Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Zaakir Ahmed Mayet
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The finish line is just the beginning: gender parity at the Olympics
For the first time in history, gender parity will be achieved at the Paris Olympic Games, a seminal moment in the world of international sports. This milestone is celebrated as a triumph for female athletes and a reflection of broader shifts in societal norms concerning gender equality. The narrative...
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Haniyeh’s assassination unleashes a new era of political violence
The assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in a “treacherous Zionist raid” on his Tehran residence has ignited a firestorm of fury, as Iran’s new president vows to make Israel “regret” its “cowardly action”. The Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has decreed that avenging Haniyeh’s killing is...
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It’s impossible to feel safe, says Palestinian photojournalist Muath Amarneh
In almost ten months of Israeli genocide in Gaza, coupled with escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, one category in particular has become a target: media workers. At least 160 journalists have been killed in the offensive against the Palestinians Gaza since last October. Many others have been...
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Gaza’s orphans: How Gaza’s young survivors can shape the future
The streets of Gaza are haunted by the echoes of battle, with every explosion and bullet fired leaving a permanent mark on the city’s infrastructure as well as the hearts and minds of its people. The youngsters left orphaned by the violence are among those most severely impacted; having...
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Netanyahu address to Congress faces boycott and mass protests
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address the US Congress on Wednesday, an event which is expected to draw crowds of protesters. At least 21 Democrats are planning to boycott the speech, including Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Chris Van Hollen, as well as Representatives Alexandria...
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With Biden stepping down, will Harris win the White House for the Democrats?
Joe Biden has finally agreed to withdraw from the US presidential race following a backlash from campaign donors after his poor showing on the CNN Presidential Debate on 27 June and intense pressure from colleagues. Vice President Kamala Harris now appears to have enough endorsements to accept the nomination...
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A brief history of boycotts and their legal foundations
Boycotts are considered to be one of the most effective tools for expressing the rejection of policies, actions and activities related to states and their alleged human rights violations, including Israel’s military occupation of Palestine. They can take several forms: economic, cultural, sports, diplomatic and legal rights-based. Before delving...
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Israel and the enforced disappearance of Palestinian from Gaza
Israel has used all means to target Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, in addition to internationally prohibited weapons that wiped out people, trees and stones, Israeli forces have randomly arrested thousands of civilians including women and children, doctors, journalists from different areas of the Strip during the ground...
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Boycott Battleground: Can Consumer Activism Shape a Marketplace?
The ongoing Gaza conflict has prompted waves of boycotts of Western brands, such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, by consumer activists and ordinary citizens in an attempt to force these companies to rethink their business interests with Israel. While the direct financial impact of these boycotts is debatable, they have...
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Where could the escalation between Algeria and Morocco lead?
The political and media escalation between Algeria and Morocco reached a new level last week, after the announcement of a representative office being opened for what was called the Moroccan Republic of the Rif, in the Algerian capital. This was a move that some say was a response, albeit...
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Will illegal immigrants be Trump’s gateway back to the White House?
US media outlets report routinely on the journey of undocumented immigrants which use the services of shady yet sophisticated networks to reach America and start working illegally. Roughly 2.5 million people entered the US illegally last year via clandestine routes. Such occurrences are now commonplace and are a source...
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Power plays and shadows: The pro-Israel lobby and the Epstein case
In the realm of politics, blackmail and lobbying can intersect, prompting serious contemplation about the ethical bedrock of power dynamics. Both entail the tactical deployment of influence. However, their methodologies are markedly distinct. Often, lines are crossed, and the power of lobbying is not only driven by financial power...
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Developmental states in the Middle East and the status of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Middle East is usually recognised through words such as oil, crisis, war, chaos, terrorism, radicalism and underdevelopment. It has been trying to make some noteworthy transformation during recent years. Despite enduring systemic and security challenges along with conflicts, some countries in the region, especially those on the southern...
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Hunter Biden’s legal woes: looming troubles for Joe Biden’s re-election bid?
As the November 2024 presidential election looms, the United States’ political climate is charged with tension, spotlighting issues far beyond day-to-day concerns. The legal challenges facing former President Donald Trump are poised to influence the election’s destiny, with the US Supreme Court holding significant sway over his prospects. President...
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The president of Egypt does not leave by the electoral process
In the Arab world, not least Egypt, the president never leaves office by the electoral process stipulated in the constitution, which is subject to amendment according to the vision of the regime, as happened in 2019 in the so-called “mother of the world”. Elections are seen as a formality...
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Evolution of Gulf-Israel relations: Analysis of historical trends, regional implications and possibilities
In the aftermath of the events on 7 October, a significant shift was observed in the relations between Gulf countries and Israel, prompted by Israel’s disproportionate and unlawful attacks on the Palestinian people and lands, particularly in Gaza. While Gulf countries aim to establish a common stance on regional...
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The pro-Israel lobbies and the Israel-Palestine conundrum
As Israel expands its war against the Palestinians in Gaza, the unconditional support of the US for the occupation state continues unabated. Most recently, the White House reiterated its support by stating, “We did not draw red lines for Israel.” Washington’s initial reactions were framed within the context of...
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Why does Algeria stop us from organising Gaza solidarity marches?
This week, Algerians have celebrated the 69th anniversary of the November Revolution, in an atmosphere overshadowed by the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in Gaza. The situation was mainly characterised by an atmosphere of restricted freedom in Algeria, to the point that Algerians were not allowed to express their...
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Israel-Palestine: the calls for jihad and impending wave of foreign fighters
On 7 October, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement that is the de facto government of the Gaza Strip, launched an aerial and ground offensive on Israel. Mohammad Deif, the leader of the Hamas military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, condenamed the attack “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”. The movement said that its...
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How an insecure France criminalises Muslim children
The end of August marks the beginning of the new French political season. It’s when government officials back from their summer break introduce their new policies. In that context, newly-appointed Minister of Education Gabriel Attal announced on live TV the banning of the abaya, a traditional long dress worn...
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US-China rivalry stirs ghosts from the past
The Indo-Pacific region presents a rich tapestry of the US administration’s current thinking and manoeuvres within a complex global picture. The longstanding tension between China and Taiwan has been pervasive, as has the resolute stance taken by the US in defending Taiwan’s position and countering China’s expansionism. The US...
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The Trump effect and the US Establishment’s response is a warning for all Americans
Following his 2020 US presidential election defeat, a new chapter has unfolded for Donald Trump as the former president finds himself embroiled in multiple investigations and legal challenges. Notably, he faces the unprecedented scenario of a former US president facing criminal charges. The investigations cover a range of allegations,...
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All wars are bad for children
Russia took the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council on 1 April. The role is held by each of the member states in turn for one month, in English alphabetical order. This means that the Security Council is being led by a country whose president is subject to...
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The ICC’s selective approach to war crimes undermines its credibility
Given the slow and selective investigations of alleged war crimes in Palestine and Afghanistan, the International Criminal Court’s speedy warrant to put Russian President Vladimir Putin on trial for alleged crimes in Ukraine begs questions about it becoming a partisan institution. Based in The Hague, the ICC is an...