The world is watching in horror the events following the October 7th massacre by Hamas, and the beginning of a new chapter of the Israeli-Palestine carnage, where there are normally no real winners, and the parties are both stuck on a sub-optimal stalemate, where Palestinian civilians increased the lines of the sadly labeled, collateral casualties, … Continue reading Unraveling the Israel-Palestine Conflict: The Unintended Consequences of Nationalism-Isolationism as Explored by UN General Secretary Guterres
Crisis Unveiled: Gaza’s Descent into Chaos
Escalation and Regional Dynamics The relentless tide of violence in the Israeli-Hamas conflict underscores not just a local crisis but the fragility of the entire Middle East. Rooted in deep-seated historical enmity, the ongoing clashes paint a complex picture of political, social, and religious discord. As diplomatic ties disintegrate, neighboring nations are forced into a … Continue reading Crisis Unveiled: Gaza’s Descent into Chaos
Women’s Rights and the Issue of the Veil in a Global Context
Veiling Laws: In recent years, many European countries have passed laws that ban women’s veiling. In 2021, Switzerland voted in favor of banning face coverings in public, such as the burqas or niqabs worn by some Muslim women (BBC News: Switzerland referendum: Voters support ban on face coverings in public. 03/07/21). More recently, France is to … Continue reading Women’s Rights and the Issue of the Veil in a Global Context
Escalating Tensions in the Middle East: International Demands for Ceasefire, Safe Passage, and Humanitarian Aid Amidst Deepening Crisis
In the heart of the Middle East, where the echoes of conflict have become an all-too-familiar melody, a new crescendo of violence reverberates between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. In the midst of this chaos, the world bears witness to a human tragedy unfolding before its eyes. Urgency permeates the air, demanding immediate … Continue reading Escalating Tensions in the Middle East: International Demands for Ceasefire, Safe Passage, and Humanitarian Aid Amidst Deepening Crisis
The Islamic State Will Never Be Up for Negotiations – and For Good
Terrorists are neither easy nor particularly appealing to talk to. Traditionally, states have been unwilling to send their representatives to communicate with the terrorist groupings out of fear that the very fact of negotiation with the violent anti-government actor, daring to break state’s monopoly on the use of force, might undermine government’s legitimacy in the … Continue reading The Islamic State Will Never Be Up for Negotiations – and For Good
“Peacemaking” Hypocrisy: Human Rights Violations are Turning into a Norm Under the Taliban Regime
Despite their promises, the Taliban have failed to honour their word on a number of commitments. There are still ongoing violations of basic human rights (such as the right of women to study and work, and freedom of the media). The amnesty offered to political opponents turned out to be mere lip service. The situation … Continue reading “Peacemaking” Hypocrisy: Human Rights Violations are Turning into a Norm Under the Taliban Regime
Biden’s Foreign Policy and his Afghanistan Decision
President Biden won the 2020 Presidential elections with a campaign strategy that promised a more compassionate foreign affairs policy. His decision to remove all American troops from Afghanistan’s territory, leaving the country completely vulnerable to Taliban intervention, gave a very different impression. The humanitarian catastrophe currently unfolding in Afghanistan suggest that Biden’s concern was directly … Continue reading Biden’s Foreign Policy and his Afghanistan Decision
Biometrics Beware: an Advancement in Modern Warfare
The world seems to be confronting the same news articles that surfaced around 20 years ago. “USA enters the Middle East” “Is the US military pulling out of the Middle East?” The newsstands, internet, and entire world seemed to become consumed by the political affairs between the US and the Middle East. Today, more than … Continue reading Biometrics Beware: an Advancement in Modern Warfare
The Spread of Atheism and Irreligiosity in the Middle East
The Middle East, in the collective imagination, represents an area of the world characterized by great religious fervor. It does not only govern the individual, but influences every aspect of public life. The Muslim countries of the MENA region are characterized mostly by religiously repressive states and secularly repressive states in comparison to other parts … Continue reading The Spread of Atheism and Irreligiosity in the Middle East
About Water Security and the Construction of the GERD
Water is of critical importance to human survival. However, access to water for various uses can create contention between countries and is a "matter of life and death", especially when such access affects by transboundary factors. A contemporary example is the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a project running since 2011. The GERD is a source of interstate … Continue reading About Water Security and the Construction of the GERD