To be or not to be European alone — The Gordian Magazine

Wed 07 Feb 2024
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Letter from the Editors

Welcome to the February issue of The Gordian Magazine. In this edition, we venture into the depths of a question that has, for centuries, puzzled and provoked: “To be or not to be European alone”. As we stand at the crossroads of history, the fabric of our collective identity is being stretched and tested by the forces of nationalism and globalisation, each tugging in its direction.

We hope you enjoy these stories and the many more in the following pages.

‘No place for the politicisation of aid’: Why the West’s UNRWA fund cuts are nakedly political

By Ariana Yekrangi

On 27 January, the US, alongside key Western allies, halted funding to the UN Palestinian refugee agency following Israel's allegations linking UNRWA employees to a Hamas attack. Photo: US Embassy Tel Aviv © CC BY 2.0 DEED. Graphic: Ariana Yekrangi — On 27 January, the US, alongside key Western allies, halted funding to the UN Palestinian refugee agency following Israel’s allegations linking UNRWA employees to a Hamas attack. Photo: US Embassy Tel Aviv © CC BY 2.0 DEED. Graphic: Ariana Yekrangi

While accountability for wrongdoing of UNRWA is necessary, collective punishment that exacerbates the suffering of the vulnerable is neither just nor effective.

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To be or not to be European alone: Horizons of EU expansion

By Adrian Liberto

pixelated art of earth with stars over countries. — Composite: Ariana Yekrangi

Can the EU redefine what it means to be European in a globally connected world?

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Is UK’s North Sea Drilling Plan a Sustainable Solution? An Impact Assessment Report

By Amy Church and Partho Pratim Chatterjee

The report reveals minimal impact on immediate energy security, economic risks of short-term fossil fuel reliance, potential environmental damage and a strong public and global shift towards sustainable energy solutions. Photo: Ariana Yekrangi — Photo: Ariana Yekrangi

The UK’s North Sea oil strategy grapples with immediate energy benefits versus long-term environmental and economic costs, amid energy security and climate concerns.

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Revitalising Global Engagement: The Case for a United Nations Peace Corps

By Omar Alansari-Kreger

UNAMID peacekeepers prepare for night patrol exercise. Photo: Stuart Price/ UN Photo/ Flickr © CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED

A UN Peace Corps can transform global indifference into active engagement, leveraging the American Peace Corps model to foster international cooperation and make a tangible impact in the global South.

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Wealth at Whistle’s Blow: The Importance of Financial Planning for Athletes

By Alexander Stoney

Alex Rodriguez batting ball and money falling out of the sky — Athletes often land big contracts, yet suddenly becoming millionaires has its downsides. Handling the responsibilities of such wealth is a challenge for many young athletes. Photo: Rodriguez by Keith Allison/Flickr. Composite: Ariana Yekrangi

With ink drying on contracts worth millions, young athletes step into a world of wealth and responsibility. How do they handle this sudden fortune, and what impact does it have on their futures?

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Julia Hartley-Brewer’s racism is a common reality for brown man – I know, having experienced it firsthand

By Ariana Yekrangi

Julia Hartley-Brewer's behaviour during the interview, which was unprofessional and not befitting a journalist, has led to calls for her dismissal. The incident, perceived as a display of racism and sexism, was broadcast live on TV. Photo: TalkTV/YouTube — Julia Hartley-Brewer’s behaviour during the interview, which was unprofessional and not befitting a journalist, has led to calls for her dismissal. The incident, perceived as a display of racism and sexism, was broadcast live on TV. Photo: TalkTV/YouTube

Julia Hartley-Brewer’s sexist and racist remarks to her guest, Mustafa Barghouti, reflect a troubling norm in many workplaces.

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Frail and Ambiguous Words: How Diplomacy Hinders Peace in Gaza

By Ariana Yekrangi

The UNSC after a vote in 2016. Photo: Rick Bajornas © UN Photo/Fllickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED

In the UN’s high-stakes negotiations, a pivotal linguistic duel over ‘cessation’ versus ‘suspension’ casts Gaza’s fate into uncertainty.

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How Michelangelo’s “Fruit Basket” captures the fleeting essence of life

By Carla Pietrobattista

Caravaggio's 'Fruit Basket' (c. 1599) - an oil painting on canvas, 46 cm by 64.5 cm, displayed at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. Known for its vivid detail, it showcases fruit and leaves in a basket, pioneering the still life genre. — Caravaggio’s ‘Fruit Basket’ (c. 1599) – an oil painting on canvas, 46 cm by 64.5 cm, displayed at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. Known for its vivid detail, it showcases fruit and leaves in a basket, pioneering the still life genre.

In Caravaggio’s ‘Fruit Basket’, a mere wicker basket and its contents emerge as a profound meditation on life, light and the passage of time, showcasing the artist’s early genius.

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Thank you for reading this issue. See you soon!