- English Newsletter March 25
Weekly Newsletter
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Al Majalla published never-before-released conversations between Iraqi Kurdish and Syrian leaders in the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. Ibrahim Hamidi unlocks the details after obtaining the exclusive documents belonging to the late Abdel Halim Khaddam, the former Syrian Vice President.
On his part, Amr Emam unpacked the generous aid package from European leaders to Egypt. He says, “With an economy in decline, a growing population, as well as a growing refugee community, Egypt can be the source of the next migration wave into Europe. This package aims to stave off this 'threat'.”
Meanwhile, Robert Ford calls the two candidates running for the White House “weak”. He says, “Doubts about Biden's age and anger over his Gaza policy will likely hinder his campaign. Meanwhile, Trump has a serious cash problem.”
And Aqeel Abbas pens an article titled The Schumer shock: Seismic US shift on Israel or attempt to gain voter favour? In it, he says, “Criticism of Netanyahu from a US senator and staunch supporter of Israel is important. But Democrats are increasingly opposing Israel's war on Gaza and want to see actions, not just talk.”
Khaled Kassar pens an Opinion piece titled Israel is behind America's crusade against TikTok. In it, he says, “The Chinese social media app's only crime seems to be its ability to amplify pro-Palestinian voices that have been censored and silenced for far too long in America.”
On her part, Alia Mansour says that the war in Gaza proves that Iran is all talk but no action. She says, “With all of Iran's investment in its so-called axis of resistance, the Palestinians have yet to reap the rewards of this alleged support.”
Finally, for Opinion, Con Coughlin says that Putin’s sweeping election victory in Russia will only dim prospects for resolving the Ukraine war.
Switching to Business, Rabia Khreis looks at the reasons and implications of a decision made by top global gas producers at a recent meeting in Algiers to set four red lines.
On her part, Salwa Baalbaki pens a piece titled, In Lebanon, building collapses are the latest manifestation of state collapse. In it, she warns, “ageing structures, war, the port explosion, and severe weather all contributed to building decay in Lebanon. But there is no plan for alternative housing should a perfect storm hit.”
In Culture, Firas Al-Madi highlights five imaginative films that brought cinema back to its pre-COVID shine. He says, “2023 saw a trend of films within films with cutting-edge directors embracing classic cinema.”
On his part, Samer Abou Hawwach reviews the Oscar-nominated film by German filmmaker Wim Wenders, Perfect Days. Shot in Toyko, the movie pays homage to Ozu and other Japanese filmmaking giants. Critics say this could be his best work yet.
Last but not least, Anna Borshchevskaya turns our attention to the South Caucasus, posing the question: Are Armenia and Azerbaijan heading to peace? In the piece, she says, “Regional and international factors create conducive conditions for ending the decades-long conflict between Baku and Yerevan.”
Exclusive: How Syria and Iran plotted over a post-Saddam Iraq
Damascus and Tehran wanted invading US troops to get stuck in a 'new Vietnam' and set up an operations room headed by their top lieutenants to cause havoc, never-before-published documents show.
Trump and Biden: Two weak candidates for the White House
Doubts about Biden's age and his Gaza policy will likely hinder his campaign. Meanwhile, Trump has a serious cash problem. Al Majalla explains.
The Schumer shock: Seismic US shift on Israel or attempt to gain voter favour?
Criticism of Netanyahu from a US senator and staunch supporter of Israel is important. But Democrats are increasingly opposing Israel's war on Gaza and want to see actions, not just talk.
Why so generous? Lifting the veil on Europe's aid package to Egypt
With an economy in decline, a growing population and a growing refugee community, Egypt can be the source of the next migration wave into Europe. This package aims to stave off this 'threat'.
Amr EmamIsrael is behind America's crusade against TikTok
Khaled KassarGaza proves Iran is all talk but no action
Alia MansourPutin's election win dims prospect of Ukraine war resolution
Con CoughlinTop global gas producers set four red lines
A series of red lines were drawn at a meeting of gas-producing countries in Algiers. Al Majalla looks at what they are, where they came from, and what they may mean for energy markets.
In Lebanon, building collapses are the latest manifestation of state collapse
Ageing structures, war, the port explosion, and severe weather are all factors that contributed to building decay in Lebanon. But there is no plan for alternative housing should a perfect storm hit.
Five imaginative films that brought cinema back to its pre-Covid shine
2023 saw a trend of films-within-films with cutting-edge directors embracing classic cinema
'Perfect Days' shows how a quiet life can have bold ambitions
Shot in Toyko, Wim Wenders' film pays homage to Ozu and other Japanese filmmaking giants. Critics say this could be the German filmmaker's best work yet.
Are Azerbaijan and Armenia heading to peace?
Regional and international factors create conducive conditions for ending the decades-long conflict between Baku and Yerevan. Al Majalla explains why, this time, it's different.