WorldWatch with Benjamin Salvatore: Where history meets today's world 🌍

  "We should help reform global governance to make it more just and equitable, and bring to the world more certainty, stability and positive energy". — Xi Jinping, BRICS Summit 2023 The rise of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) represents a profound shift in the dynamics of global governance, moving away from a world order dominated by Western institutions to a more multipolar world system. BRICS acts as a platform for emerging economies to voice their concerns and challenge the existing global governance structure, particularly the dominance of the US dollar in the international financial system. THE WARSAW PACT’S LEGACY  In the wake of World War II, the world sharply became divided into two — the capitalist West led by the USA and the communist bloc led by the Soviet Union. As NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) gained strength in the West, the East responded with the formation of the Warsaw Pact in 1955. It was a military alliance created as a cou...

  "Korean folklore is not merely a collection of old tales — it is the echo of a people's soul, preserved through centuries of resilience, imagination, and identity." — Choe Yong-ha   So, Korean folklore is full of cool, mysterious creatures that have been around forever. Two that really stand out for me are the Gumiho, that’s the nine-tailed fox and the Korean version of the Grim Reaper. Both are kinda spooky but super interesting because they deal with death, transformation, and this blurry line between humans and something else. What’s up with the Gumiho? The Gumiho is basically a fox spirit that’s lived for like a thousand years and grew nine tails. But it’s not just some cute animal — it can turn into a woman who tries to trick or seduce people. Some stories say it eats human hearts or livers to become fully human. Creepy, right? But not all tales paint the Gumiho as evil, some show it just wanting to be normal and live like a human without all the drama.  And the Gr...

"Justice is the constant and perpetual will to allot to every man his due" — Ulpian (Roman Jurist)   Lady Justice, also known as Justitia, is an allegorical figure representing the moral force in judicial systems. Although she started out as just a symbol, she has become the embodiment of law and order. She is a constant global symbol of fairness, truth, and authority in legal systems worldwide. ORIGINS Lady Justice originates from the personification of justice in ancient Roman art, known as Justitia or Iustitia, who is the equivalent of the Greek goddess Themis. Justitia was introduced by Emperor Augustus, and a temple was established for her by Emperor Tiberius. Justice was one of the virtues of Augustus, and subsequently, Justitia became a symbol for the virtue of justice that every Roman emperor wished to associate with his reign. And as the Roman Empire expanded, so the symbol too spread across several continents. It is no secret of the influence Roman laws have on pres...

 Two Systems, One World: Understanding the Legal Tug of war between Nations and the Globe.  "The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge Freedom" — John Locke   Domestic law and International law are distinct legal systems with different scopes and subjects. Domestic law governs within the boundaries of a single state, applying to individuals, organizations, and entities within that state’s jurisdiction. International law, on the other hand, regulates the conduct of states and other international actors, focusing on relations between nations and international organizations. SCOPE: Domestic Law, sometimes called national law, refers to the legal frameworks and regulations that are enacted and enforced within a specific country. It governs the conduct of individuals, organizations, and government entities in their interactions with each other. Understanding domestic law is crucial in the context of how international agreements, like treaties, a...

The Crown and the Girl: Elizabeth first steps as Queen "From this moment, Elizabeth knew she was no longer a young lady. The weight of carrying the English Crown to the modern age, truly and firmly rested on her head". It was February 6, 1952. Elizabeth was in the Kenyan highlands on a royal tour, filling in for her ailing father, King George VI. There, she received the solemn news: her father had passed away in his sleep, and at just 25 years of age, she had become Queen Elizabeth II. In a single moment, her life transformed. No longer a daughter, no longer just a wife, no longer simply a young royal — she was now the living symbol of a nation. The image of Elizabeth’s sudden ascension captured more than just a change in ruler; it marked the beginning of a new era. Britain was in flux — reeling from the aftermath of World War II, coping with the steady unraveling of its global empire, and facing a rapidly changing world order. For many, the monarchy seemed like a relic. Bu...