[ISAFIS Newsletter #14] The Broken Truce? Trump’s Precarious, Renewed Trade Tension with China

Written by: Jonathan Jordan Staff of Research and Development Trade tensions between the US and China resumed as Trump threatened to deal an additional 100% trade tariff rate and export restrictions of “all critical software” on China. Announced on October 10, the threat was a response to Beijing’s rare-earth mineral Read more…

[ISAFIS Newsletter #13] Reconstructing Pop Culture: How Pop Culture Became a Symbol for Resistance

Written by: Dhiya Farras Suryakusuma Staff of Research and Development For the past few years, there has been this unusual sighting found in protest movements all around the world. Black flags depicting a skull in a straw hat, cloths with different colours, and multicolored light sticks have become the “ornament” Read more…

[ISAFIS Newsletter #12] The Wildest Economic Gamble Unfolds in Argentina’s Shock Therapy

Written by: Natalie Grace Sierra Adi Staff of Research and Development Image 1. Javier Milei delivers his first presidential speech from the steps of Congress.Source:  Luis Robayo/AFP “There is no alternative to shock treatment,” Argentine President Javier Milei declared in his inauguration speech in December 2023, signaling the start of what Read more…

[ISAFIS Newsletter #11] “Aura Farming” Goes Global: Indonesia’s Government Turns Viral Kid Into PR Mascot While Ignoring Real Issues

Written by: Fatimah Azzahra Staff of Research and Development What happens when an 11-year-old dancing on a racing boat becomes more famous than his country’s leaders? This happened to Rayyan Arkan Dikha, also known as “the aura farming boy”, whose effortless moves atop a pacu jalur canoe went viral. Suddenly, Read more…