Blog
Can we trust anything we see online?
March 9, 2026 By Loek Quirijn Rikhof
Everyone knows not to trust what they read on the internet. Reality, however, is different. One famous statistic, of course, is that 54 per cent of Americans today get their news from social media. Even established news sources often use online information, such as posts from X, as a source, albeit anecdotal. However, are we
Read MoreWhy We Romanticise Being Busy
March 2, 2026 By Charlotte d’Harambure
We romanticise being busy because it has quietly become our most convenient religion. It promises salvation, demands sacrifice, and comes with a ready-made halo you can wear to meetings. Busy is no longer just a state; it is a story we tell about our importance, our virtue, and our fear of falling behind. Once upon
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I can’t believe you asked me a political questi...
February 23, 2026 By Tishya Tiwary
Palestine – a litmus test for progressives As the 2026 Berlin film festival wraps up with its final viewings on 22nd Feb, the media buzz around the political stance- or rather the lack of it- of its attendees, as well as jury and organisers, has become the forefront story. A festival that has never shied
Read MoreX platform’s calamitous effect on political man...
February 16, 2026 By İdil Erkan
Our social media unconsciously and literally “feeds us” daily. The media sometimes shares the same role as actual food, feeling like a crucial factor in our lives to survive the day, because otherwise, we feel considerably isolated from the rest of the world. As an IR student, I can definitely relate to that situation because
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Our generation: the weak generation?
February 9, 2026 By Sam Tengbergen
Kings day is coming, but it wasn’t always the holiday we know it as. Could it be the opportunity for younger people to make a statement? In less than three months, on the 27th of April, the Netherlands will colour orange again on Kingsday as it marks King Willem Alexander’s birthday. While most people seem
Read MoreThe importance of food in diplomacy
February 2, 2026 By Line Bodil Bijleveld
People often share meals together, with their family, with their friends or with their coworkers. It can be a home-cooked meal, going out for dinner with your friends, for work, a date or simply sharing your sandwich on a bench in the park. At home it is convenient to eat together, because multiple people can
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From brave heroes to the real implications of w...
January 26, 2026 By Ilse Westeneng
What we can learn from Francisco Goya’s revolutionary approach to painting war scenes To see the paintings mentioned in the following article, follow these links: Fear sparks on the faces of the people standing in front of the executors. The enormous light box on the ground enlights the victims and draws our attention to their
Read MoreBad Bunny, the new Taylor Swift of Latin America?
January 19, 2026 By Annika Koch
The music scene has long been dominated by one name: Taylor Swift. Swift has captured the hearts of many with her heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies. Without a doubt, everyone interested in pop music is familiar with at least one of her songs. In 2024, she made history by winning a Grammy Award for Album
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Ban social media for adults instead
January 12, 2026 By Loek Quirijn Rikhof
Last month, a landmark law took effect in Australia: a social media ban for all children under the age of sixteen. The government’s argument is clear: social media is deemed addictive to children and detrimental to their mental health, and thus, they would be better off without it. The project is closely watched all over
Read MoreInformation Wars and the Erosion of Truth Diplo...
January 5, 2026 By Charlotte d’Harambure
The Quiet War for Credibility In international affairs, wars are no longer confined to territories or weapons. They begin with narratives, often before the first political move is made. The 21st century has seen the rise of information warfare: the strategic use of data, media, and digital manipulation to influence perception and weaken trust. Today,
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