International News, Analyses & Opinions
The Oppression of the Flag - How states use nationalism as a means to control and silence
Opinion analysis by Nour AlMortada, Featured Writer
The concept of nationalism is usually traced back to the French revolution, but the truth is, it was not born then: it had always existed as a means of keeping insurgencies at bay. Think about an American citizen siding with communism during the Cold War. Now, compare that with nationalism in the MENA region. Shedding nationalism is not an abandonment of the state, but rather an abandonment of the illogical ties to a man-made government, which would then allow genuine change, since the state and the land are no longer convoluted. And so, the expectations we have for our systems are no longer obscured by our blind loyalties which manifest in our submission and complacency.
The Dangers of the “Middle East” - How the term “Middle East” contributes to a dangerous mindset
Opinion analysis by Nour AlMortada, Featured Writer
The term “Middle East” itself has no scientific nor intellectual basis: not in history, nor in geography, and certainly not in ethnicity, race, or language. And so, where did it originally stem from? Well, the answer is colonialism. The countries enshrined within the context of this term are some of the richest in the world and their history is proof of this. However, neo-colonialism, which emulates itself through humanitarian interventions or wars of interest, “the war on terror” being a prime example, continues to setback the region. The continuous use of this term contributes to the neo-colonial narrative, leading to issues such as the crumbling of centuries-old civilizations.
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.