Stories Archive | Page 13 of 72

Analyses

After surpassing 90 percent approval in the first round of the presidential elections on October 6, incumbent Tunisian leader Kais Saied faces his new term in a political, social, and economic climate vastly different from that of 2019. We discussed this shift with writer and essayist Hatem Nafty, whose latest work, Notre ami Kaïs Saïed. Essai sur la démocrature tunisienne (Our Friend Kais Saied: An Essay on the Tunisian Dictatorship), was presented in late September.

Philosophy
A Tribute to Shabbir Akhtar, Theologian of Islam
Mohammed Hashas 27 July 2023
International Affairs
Decline of Freedom, Collapse of Politics:
End of Parties throughout the MENA
Claudia De Martino 19 July 2023

Democracy is not doing well in the MENA region and political parties are the main casualties, surviving through life-support mechanisms but failing to make inroads in their respective national political contexts.
International Affairs
The Russian Factor in China’s Imperative of Stability
Seán Golden 10 July 2023

China’s foreign policy faces complexity due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It seeks access to resources and markets for its development and aims to challenge the dominance of the US, EU, and NATO. China cannot support Russia nor back NATO’s leadership. It seeks stability through diplomacy and maintains strict political control. However, Putin’s invasion and NATO’s response create strategic headaches for China, affecting its carefully promoted multipolar world order. China’s stability seems more secure than Russia’s, but uncertainties remain amid the changing global landscape.
Society
The Myth of a US Colorblind Constitution
Hussein Ibish 6 July 2023

The US Supreme Court has issued another shocking but unsurprising ruling that arbitrarily dispenses with precedents and upends long-settled law at the expense of the historically disempowered: now African American and Latino students will be deprived of “affirmative action” programmes considering race in university admissions. However, the assumption there was a shared originary understanding of the Constitution is false since the Constitution has been aggressively colour-conscious throughout its history, mainly at the expense of minority groups
International Affairs
Prigozhin’s March and Putin’s Lack of Action
Enrico Osvaldi 30 June 2023

Putin’s lack of reaction to Prigozhin’s June 23 “march for justice” may signal more than just an attempt to avoid a bloody conflict on the streets of Russia. The outward temerity of the Russian response could indicate that a real blow was dealt to Russian morale, however this could indicate more repressive measures to come from the Kremlin.
International Affairs
Armenia’s Growing Isolation:
Room for Compromise on Nagorno-Karabakh?
Claudia De Martino 30 June 2023

Armenia struggles with its international standing as its increased isolation may mean that it will not be in a position to negotiate with its neighbor Azerbaijan over any future conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
International Affairs
The Return of Poland’s Anti-Government Opposition
Fabio Turco 19 June 2023

On June 4th almost half a million peopled gathered throughout Poland in defense of democracy, to protest a recent law passed by President Andrzej Duda approved, which permits parliament to establish a commission in investigate electoral integrity with sweeping powers that could imperil political opposition.
Society
India’s Digital Revolution at the Mercy of Authoritarianism
Maria Tavernini 16 June 2023

Ever since demonetization, which enabled a rise in digital payments and debit cards, India has been rapidly moving toward a digital-first economy. Over the past decade, the country has set up a wide range of digital platforms whose number and scope have recently grown to include every aspect of life.
Society
Israeli Rallies for Democracy Reach 23rd Week
Manuela Dviri 12 June 2023

Israeli rallies began in November, after Netanyahu’s victory and the formation of a new government through a coalition of six right-wing parties. At a press conference held on January 4, Minister of Justice Yariv Levin announced the government’s plan to reform the judicial branch that would empower the executive branch to override it.
International Affairs
In Lebanon There is no Alternative to the Rule of Law
Nicole Hamouche 9 June 2023

The enormity of Beirut’s port blast and of the extortion of the Lebanese population of their deposits and life savings account for the default of the rule of law in this former enclave of liberty and democracy in the Middle East. Insidiously, Lebanon is becoming a police state, where freedom of expression and basic human rights such as access to education and health are being denied.