The verdict on Rafik Hariri’s assassination
The UN-backed International Special Tribunal for Lebanon said it found no evidence of Hezbollah or Syria’s involvement in the 2005 assassination of Rafik Hariri. However, this verdict may not mark the end of the issue
Why is the US threatening to activate ‘snapback’ sanctions on Iran?
The latest US threat of resuming sanctions comes after its failure to get the UN Security Council’s approval for an indefinite extension of the international arms embargo against Iran which is set to expire on October 18
Post-election protests leave Belarus at a crossroads
The protesters have alleged massive rigging in Sunday’s election results through which incumbent Alexander Lukashenko won his sixth presidential term with over 80% votes
Making sense of the ongoing anti-corruption protests in Israel
Protests in Israel which began with the demand for prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation over corruption charges are gradually changing in nature. Anti-occupation and pro-Palestinian groups are entering the space as well
Beirut blasts intensify economic and political crisis in Lebanon
Decades of neoliberal policies have made Lebanon among the most unequal societies in the world, and social and economic discontent is expected to grow following the blasts
COVID-19 shows the need to rebuild public health systems in Central Asian countries
Most of the countries in central Asia have been reluctant to reimpose restrictions due to the economic fallout. This has led to a massive jump in the total number of new infections and deaths in late June and July
Iran faces twin challenges of COVID-19 and American sanctions
The worst hit country in West Asia, Iran has had a tough time coping with the pandemic amid US sanctions. It has resorted to strengthening links with countries such as Russia and China towards this end
Workers returning from crisis-hit Gulf economies need state support back home
The Gulf countries are already forcing a large number of migrant workers to go back to their home countries