- English Newsletter March 18
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It is a bleak Ramadan for Palestinians in Gaza as Israel’s war has cast a dark shadow on festivities. The joy normally associated with this holy Muslim month has disappeared from people’s faces. Salem Al Rayyes speaks to displaced Palestinians who barely have enough food to feed their children, let alone buy them gifts.
And if bombs and hunger don’t kill Palestinians in Gaza, aid airdrops can. Khaled Kassar narrates the absurd tragedy that happened last week when parachutes of aid airdrops failed and killed desperate people who had gathered to collect the aid. He says, “The decision to begin aid airdrops into Gaza is the latest in a series of failures by the international community to 'help' the Palestinian people.”
Samer Abou Hawwach writes about The Zone of Interest, which won an Oscar for Best Film last week. He writes, “Glazer's Oscar-winning film prompts the question: What would we have done had we lived during the Holocaust and known about it? The genocide in Gaza today reveals frightening answers.”
On his part, Con Coughlin writes about how Gaza shifted Biden’s strategy in the Middle East. He says, “Regional turmoil necessitates a significant US military presence in the region for the foreseeable future.”
Meanwhile, Aqeel Abbas writes how Gaza is impacting the tight race for the White House, covering the results of Super Tuesday last week in the United States. He says, “The 'uncommitted' movement's spread signals a broader issue of punitive voting among different demographic groups, not just Arab or Muslim Americans.”
Haid Haid writes on how US sanctions on Israeli settlers are for show, not accountability. He says, “To effectively tackle settler violence, sanctions should target the structures and politicians that incite or tolerate it.”
And Alia Mansour writes how the Lebanese have been held hostage by Hezbollah’s decisions on war. She says, “Hezbollah's calculated military engagement could spiral out of control any minute amid Israeli escalations. As always, the Lebanese people have little say on where their leaders take them.”
Meanwhile, Toufic Chabour writes how Lebanese politicians and bankers are joined at the hip. He says, “A new draft law designed to help reform banking in Lebanon and address distrust in the sector is full of loopholes—handy for those who might benefit. Meanwhile, conflicts of interest remain.”
Marco Mossad writes on the Houthi underwater cables that carry more than just megabits. He explains that the cables are of immense strategic importance due to their specific locations. Their disablement could cause massive shutdowns.
On his part, Houssam Itani profiles Russian President Vladimir Putin. He says, “To understand Putin's character and leadership brand, you need to delve deep into Russia's historical evolution and geography.”
As the Ukraine war drags on and causalities mount, more women have joined the frontlines. Steven Hewitt looks at history’s lengthy record of female combat soldiers.
Finally, Mehmet Hakki Sucin pens a piece titled From the divan to the digital: A look at Turkey’s rich tradition of poetry. He explains how political, intellectual, and social trends have influenced the country’s popular literary rhythms from their earliest and deepest roots.
How Gaza shifted Biden's strategy in the Middle East
After the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel, Biden now recognises the need to contain Iran and prevent it from causing more unrest in the region
Putin: The Russian leader with a very particular worldview
Channelling the heavyweights of Russia's past, the current president sees it as his job to "retake" territory he deems to be Russian. It is a fundamental part of who he is.
Ukraine's women soldiers remind of history's female warriors
As the Ukraine war drags on and causalities mount, more women have joined the frontlines. But women have a long history of fighting in wars. Al Majalla explains.
Israel's war casts dark shadow on Ramadan in Gaza
The joy normally associated with this holy Muslim month has disappeared from people's faces. Al Majalla speaks to displaced Palestinians who barely have enough food to feed their families.
Salem Al RayyesUS sanctions on Israeli settlers are for show, not accountability
Haid HaidIn Gaza, if bombs and hunger don't kill you, aid airdrops can
Khaled KassarLebanese held hostage to Hezbollah's decisions on war
Alia MansourMake or break: Houthi underwater cables carry more than just megabits
From casual chats to commercial trades and confidential information, the transport and targeting of data under the Red Sea is a major issue. Can the Houthis cripple the world's communications?
Joined at the hip: Lebanon’s bankers and politicians dig in
A new draft law designed to help reform banking in Lebanon and address distrust in the sector is full of loopholes—handy for those who might benefit. Meanwhile, the conflicts of interest remain.
The Zone of Interest: A Holocaust film with echoes in today's world
Glazer's Oscar-winning film prompts the question: What would we have done had we lived during the Holocaust and known about it? The genocide in Gaza today reveals frightening answers.
From the divan to the digital: A look at Turkey’s rich tradition of poetry
Political, intellectual and social trends have influenced the country's popular literary rhythms from its earliest and deepest roots. This is their story.
Super Tuesday showed how Gaza is shaping the tight race for the White House
The set-piece vote to nominate candidates set up a re-match between Trump and Biden, as expected. But it also featured a potentially vital new factor that could define a tight contest.