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Jennifer Mathers

Reader in International Politics, Aberystwyth University

I have a background in the study of Russian politics, history and security (MPhil in Slavonic and East European Studies from Oxford) as well as an undergraduate degree (BA Mount Holyoke College, US) and PhD (DPhil Oxford) in International Relations. In addition to my expertise in Russia and the former USSR, I also research and teach in the area of women/gender and conflict.

Thirty years ago Ukraine got rid of its nuclear arsenal – now the people regret that decision

Mar 18, 2025 15:13 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Around 73% of Ukrainians now want their country to restore its nuclear weapons, according to a recent opinion poll. A majority of Ukrainians (58%) were in favour of Ukraine owning nuclear weapons, even if this meant losing...

Global Geopolitics Series

Ukraine war: religious leaders are playing an important (and unusual) role

Jul 29, 2024 11:58 am UTC| Insights & Views

The Russian Orthodox Church has approved a statement describing Russias special military operation as a holy war, arguing that all of Ukraine should be Russias exclusive zone of influence. Said Ismagilov, one of Ukraines...

Global Geopolitics Series

Ukraine war: Putin is using Russian children to promote his version of history on Victory Day

May 09, 2024 07:12 am UTC| Insights & Views

On May 9, Russia celebrates Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Unions victory over Nazi Germany in 1945. Few people who watch international news coverage of Victory Day parades and events realise that Russias...

Ukraine war: Belarus is not yet committed to a closer military partnership with Russia – here's why

Oct 21, 2022 06:21 am UTC| Politics

Belarus could be edging closer towards more active participation in Russias war in Ukraine. Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko recently announced that troops from Belarus and Russia would form a new joint...

Vladimir Putin has grown into a Russian hero – so where does he go from here?

Jan 23, 2020 10:57 am UTC| Insights & Views

Vladimir Putin has proposed a number of changes to Russias constitution that would pave the way for him to retain his grip on political power even after he is due to step down as president in 2024. These amendments would...

Women candidates break records in the 2018 US mid-term elections

Nov 08, 2018 16:49 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

The 2018 mid-terms broke the records on female candidates in US elections. More than 20 women were on the Senate ballot, while more than ten times that number stood for the House of Representatives. If we also consider...

Global Geopolitics Series

How the mothers of dead soldiers may be what reins in Vladimir Putin's ambitions

Jan 22, 2018 13:41 pm UTC| Insights & Views

Vladimir Putin seeks to present an image of Russia as a country that is strong, decisive, and able to reshape the world to its own ends. One of Moscows favourite tactics is to use military intervention even while Russian...

Economy

UK Pledges £275M to Boost Skilled Workforce and Cut Reliance on Foreign Labor

The UK government has announced a 275 million ($371 million) investment to strengthen its skilled workforce, targeting critical industries like engineering and defense. Prime Minister Keir Starmer revealed the funding on...

U.S. Strikes on Iran Fuel Market Jitters, Oil Prices Expected to Spike

Global markets are bracing for volatility after the U.S. launched airstrikes on Irans nuclear facilities, a move President Donald Trump called a spectacular military success. Investors expect a sharp rise in oil prices and...

UK Unveils £10 Billion Industrial Strategy to Boost Jobs and Innovation

The UK government is set to unveil a 10-year industrial strategy aimed at boosting economic growth, job creation, and investment across high-growth sectors. Part of Prime Minister Keir Starmers Plan for Change, the...

Middle East Conflict Spurs Oil Surge and Market Uncertainty as U.S. Weighs Involvement

As tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, investors are bracing for potential U.S. military involvement and its economic ripple effects. Markets are watching closely as the Trump administration considers joining...

Russian Stocks Flat as MOEX Index Stalls, Commodities Mixed

Russian equities closed flat on Saturday, with the MOEX Russia Index posting no change at 0.00%. Market activity remained muted, with top-traded stocks like AFK Sistema PJSC (MCX:AFKS), Aeroflot PJSC (MCX:AFLT), and...

Politics

Trump’s Iran Strike Sparks Global Tensions, Risks Wider Conflict

In a stunning reversal of his long-held stance against foreign wars, U.S. President Donald Trump authorized direct strikes on Irans nuclear sites, joining Israel in escalating the Middle East conflict. The attack,...

Iran Warns of "Everlasting Consequences" After U.S. Strikes Nuclear Sites

Iran has issued a sharp warning following U.S. airstrikes on three of its nuclear facilities, declaring the attacks will bring everlasting consequences. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who also leads the countrys...

Middle East Airspace Avoided After U.S. Strikes on Iran, Airlines Reroute Flights

Airlines are continuing to reroute flights to avoid key parts of the Middle East after the U.S. carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. According to FlightRadar24, commercial air traffic is steering clear of...

U.S. Lawmakers React Sharply to Trump’s Iran Airstrikes

U.S. lawmakers issued swift and polarized reactions to President Donald Trumps decision to bomb Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday, sparking debate over legality, foreign policy, and the risk of broader conflict....

B-2 Stealth Bombers Lead Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites

The U.S. Air Forces B-2 Spirit stealth bombers spearheaded a high-impact mission on Saturday, striking three of Irans key nuclear sites. President Donald Trump confirmed the very successful attack, announcing that the...

Science

SpaceX Starship Explodes in Texas During Test, Citing Nitrogen Tank Failure

SpaceXs Starship spacecraft exploded in a dramatic fireball during a late-night test at the companys Starbase facility in Brownsville, Texas, on June 18, 2025. The 400-foot Mars-bound rocket, a key part of Elon Musks...

NASA Astronauts Wilmore and Williams Recover After Boeing Starliner Delay

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are steadily recovering after spending nine unexpected months aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to issues with Boeings Starliner capsule. Initially intended...

SpaceX Starship Test Flight Reaches New Heights but Ends in Setback

SpaceXs massive Starship rocket, central to Elon Musks vision for interplanetary travel, launched its ninth uncrewed test flight from Starbase, Texas, on May 27, 2025. The two-stage vehiclecomprising the upper-stage...

Trump’s nomination for NASA leader boasts business and commercial spaceflight experience during a period of uncertainty for the agency

Jared Isaacman, billionaire, CEO and nominee to become the next NASA administrator, faced questions on April 9, 2025, from members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during his confirmation...

Lab-grown meat: you may find it icky, but it could drive forward medical research

Lab-grown meat causes heated debates. Proponents see benefits for the climate and animal welfare. Opponents worry about a Frankenstein food they regard as risky and unnatural. Whatever your opinion, the technology...

Technology

Meta and Oakley Launch AI Smart Glasses with Meta AI and Camera Features

Meta has expanded its wearable tech portfolio by partnering with Oakley to release AI-powered smart glasses, following the strong market response to its Ray-Ban Meta line. The collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, parent...

US Considers Revoking Chipmaker Authorizations in China Amid Trade Tensions

The U.S. Department of Commerce is reportedly weighing the revocation of special authorizations granted to global chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC, potentially limiting their access to American chipmaking equipment...

Apple Reportedly Eyes AI Startup Perplexity Amid Rising Search Tech Competition

Apple is reportedly exploring a potential acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Perplexity, according to Bloomberg News. The internal discussions, which involve Apples MA chief Adrian Perica, services head Eddy...

Meta and Oakley Unveil AI Smart Glasses for Athletes and Adventurers

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) has partnered with Oakley to launch the Oakley Meta HSTN, a high-performance AI smart eyewear product blending advanced technology with athletic design. Targeting athletes and active...

BBC Considers Legal Action Against AI Firm Perplexity Over Content Use

The BBC is reportedly preparing legal action against AI search engine Perplexity for allegedly using its content without permission to train artificial intelligence models. According to the Financial Times, the UK public...