Opinion Policy Analysis by Francesco Pitzalis, Staff Writer

Unprecedent numbers of cases, hospital admissions and deaths have exerted enormous pressure on the National Health Service (NHS). The UK must act swiftly and assertively to avert a health crisis. The UK needs another National lockdown now.

Analysis by Roa Daher, Staff Writer

In the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) latest report examining the environmental conditions in Occupied Palestine, the UNEP’s Executive Director Inger Anderson states that to ‘protect people and the environment, it is now critical to put in place sound environmental management practices across the occupied Palestinian territory’. In other words, not only are Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank at risk of being killed or severely injured by israeli soldiers for merely existing, or losing control of their car as seen earlier this year in the murder of Ahmed Erakat, but they are also at risk for long-term potentially fatal health effects caused by the illegal occupation of their land by israelis.

Policy Analysis by Joelle El Sheikh, Staff Writer

2020 has been the year of surprises. From a global pandemic to a crippling economy, nations all around the world struggled to get through what is arguably the most challenging 12 months of the 21st century. Now that they year is coming to an end, it only seems fitting to take out that notebook and write down our 2021 resolutions.

Op-Ed by Tala Karkanawi, Staff Writer

With Brexit coming towards its end, Britain and the European Union have struck hard on definitively reaching trade agreement, settling an extensive dispute that underwent negotiations and stalemate for more than four years.

Analysis by Tala Majzoub, Staff Writer

In a landmark move on October 2nd, 2020, India and South Africa have called for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to suspend intellectual property (IP) rights related to COVID-19 to ensure that not only the wealthiest countries will be able to access and afford the vaccines, medicines, and other new technologies needed to regulate the pandemic, until global herd immunity is reached. Predictably, a small group of members are withholding support that would help build much needed consensus on the proposal. This comes as no surprise, as much of these high-income countries (HICs) have traditionally utilized the IP system to back the interests of their pharmaceutical corporations.

Economic Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer

Here's what happened - In a world with the US at the frontline of trade wars and military intervention, we’ve witnessed a rare act of belligerence against the most unlikely of targets: Switzerland. In December 2020, the United States labeled Switzerland a currency manipulator, the least prestigious title in world trade. The Swiss clapped back and won the fight against the world’s leading military power.

Opinion Analysis by Ismat Annan, Contributor

For millions of families across the world, holidays are a time they get together and celebrate the festive season. With Christmas right around the corner, how will it be with COVID-19 around? Ever since the breakout earlier this year, nothing has been the same. Schools and offices are closed, hospitals are at full capacity, economies are facing recessions, education is online, and the list goes on. But what about the holidays? How are people celebrating this year-round? One thing is for sure, COVID-19 does not spare family gatherings, with social get-togethers becoming a lot riskier than preceding years.

Opinion Analysis by Albert Geokgeuzian, Staff Writer

It was a horrific day for the US, when the World Trade Center fell on top of unknowing civilians, the US changed. After that day, the US moved heaven and earth to find any and all threats to national security; for the first time ever, the US realized that being separated by an ocean wasn’t enough protection anymore.

Op-Ed by Maria Wehbe, Staff Writer

December 18th is Arabic Language Day: a day when we are supposed to commemorate the splendor of this language. Nobody can deny that this language is part of who we are, part of our identity: I, for one, am so proud to say that I can speak such a complex, sophisticated and beautiful language. One must admit that it is very difficult, however, once you understand its value and dig deep into it, there is no going back.

Opinion Analysis by Naif al-Rogi, Staff Writer

It could be quite rightly said that at least a third of Americans, then, live in a wholly different reality, one with its own alternate history. As an Arab on the outside looking in, there is a feeling I must confess of schadenfreude.

Legal Opinion Analysis by Ahmad Khzaie, Contributor and Tala Karkanawi, Staff Writer

On the fourth of June of 2020, both citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Belgium were revealed to the Constitutional Court’s decision authorizing the interdiction of the display of all religious symbols by users of public higher educational institutions, affirming the rooted attachment to the principle of neutrality. The court’s decision has paved the way to plenty of criticism, as its wording and language were too legally vague, as opposed to what one would anticipate from the consultative highest jurisdiction in the land; one would perceive it to provide constitutional interpretations in an equitable, justified manner.

Economic Policy Analysis by Rhea Haddad, Staff Writer

Sealed at a virtual signing ceremony on November 15, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), currently the world’s largest trading bloc, has been underway for eight years. It includes the 10 ASEAN members and 5 of their major trading partners. The economic zone it covers accounts for 30% of the world’s population and GDP. RCEP’s worth is five times that of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), once the biggest South Pacific deal of which the United States backed out under President Donald Trump.

Opinion Analysis by Albert Geokgeuzian, Staff Writer

January 5th is the day that the two Georgia runoff elections will take place. These two senate seats will determine if the Republicans keep the majority in the Senate, or if the Democrats will regain the control they lost in 2015.

Opinion Policy Analysis by Reem El Dana, Staff Writer

Cautious of crossing any red line, a Middle East inferno is unwelcomed by all parties. B-52s, IDF on high alert, and not-so-secret Israeli visits to Saudi are an omen of the highly combustible term until Trump’s presidential tenure is over. Nevertheless, the smallest étincelle of fire will have Washington, Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Tehran and all of its proxies contend with a war in perpetuity.

Opinion Policy Analysis by Farah Termos, Staff Writer

The U.S. 2020 election sparked major controversy, with opposing candidates President Donald Trump, and former Vice President (and now president elect) Joe Biden, competing in one of the most challenging elections the United States has ever witnessed. Large Tech companies, like Twitter and Facebook, were largely responsible for the promotion of each of the candidates’ campaign, and with that great stride comes immediate backlash over Social Media applications and their role in promoting political agenda’s – and apparently upholding an anti-conservative agenda within their platforms.

Opinion Analysis by Roa Daher, Staff Writer

The goal should not be limiting the population, an agenda that has historically proven racist and classist origins. The goal should be creating an egalitarian and inclusive society that is environmentally sustainable and honours the Earth and the resources it gives us. The path to this goal is impeded by ideologies that thrive on ignorance and bigotry, like ecofascism.

Opinion Analysis by Cherly Abou Chabke, Staff Writer and Zeina Dagher, Staff Writer

With the very recent death of US Supreme Court judge and liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg, many American women felt their rights were threatened. On the 27th of October, judge Amy Coney Barrett assumed her office – she’s known for her conservatism in civil rights matters. This felt like a big loss in the women’s rights battle, and many expected the future to be grim when it comes to matters ranging from abortion to equal pay. However, the past 3rd of November may have just brought back a ray of light. In fact, the US Congressional elections were a historical success for women in politics: more women than ever were elected into Congress, and many of them having progressive views. So, exactly how many women are now in Congress? How did they get there? What do they want?

Opinion analysis by Michel Sadek, Staff Writer

Today, with the Unites States knee-deep in an escalating COVID crisis, it is natural that the realm of science has proclaimed its rivalry with Mr. Trump. Spearheaded by Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the scientific community has had a lot to say about Trump’s handling of the pandemic, particularly his spreading of misinformation regarding the virus and misleading of the populace. What is often eclipsed in global media, conversely, is that Dr. Fauci and other proponents of science have also made their fair share of dishonesties and mistakes.

Policy Analysis by Joelle El Sheikh, Staff Writer

The unprecedented spread of Covid-19 has opened many doors for autocrats to tighten their grip on freedom of speech, the right of gathering and protesting, as well as any criticism or dissatisfaction from opposition parties/groups. Extraordinary powers are needed to face extraordinary times, they say. According to the Centre for Civil and Political Rights, around 79 countries have declared a state of emergency to effectively combat the virus-some leaders surrender their power once the emergency comes to an end, others plan to grab on even further.