehran to Beirut after an Iranian plane was denied permission to land in Lebanon’s capital. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Friday (Feb 14). Iran has accused Israel of disrupting flights from Tehran to Beirut after an Iranian plane was denied permission to land in Lebanon’s capital. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Friday (Feb 14).
Weekly Recap: 3 Feb to 9 Feb
A judge temporarily blocked President Trump from placing 2,200 USAID employees on paid leave on Friday (Feb 7). The bloodiest shooting in Sweden occurred at an adult education institution, where eleven people were killed, including the gunman himself (Feb 4). Indian security forces killed at least 31 suspected Maoist rebels in Chhattisgarh’s forests in the year’s biggest encounter on Sunday (Feb 11).
Weekly Recap: Jan 27 to Feb 02
Sixty-seven people were killed when American Eagle Flight 5342 collided mid-air with a U.S. Army helicopter on Thursday (Jan 30). The man who sparked nationwide protests in Sweden over his burning of the Quran was assassinated on Wednesday (Jan 29). US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance programmes, resulting in cuts to services for refugees from war-ravaged Myanmar on Thursday (Jan 30).
AI and Elections: The Double-Edged Sword of Democracy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has dual functions in the elections, it increases voter engagement and at the same time can lead to the spread of misinformation and cyber vulnerabilities. This technology can generate deepfakes and robocalls, that manipulate electoral narratives and incidents have occurred in multiple countries including those in the U.S, Slovakia, India, etc. Despite this AI has also managed to improve political interaction as seen in Pakistan and Belarus where opposition figures could connect better with voters. Experts stress on the significance of creating regulations that balances the freedom of speech and the prohibitions of the harmful practices of AI. Tech companies are urged to self-regulate whereas digital literacy initiatives may provide the voters with the ability to identify a reliable source. The changing relations between technology and politics demand proactive policymaking to protect the democratic processes and to embody the responsible use of AI in the forthcoming elections.
Weekly Recap: Jan 20 to Jan 26
Trump issued an executive order, attempting to end birthright citizenship guaranteed to people born in the United States as part of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution last Monday (Jan 20). Ukraine launched one of its largest drone operations targeting Russian infrastructure, with a wave of at least 121 drones hitting multiple regions, including an oil refinery in Ryazan on Saturday (Jan 25). Syrians returning to their homes in Idlib face the deadly threat of landmines on Friday (Jan 24).
Untangling the Web: The Intricate Geopolitics of Sudan’s Civil War
Since its beginning on April 15, 2023, the Sudan Civil War has impacted 13 of the country’s 18 states, resulting in one of the worst humanitarian crises. It is the largest displacement crisis, with over 8 million internally displaced and 3 million fleeing the country. Sudanese citizens have to suffer under the attacks from the warring parties, SAF and RSF as well as deal with famine, malaria and sexual violence. The war was borne out of a power struggle between the SAF and RSF, both fighting for legitimacy and territory. Both parties are also assisted by foreign players who have a vested interest in maintaining their influence.
Prominently, UAE has been spotted as very heavily involved, having had close relations with RSF commander Hemediti and arming the RSF illegally. The other foreign countries involved are Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt and Libya. These countries have been excaberating the conflict for their own gain just like UAE.
International institutions have been discussing this conflict at length, there have been various reports documenting the deteriorating conditions and they are aware of the countries involved in helping RSF and SAF. However, there has not been a strong co-ordinated response towards this war and to these particular countries, and the Sudanese have to bear the brunt of this, with no end in sight.
Gisèle Pelicot: Person of the Year
72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot’s trial marks the biggest rape trial in French history. She boldly refused anonymity and instead, used her trial as an opportunity to battle against rape culture and victim-shaming in society. Ms Pelicot endured a four month trial in a court room with the dozens of men who raped her without consent – one of them being her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot. “I wanted all of society to be a witness” said Ms Pelicot, who asserts that the shame of assaulting someone lies only with the perpetrator, not the victim.
