Japan’s Journey in Discovering Islam

by Nulifar Zain At the time of writing this article on Japanese culture, the cherry blossom season is at its peak. The “sakura” season symbolizes new beginnings and encapsulates the Japanese fascination with philosophy, nature, and the ephemeral beauty of life. In many ways, Japan’s interaction with Islam follows a similar pattern—gradual discovery, adaptation, and Read more

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The Syrian Crisis After Assad: Political Divisions and Uncertain Futures

The fall of the Assad government marked a turning point in Syria’s long and turbulent history, but rather than ushering in a period of stability, it has plunged the country into a new phase of political strife. The transition has been marred by power struggles, ideological clashes, and deepening divisions among key factions. At the Read more

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The History of the Alawites in Syria

The Alawites, an ethno-religious group primarily residing in the coastal mountains of Syria, have a long and complex history marked by migration, persecution, and political transformations. Originating from Iraq, they eventually settled in the mountainous regions of Syria, where they faced economic hardship and social marginalization. Over the centuries, they endured massacres and conflicts while Read more

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The future of Syria in the light of similar events in SWANA

by Ahmed Souaiaia Since the start of the protest movement popularly known as the Arab Spring in 2011, all countries in Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) have been impacted and the level of change in each of these countries depended on domestic, regional and global factors. However, there is one variable that established itself Read more

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Can the Rise of Women Leaders in Africa Fix Decades of Corruption and a Heavy legacy of Colonialism?

by Lamia Ahmed Throughout the ages, African women have played a pivotal role in the history of their countries, and have contributed effectively to shaping the culture and development of society. There have always been pioneering women who have changed the course of history. This is the warrior queen Amina, Queen of Zazzau (Northern Nigeria), Read more

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“Türkiye for the New Century”, Türkiye’s politics and parties

by Ali M. Shukr Recently published by the Institute for Future Studies in Beirut, the book “Turkey in the New Century: The Political System, Parties, and Pressure Groups,” was presented by Professor Emrullah Ashler, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey. The book was divided into an introduction and 5 chapters. In each chapter, a Read more

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The rise of the Welfare Party: This is what the schizophrenia did to Erdogan

by Abdel Moneim Ali Issa In a meeting held last Wednesday with leaders of the Justice and Development Party, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan summarized the reasons that led to the party’s defeat in last week’s municipal elections, saying that what happened “was not only a loss of votes, but also a loss of blood.” Read more

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Parsing “We don’t do body count”

For some time, people of the Global South have suspected their humanity does not register in the mind and hearts of the “civilized” Western world. However, recent events, including the West’s response to the pandemic, turned that suspicion into an established fact. Western leaders’ refusal to acknowledge civilian casualties resulting from wars they initiated, their Read more

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