International News, Analyses & Opinions
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.
Masculine culture, feminine nature: the retreat from masculinity through ecofeminist philosophy
Opinion piece by Taleen El Gharib, Featured Writer
In order to understand the damage inflicted by capitalism, one must analyze patriarchy through an ecofeminist lens. The capitalist system views nature as a commodity and an object, something that holds a monetary value or benefit, and since the patriarchy is an extension of capitalism, it has confined women to the role of being a source of production, just like the environment. The belief that man is part of culture and woman is part of nature has tied men to superiority and also contributed to the global ecological destruction.
Macron’s Political Tool; The Hijab -New laws against the Hijab with a hope for a re-election
Opinion Analysis by Tala Karkanawi, Contributor
With the re-election circulating soon in 2022, France is going through a tremendous social and civil unrest amongst its population, with an increase in discrimination, racism, and Islamophobia. President Macron and Marine Le Pen are seeing eye to eye in this situation with a race towards the presidential seat, turning this race into a war against the Muslim minority in France.
The State V. Derek Chauvin: A trial with historic significance for Black America
Opinion Analysis by Albert Geokgeuzian, Staff Writer and Tala Karkanawi, Contributor
Nearly 11 months ago, George Floyd became a household name. Derek Chauvin placed his knee on George's neck for 8 minutes and 26 seconds, all caught on camera. On March 29th, the trial started with a huge security net surrounding the courthouse to ensure the trial goes as smoothly as possible. This trial will not only impact Derek Chauvin but it also has massive implications on the US, including in the political debate about police reform in the United States. The President is watching, and so is the world.
Palestine Elections in Light of the Normalization Deals: What is the Palestinian Authority up to?
Opinion policy analysis by Sasha Matar contributor
“Palestine is full of capable young leaders who can replace the bunch of corrupt rulers”, argues a 32 years old Palestinian activists who has been deprived from exercising his democratic right to vote since the last elections held in 2007. Who is Hamas and who is Fatah, what happened in 2007 between those rivals and will the 2021 elections happen? and what are the challenges?
Not All Roads Lead to Moscow: Prime Minister Pashinyan’s Mistakes Might Doom his Political Future
Opinion policy analysis by Johnny Achkar, Contributor
In the midst of a worsening standoff with the country's military leadership, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan continues to fight for his political survival. Since Armenia's humiliating defeat in the Karabakh war last year, Pashinyan has been in a precarious position.
Group Compliance and Conformity - The Terrorist Recruitment Process
Opinion Analysis by Tala Otaibi, Contributor
Why is it relatively quite so easy to bring in people to operate within hostile terrorist organizations given their frightening and inhumane nature? Terrorism is one of the most frightening phenomena to exist in our modern world today. With globalization at a constant rise and the world growing more interconnected, terrorism has grown with it as a result. It has become much easier to cross borders and instill fear in people all over the globe. Even more so, it has become much easier to recruit people from all over the globe, too. To try to answer this question, this article tackles the recruitment process through a social psychological analysis.
Reviled, Lambasted & Occupied by Militias - The Plight of Iraqi State Security Institutions in the Post 2003 Order
Analysis by Reem El Dana, Staff Writer
The appearance of ISIL is a reaction to oppression in the post 2003 order in Iraq. Could the corruption and divisive sectarianism by the GoI have led to the rise of ISIS? Yes, and by all means yes. Yet, one lauded Iraqi security organization makes an exception: The Counter Terrorism Service.
NFT: cyberproperty or digital wild wild west? - The tokenized future of digital art
Opinion Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer and Georges Haydar, Staff Writer
NFT art is a form of digital art that can be purchased using a cryptocurrency called Ethereum. Once you purchase that piece of digital art, it becomes yours. It is unique. Replicating it by, for instance, taking a screenshot or downloading the image online would be akin to buying a replica of the Mona Lisa, it’s nowhere near the real thing. But is it worth $ 70 million?
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.
The Veneer of Democracy - The Alarming Decline in Global Democratic Values
Opinion Analysis by Johnny Achkar, Contributor
International standards and practices based on the notion of democracy have been waning. Despite the steady rise of democracy after the end of the Cold War, we have seen dramatic reversals in the last ten years with respect to democratic ideals around the world. This issue, if left unresolved, threatens to alter the very fabric of our modern international system.
An investment guide for young professionals - Who wants to be a millionaire?
Opinion piece by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer
Do you want to be a millionaire? I really hope you said yes because if you didn’t then you either already are one and have nothing to learn from the likes of me, or you’re not interested in becoming one in which case it’s a lost cause persuading you that you could be make a fortune for less than a couple cups of coffee every day.
Japan’s “Rocky” State: two powerful earthquakes rock Japan in the span of a month
Opinion News Analysis by Maria Wehbe, Staff Writer
On March 11th, 2011, the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan’s history took place: an 8.9 magnitude earthquake that would forever leave its’ footprint on the Japanese citizens. Also, not long ago, Japan was struck by another powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake, on February 13th, 2021. Most recently, another 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Japan on March 20th, 2021. One should not overlook the gravity of this situation, as this country had to undergo two powerful earthquakes in the span of a month or so, not even four months into 2021.
The Climate Crisis Under the Microscope - Part One:The Role of Fast Fashion
Analysis by Roa Daher, Staff Writer
The fast fashion industry encompasses many different moving parts that are hard to isolate and identify, which makes it difficult to assess how the fast fashion industry remains profitable and the environmental cost at which it does so. Fashion remains a significant part of everybody’s daily life, but there is a lack of awareness about how it is harming the environment.
Troubled Waters between Beijing and Washington - The Suez Blunder, a Humorous Moment in an otherwise Tense Cold War Environment
Analysis by Johnny Achkar, Contributor
Ships so broad that they get trapped in the Canal characterize the word "chokepoint," but other waterways will play a much more critical role as the Sino-American competition intensifies. Important shipping routes such as the South China Sea and Strait of Malacca are of inestimable importance to these great superpowers.
A new economic model that doesn’t end in « -ism »
Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer
It all begins with Homer’s favorite food, doughnuts. Doughnuts are delicious, let’s be honest. They’re fluffy, glazed with your favorite goodies from sprinkles to plain sugar and are convenient to carry around thanks to their distinctive divot. But what if I told you that Homer Simpson’s go-to snack could actually teach us about economics?
Italy and Lebanon continued: decentralisation as a governing principle
Analysis by Francesco Pitzalis, Staff Writer
Italy and Lebanon have hitherto called upon “technocratic” governments to solve their respective crises. These governments incur several hidden risks as the politicians at fault are not removed from the political gene pool. Likewise, the systems facilitating the decline are not modified. The goal, therefore, should be systematic change rather than technocratic. To follow up on the recent series, let us consider decentralisation in Italy and Lebanon as a governing principle.
Italy and Lebanon: Intertwined histories, Tumultuous Presents, Uncertain Futures - Part 3
Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer
Whilst today, the youth only make up about 18% of our population, they are 100% of our future. We have compiled the touching testimonials of the Lebanese and Italian youth and asked them two simple questions: Where do you think your country is headed? Where would you like to see it headed? Lebanon and Italy now face a critical moment in the evolution of their nations. Whilst Lebanon struggles to reassert itself as a sovereign state, Italy faces the economic and social consequences that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.
France’s Intervention in the Sahel Region: Another Perpetual War?
Opinion Policy Analysis by Johnny Achkar, Contributor
In reaction to the rise of supposed militant groups in the Sahel, governments have mobilized more than 20,000 foreign and local forces, including 5,100 French soldiers, 13,000 UN peacekeepers, and about 5,000 G5 Sahel troops, an initiative of France, including Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. Yet terrorist groups have become more powerful.
The GameStop Short Squeeze - Explained
Opinion Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer
The only way you didn’t hear about this happening is if you live under a rock. In late January 2021, the world witnessed a short squeeze on GameStop stock. Now that their stock price skyrocketed as a consequence of what we call a short squeeze, GameStop is back on the map and while a lot of people participated in making the squeeze possible, very few individuals understood what was going on.