International News, Analyses & Opinions
Deadly tornado takes the Czech Republic by storm - A rare occurrence with detrimental consequences
News analysis by Maria Wehbe, Featured Writer
On Thursday, June 24th, 2021, a rare and deadly tornado took the Czech Republic by storm, killing at least 6 people, leaving more than 150 others injured, sweeping through many villages and completely destroying them. Winds of at least 219 km/h, which is equivalent to 136 mph, were recorded and this tornado is said to be the strongest to strike Central Europe in Modern History. “The church is without the tower, the elementary school has no roof and insulation any more, only walls remained from what were houses”, said Prime Minister Andrej Babis. Until now, it is uncertain whether it was a single twister or several independent ones; regardless, some of the damage done is beyond repair.
Putin’s Gambit - How Lukashenko’s madness strengthened Russia’s grip on Eastern Europe
Opinion Analysis by Joelle El Sheikh, Featured Writer and Francesco Pitzalis, Contributor
On the 23rd of May, The President of Belarus, Aleksander Lukashenko, hijacked a Ryanair Plane in order to abduct dissident Belarusian journalist, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend, Sofia Sapega. Dubbed “Europe’s last dictator”, Lukashenko’s airborne antics are the embodiment of his obsession with maintaining power. The hijacking also consolidated Lukashenko’s alliance with Vladimir Putin. With European sanctions thus far failing to obstruct the Putin-Lukashenko alliance, we analyze what it might take to stop further Russian expansion into Eastern Europe.