The Chatham House report warns of an imminent 'fifth mega-shock' to global food systems, driven by the convergence of geopolitical risks—such as disruptions in critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz—and resulting energy and fertilizer shortages. This vulnerability is compounded by structural weaknesses, notably the extreme concentration of staple crop reserves among a few nations, which heightens the risk of cascading inflation and widespread hunger. The analysis argues that historical shocks have failed to prompt deep systemic reforms, leaving global food security fragile and humanitarian aid strained. Policymakers must therefore urgently prioritize building resilience through supply chain diversification, avoiding nationalistic export restrictions, and coordinating international efforts to stabilize commodity markets.
Chatham House fellow gives evidence to UK House of Lords on legality of US actions in Venezuela
English Summary
Professor Marc Weller argues that US actions in Venezuela reflect a widening use-of-force rationale that risks breaching core international law principles. In evidence to the UK House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, he evaluated the US legal justifications, questioned whether Monroe Doctrine-style claims can fit modern legal limits, and traced a broader shift in US legal positioning over the past decade. He warned that proliferating state justifications for force in pursuit of national interests weakens the credibility of the rules-based international order. Strategically, the testimony suggests policymakers should tighten legal scrutiny of intervention claims and strengthen multilateral support for non-use-of-force norms, including partnerships with developing countries defending international law.
中文摘要
Marc Weller教授主張，美國在委內瑞拉的行動反映出武力使用理由的擴張，恐有違反國際法核心原則之虞。在提交給英國上議院國際關係與國防委員會的證詞中，他評估了美方的法律正當化論述，質疑門羅主義式主張是否能符合當代法律限制，並梳理過去十年間美國法律立場更廣泛的轉變。他警告，國家為追求本國利益而不斷提出使用武力的正當化理由，將削弱以規則為基礎之國際秩序的公信力。從戰略層面看，該證詞指出政策制定者應加強對干預主張的法律審查，並強化對不使用武力規範的多邊支持，包括與捍衛國際法的發展中國家建立夥伴關係。
Related Entries
-
1.
-
2.
Global youth activism, driven by widespread calls for change against corruption and inequality, has reached unprecedented levels across multiple continents. A Chatham House survey of over 160 young people confirms that Gen Z remains highly politically engaged and maintains a persistent hope for influencing global policy, despite recognizing significant risks. This sustained political energy indicates that youth demands are now a critical factor in assessing regional stability and governance legitimacy. Policymakers must therefore adapt to incorporate these organized voices into policy dialogue rather than treating them merely as sources of unrest.
-
3.
The analyst views the announced US-Iran deal as a fragile, temporary measure rather than a lasting settlement because it fails to address the core causes of conflict or resolve major outstanding issues like Iran's nuclear program. While reopening the Strait of Hormuz is welcome, true stability requires comprehensive negotiations that move beyond bilateral talks and incorporate regional stakeholders (e.g., China, Arab states). For the deal to endure, diplomatic efforts must adopt a multi-layered approach focused on building confidence among all parties and establishing clear structures for accountability and long-term support.
-
4.
The resurgence of wolves across Europe is a significant ecological success, driven by post-Cold War expansion and robust environmental legislation. However, this biological recovery has become highly politicized, creating deep conflict between conservation goals and rural livelihoods, where farmers feel threatened despite low actual predation rates. The EU's decision to downgrade the wolf’s protected status following political pressure demonstrates that wildlife management is increasingly susceptible to populist narratives and local economic anxieties. Policy must therefore move beyond purely ecological mandates, requiring strategies that integrate socio-economic support for vulnerable farming communities with conservation efforts.
-
5.
The analysis argues that both Iran and Israel operate on a zero-sum logic of regional hegemony, generating systemic instability through asymmetric warfare or unilateral military action. This dynamic threatens the Gulf states, whose core strategy is based on a 'positive-sum' model prioritizing trade, development, and stability. To counter this persistent threat, international partners must fundamentally review their engagement with these powers and assist the GCC in strengthening collective security mechanisms. Crucially, maintaining free navigation through vital waterways like the Strait of Hormuz must become an urgent priority to mitigate economic coercion.