Does China Really Support Palestine?
China has a complex relationship with Palestine and Israel. Although the economic giant has supported the Palestinian struggle for independence, it also maintains strong economic relations with Israel.
China’s “Middle East policy” primarily centers around its financial investments and the BRI. It is trying to maintain these investments through diplomatic relations.
According to Maidah Tariq, China has maintained a balanced stance since the initial stages of the conflict that erupted on October 7th. China has expressed support for an independent Palestinian state and the two-state solution, and it continues to work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
History of the Crusades
This infographic gives a glimpse into the history of the seven crusades sanctioned by the Latin Church to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule. From 1096 to 1270, the Crusades strongly impacted Middle Eastern and European history and culture.
Insight into the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is positioning itself as a competitor to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Minahil Khalid expands on how this initiative materialized after the September 2023 G20 summit. IMEC holds significant economic and strategic importance as it connects India, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe, thereby establishing a trade route with the potential to reshape global trading dynamics. The impact of IMEC on Pakistan needs to be assessed, considering that this corridor may pose challenges to the success and involvement of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the region.
Why Is the Middle East Such a Complicated Region to Study?
A culturally, politically, and historically diverse area, the Middle East has been quite an enigmatic region for scholars to study. This is mainly because of past and present complexities in the region itself and also due to the obscure picture painted by the methodologies employed by scholars in the past. Although there are copious amounts of problems, Mr. Ishfaq has only briefly elucidated several major ones i.e. history, definitional issues, Islam, the West-dominated field, orientalism, and a lack of theoretical focus.
Most Visited Cities in the World
In the Global Destination City Index by Mastercard survey, cities of countries in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East dominate the rankings.
Bangkok leads with with over 22 million visitors, while both Paris and London follow closely behind with over 19 million visitors each.
Is the Softening of the US’s Support for Israel Possible?
The US’s unshakable support for Israel has never been contested. In fact, Israel’s relentless attacks on the Palestinians is primarily due to the US’s diplomatic and military support.
Many think that unless the US exerts enough pressure on Israel in exchange for its support, Israel will not make any serious effort to resolve the conflict with Palestine.
Given the ire of the public and the incoming presidential elections, can the US support for Israel remain rock solid?
The Case of Julian Assange: Unveiling the Hypocrisy & Crimes of the US
Julian Assange, an Australian journalist and co-founder of WikiLeaks, has published confidential US military records exposing evidence of war crimes and human rights abuses in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, Assange faces legal charges, including allegations of sexual assault and espionage, sparking debates about press freedom and government transparency. On the contrary, the perpetrator of these crimes preaches democracy and freedom while criticizing other states for waging wars.
Forging Partnerships: Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad Visits China
Seeking funds and allies to rebuild war-torn Syria, President Bashar al-Assad made a historic visit to China on September 21, 2023, and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. During the visit, a strategic partnership was established, fostering cooperation in various areas. The Sino-Syrian partnership will serve to enhance China’s influence in the Middle East and challenge Western hegemony in the region.
Understanding the Devastating Impact of the 2023 Floods in Libya
In September 2023, Libya faced a catastrophe of unparalleled proportions as it was ravaged by devastating floods. The effects of these floods were far-reaching, leaving behind a trail of destruction and human suffering. As the waters swept through cities and villages, homes were destroyed, infrastructure was decimated, and lives were upended. In the aftermath of the floods, Hafsa Ammar sheds light on the extent of the damage caused and the challenges faced by the affected communities. From the loss of lives and displacement of people to the disruption of essential services like healthcare and clean water supply, the impact of these floods cannot be overstated.
Are China and Russia Replacing the US in the Middle East?
China and Russia are making strategic and economic deals with the Middle East, especially Iran and Saudi Arabia, which will be detrimental to the domination of the US in the region.
Moreover, Western hostility has brought China, Russia, and Iran close to forming a triple axis.
To better understand China and Russia’s increasing relations in the Middle East, Sana Azhar explores the economic, strategic, and soft power domains.
The Adani Group: Haifa Port and the Accounting Fraud
India has been a popular participant in international politics recently. It has graced the headlines with its business tycoon, Gautam Adani.
The Indian billionaire was just hit with a major scandal of accounting fraud while also landing one of the most significant ports in the Middle East region, the Haifa Port of Israel.
David vs Goliath: The Epic Military Mismatch Between Palestine and Israel
While the mainstream media is cognizant of the military discrepancy between Israel and the Palestinians, the consequences of this discrepancy are almost never commented on.
The Middle East Quartet & Its Role
The Middle East Quartet was set up in 2002, primarily to help mediate the Middle East peace negotiations. It has also been supporting Palestinian economic development and institution-building in preparation for eventual statehood.
The platform has an informal structure, but it provides fluidity to members to navigate crises.
Cold War in the Islamic World by Dilip Hiro
Written by Dilip Hiro, “Cold War in the Islamic World: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Struggle for Supremacy” presents an analysis of the ongoing conflict between Riyadh and Tehran. The author, while conveying the depth of conflict, explains the reality behind the persistent rivalry between both states.
Israel and Russia’s Weakening Bilateral Relations
After three decades of increasingly friendly ties, a series of unfortunate events are worsening the relations between Israel and Russia. Since the strategies of both the countries have been based on interest-driven realpolitik, they have cooperated over shared goals and objectives despite stark differences on a number of matters. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s increasing attacks on Syria, the tensions between the two countries are escalating like never before.
Muqtada al-Sadr, the US, & Iraq’s Political Turmoil
Iraq’s political unrest has been years in the making. The consensus-based political system imposed on Iraq as a result of the 2003 American invasion has brought corruption and inefficiency to the state’s governance. Aamina Ikram notes that in the face of the rising instability, Muqtada-al-Sadr presents a ray of hope for most Iraqis, with his claims of establishing a majoritarian government for Iraq. However, since Iraq has been unable to form a new government even after 10 months post elections, the supporters of al-Sadr stormed the Iraqi Parliament & breached the Green Zone in protest.
Biden Visits the Middle East
Last week, President Joe Biden made a series of visits to various political leaders in the Middle East. While this trip marked a diplomatic milestone in his tenure, being his first comprehensive visit to a region stained with American intervention and restructuring, Hassan Saeed Khan writes that the US was too absorbed in relieving itself of the oil crisis than resolving human rights violations.