International News, Analyses & Opinions
The New Art of War: How Soldiers of Fortune are changing the Landscape of Modern Warfare
Opinion Analysis by Johnny Achkar, Featured Writer
Private armies are a multibillion-dollar industry with a worldwide footprint. We do not know how much money is invested in this black market; what we do know is that it is booming. Mercenary violence has increased in Syria, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, and Ukraine in recent years. Many of these for-profit troops outperform local militaries, and others may even compete with the best in the country. Recognizing the value of private armies, an increasing number of countries are sending them to far-flung and unstable areas of the globe. How exactly did the idea of warfare, which had been unchanged for thousands of years, evolve into this modern unconventional mode of warfare?
The Dilemma of Kids on Social Media - What are online platforms, parents and content creators doing about it?
Opinion Analysis by Myriam Akiki, Staff Writer
When news surfaced about Facebook wanting to create a version of Instagram aimed at children under 13, experts were quick to criticize the idea and called for a reconsideration of the project, for all the right reasons. The presence of kids on social media is surely a dilemma that must be dealt with but parties concerned seem to not be doing enough.
The Neopatriarchy in Saudi Arabia - Exploring the Crushing Effects of Patriarchal Oppression on Women
Policy Analysis by Tala Al Otaibi, Contributor
The neopatriarchal nature of the Saudi state, given its various characteristics, has had many implications on the status of women in the Kingdom. As such, its fueled patriarchal ideologies have caused substantive oppression on women and exacerbated the idea that the female gender remains inferior.
Addiction - Why we must change our way of thinking about addiction
Op-Ed by Albert Geokgeuzian, Staff Writer
The story we’ve always been told about addiction and especially hard drugs like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine is that once you get hooked and your brain builds a tolerance for it, it is very difficult to stop without experiencing withdrawal symptoms. What this article will hopefully show you is that the scary story about the effects of hard drugs, and subsequently addiction, isn’t entirely true.
A complicated relationship: Moscow and Berlin’s affair with Nord Stream 2
Opinion Policy Analysis by Johnny Achkar, Featured Writer
The controversial natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 has been delayed for more than a year, and its completion is increasingly in jeopardy after the United States enacted sanctions on the companies involved and threatened further action. For years, the pipeline under the Baltic Sea has been the topic of intense discussion. Additional Russian gas will be able to flow directly to Germany because of the venture.
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.
The Climate Crisis Under the Microscope - Part Three: How the American Obsession with ‘Defense’ and Imperialism is Killing the Planet and More People Than We Know
Opinion Policy Analysis by Roa Daher, Featured Writer
The United States’ position as one of the top polluters of the planet has been well-known for years now, and the widely-expressed dismay at Trump’s decision to leave the Paris Climate Agreement was quickly replaced by jubilation as Biden returned to the Agreement. President Biden even made some bold promises at the recent Earth Day Climate Summit, like a commitment to halving emissions by 2030 (compared to the recorded 2005 levels). While this move was highly applauded as a commitment to reversing climate change, the Biden administration did not mention any plans to reduce the emissions and immense pollution caused by the US military.
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.
Ponzi Schemes Explained - In loving memory of Bernard “Bernie” Madoff
Op-Ed by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer
Bernard Lawrence Madoff was born in 1939 in Queens, New York City, to Sylvia and Ralph Madoff, the children of immigrants from Romania, Austria and Poland. Little did we know, he would become the world’s most hated banker. In a touching tribute to the most hated man on Wall Street, this article delves deeper into the inner workings of Ponzi Schemes and how Madoff was able to get away with his.
For Better Football or Better Income? - The Hows, Whats, and Whys of The European Super League
Opinion Analysis by Annabelle Ghanem, Contributor
On the 18th of April 2021, twelve of the biggest names in European football announced the creation of an entirely new sporting competition, one that would allow 20 European fan favorite teams to compete in a competition like no other, The European Super League. From Real Madrid, to Chelsea, to Juventus, some of the biggest names in European football history have announced their participation in the newly formed league, as founding members of the competition. The news broke the internet as fans were enraged with the idea of a “capitalistic competition”, said to be created as a source of revenue instead of good football. Let’s dive deeper into what the European Super League is, how will it affect the current dynamic of European football competitions, and most importantly, why it is taking place to begin with.
Childhood Malnutrition in the MENA Region - A posing danger to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Analysis by Maria Wehbe, Featured Writer
“If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger.” – Buzz Aldrin. Childhood malnutrition is still a prevailing problem in our world today. In fact, nearly half of the deaths of children under 5 are caused by malnutrition. Childhood malnutrition is a problem worldwide, yet it is more a cause for concern in the MENA region. As of October 2019, more than 16 million children have been poorly nourished in the Middle East and North Africa. Childhood Malnutrition is a growing threat to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, and in particular to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
#SaveSheikhJarrah: israel Breaks International Law by Expelling Palestinians From their Own Land, and the International Community Remains Silent
Analysis by Roa Daher, Featured Writer
On May 2nd, 2021, Mohammed Al-Kurd and his family will have to leave their home in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, and they are not alone. By order of the Jerusalem District Court, six families comprising 27 people, including Al-Kurd’s family, will be forcibly evicted from the houses they have lived in for seven decades. The expulsion of Palestinians from their homes to replace them with israeli settlers has been an inhumane and illegal project ongoing since the 1948 Nakba. If the indigenous Palestinian population isn’t being threatened with eviction, then they are consistently harassed by israeli settlers.
America is back…...at fueling international conflicts: Will Biden’s hawkish past cloud his judgment in regard to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict?
Opinion Policy Analysis by Johnny Achkar, Featured Writer
According to announcements from the Ukrainian and Russian governments, the conflict in Eastern Ukraine, which has been simmering for months and attracting no foreign interest, has exploded in recent days. With President Biden’s foreign policy record during his tenure as a senator from Delaware and as Vice President leads us to believe that an Eastern European conflict is not a far-fetched scenario.
Capitalism Scores an Offside: “We decide when you play”
Opinion Analysis by Tala Majzoub, Featured Writer and Tala Karkanawi, Contributor
The European Super League is on the verge of collapsing less than 48 hours after its announcement. The Super League ruse extends beyond the scope of football; it exposes the agenda of a small number of elite clubs that care more about entertainment capital than the history and values of the game. The threat of a pan-European league was met with widespread pressure from the fans, ultimately shifting the rules of the grander commercial scheme.
The Climate Crisis Under the Microscope Part Two: How Bitcoin Contributes to Climate Change
Opinion Analysis by Roa Daher, Featured Writer
Cryptocurrency’s contribution to climate change is due to its carbon footprint: the carbon emissions that are a result of the energy-intensive nature of mining make the growth in popularity of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin dangerous for the environment. Many crypto fans remain of the opinion that the democratising benefits and applications of Bitcoin greatly outweigh the environmental harm. This wishful thinking is rooted primarily in ignorance and an unwillingness to address the facts and accept the scale of the climate crisis. The reality is that no matter how revolutionary and beneficial Bitcoin is to society, it has an environmental impact that must be minimised.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A Comparative look at South Africa and Rwanda
Opinion Analysis by Johnny Achkar, Featured Writer
Economic independence is highly correlated with economic development. Societal improvements also to lead to a betterment of society. Anyone who witnessed the remarkable growth of countries in the former Eastern Bloc after the collapse of the former Soviet Union can attest to this. Rwanda has surpassed South Africa as the hottest investment destination on the African continent, according to the Economic Freedom of the World annual survey. As a result, Kigali has consistently been ranked as one of the world's fastest growing economies, with higher living standards. Join me as I look at the numerous reasons for this occurrence.
World Delayed Projects - Egypt Changes Capital From Cairo To The New Administrative Capital
Opinion Analysis by Annabelle Ghanem, Contributor
At Egypt’s 2015 Economic Conference, Prime Minister Ibrahim Melheb announced a historical project that aims to change the ancient Egyptian capital from Cairo, to The New Administrative Capital (name is subjected to change). The project falls directly in line with the goals of the 2030 Egypt vision, which calls for the advancement of sustainable developments in the social, economic, and environmental spheres of the nation. However, the phases for constructing the utopian image painted by the Egyptian government have faced tremendous delays due to the economic and health crises inflicting the globe.
Putin, Navalny, and Russian Democracy - Between means and ends
Opinion Analysis by Gaia Bchara, Featured Writer
Alexei Navalny’s rise within Russia’s political scene has made headlines around the world. Navalny isa Russian anti-corruption, anti-Kremlin critic, activist, politician, and former presidential candidate. Most recently, Navalny scored himself a new title: prisoner. His imprisonment comes at the heels of an assassination attempt – allegedly mandated by Russian authorities – last December. Support of the Kremlin’s harshest critic have poured in since his poisoning. Although the authoritarian nature of Putin’s rule is undeniable, some scrutiny of Russia’s vigorous opposition leader is in order.
The Fed’s latest and greatest monetary policy tool - how the US made it rain
Opinion Analysis by Sandro Joseph Azzam, Staff Writer
With the US moving towards strong economic stimulus in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve has resorted to a series of unconventional monetary policy tools
From Hopes of Economic Prosperity to a Major Collapse with Seismic Ramifications - How years of economic mismanagement in Lebanon affected war torn countries
Opinion piece by Jad Haddad, Contributor
Lebanon went from a very promising economy to a disastrous crash, how a decade of financial and economic mismanagement affected the middle east, what happened to the promising future and why are Yemen and Syria blaming Lebanon for their misfortune.