International News, Analyses & Opinions
A Hunger in Silence: How the Cold War never ended for the people of North Korea
Opinion Policy Analysis by Alissar Azzam, Contributor
The world has long struggled to get the full image of what goes on inside the so-called “hermit kingdom.” In light of a global pandemic, an already struggling economy amidst heavy sanctions, natural disasters and regime paranoia, North Korea finds itself in a dire situation, Biden’s policy is centered on diplomacy, and China is both the disease and the cure.
A Plunge into COVID Hell: The Indian People Discuss the Shattered State of their Nation
Op-Ed by Tala Al Otaibi, Contributor
During the second wave of the virus, the people of India are suffering from an extreme oxygen shortage and a spike in daily cases. As such, the people of India have spoken out to describe the situation from the inside.
The Psychosis of Tucker Carlson - The dissemination of falsehoods in a post-truth conservative media
Analysis by Joelle El Sheikh, Featured Writer and Francesco Pitzalis, Contributor
The rise of Tucker Carlson in the American media has altered the way conservative America approaches the truth. Carlson’s obsession with conspiracy, peddling of misinformation and dangerous white supremacy have been enhanced since the BLM protests and the onset of the pandemic. In recent days, the Tuck’s parallel universe reached its unfortunate zenith when he compared children wearing masks to “child abuse.” With Tucker cementing his position as a leading figure in the conservative right-wing landscape, his future in politics seems an imminent prospect.
Teachers’ Rights in the MENA Region - A long history of protests, violations and harassment
Opinion Policy Analysis by Maria Wehbe, Featured Writer
More than anywhere else, teachers are crucial and essential in the MENA region given the current circumstances: the political turmoil, the economic hardship, the devastating COVID-19 Pandemic, the ongoing wars and conflicts, etc. Students have been through a lot, and the only glimpse of hope they have left is their education: it has somewhat remained untouched, and students rely on their education to overcome all of these difficulties. Without teachers, they wouldn’t be able to do so: they pave the way for their success and achievements. Unfortunately, teachers’ rights in the MENA region are not respected. This problem has been prevailing for quite some time, and teachers no longer want to succumb to this mistreatment and unfairness; protests, violations, harassment – they’ve seen it all.
Shaping a New Job Market in a Post-Pandemic World - A complete shift in the skills needed needed for future jobs
Analysis by Maria Wehbe, Featured Writer and Sarah Helmy, Visiting Contributor
This pandemic has left us confused, lost, and absolutely unsure of what to expect next. Starting with the economic, educational, and public sectors, all of which have been hit by the pandemic, there is one sector that has been especially damaged, and that is the job market. The fact that future expectancies and planning have been made near impossible due to the unpredictable course of the pandemic has engulfed people in a spiral of uncertainty and insecurity about what the future holds. To put it in another way, the reason why joining the labor market in a post-pandemic world is more worrisome than other sectors is because the skills required for these jobs are not ones that we possess nor ones that we are currently acquiring. In fact, it is expected that 85% of jobs that will exist in 2030 do not even exist yet.
A Case of Vaccine Discrimination - The Situation of Refugees and Their Access to the Covid-19 Vaccine
Opinion Policy Analysis by Annabelle Ghanem, Contributor
The Covid-19 pandemic has crippled economies along its prolonged path, leaving 85% of the current world refugee population living in nations now classified as low and middle income countries. This has had tremendous effects on the livelihoods and overall survival of refugees throughout this pandemic, ranging from lack of Covid-19 measures and protocols being put in place within camps, to limited access of medical supplies and personnel, and above all, a drastic decrease to the already low salaries being received by refugees. Unfortunately, these circumstances were not enough to place a certain sense of priority, or even mere consideration, towards the refugee population, with many of the world’s nations failing to include refugees in their countrywide vaccination plans.