If You Stand With Ukraine, You Must Also Stand With Afghanistan (Part 2)

The United States and its allies have abandoned Afghanistan after their two-decade-long occupation, leading to the country's descent into a humanitarian crisis and a terrorist-led government. Meanwhile, these nations have shifted their focus to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, with rhetoric about defending values of democracy and political freedom, but to the Afghan people, this rings hollow. The US's current policy towards Afghanistan is focused on containment rather than support for any specific actors, and their cooperation with the Taliban is reminiscent of Reagan's failed policy of "constructive engagement" with Apartheid South Africa.

China Brokers Saudi Arabia-Iran Diplomatic Agreement – Implications for Yemen’s Civil War

The China-brokered agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran marks a significant shift in relations between the two regional rivals and may pave the way for humanitarian recovery in Yemen, a country devastated by the proxy war between the two nations. The deal involves reopening embassies, respecting state sovereignty, and avoiding interference in foreign affairs.

Qatar Fifa 2022 World Cup: A Game of Sports Diplomacy Mixed with International Scrutiny

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar drew over 1.5 billion viewers and faced controversy over bribery allegations, migrant worker exploitation, and criminalization of homosexuality. Despite using the event to foster international relations, Qatar's imposition of cultural values contradicted its efforts to build ties and exposed the need for better governance by FIFA.

Honor and Shame: On the Word “a’aib” in Arabic

This article discusses the concept of honor and shame in Arab societies, with the term "a'aib" representing shame and its impact on women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and taboo subjects. This socially constructed idea perpetuates negative psychological effects and reinforces honor-based social conduct.

If You Stand With Ukraine, You Must Also Stand With Afghanistan

The United States and its allies have abandoned Afghanistan after their two-decade-long occupation, leading to the country's descent into a humanitarian crisis and a terrorist-led government. Meanwhile, these nations have shifted their focus to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, with rhetoric about defending values of democracy and political freedom, but to the Afghan people, this rings hollow. The US's current policy towards Afghanistan is focused on containment rather than support for any specific actors, and their cooperation with the Taliban is reminiscent of Reagan's failed policy of "constructive engagement" with Apartheid South Africa.

Turkish Opposition Plans to Attempt First Transition of Power in Government in 20 Years

The Table of Six, a coalition of opposition parties in Turkey, has unveiled a detailed plan to change the country if they win the upcoming presidential election. The alliance aims to restore a healthy democracy, promote separation of powers, and restructure the parliamentary government, but faces significant hurdles such as a lack of security in the electoral process and Erdogan's control over the media and government structures.

Calls for Human Rights Council to Establish Independent Investigation into Deadly Beirut Explosion

The power struggle within the Lebanese Judicial system leads to inconclusive evidence of who is responsible for the deadly Beirut explosion. Victims are now calling for an independent investigation by the UN Human Rights Council to hold the Lebanese government accountable.

The Annihilation of Lebanon's Livelihood: Food Insecurity in Lebanon

This article looks at the current food insecurity issue in Lebanon, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut explosion incident, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.