Opinion | Dialogue without illusion: Rethinking engagement with Israel
We are, in one way or another, bound to engage with others, across borders, cultures, and political divides. Yet the paradox of our time is that such engagement has become more ethically complex than ever. Dialogue is no longer a
Opinion | Chokeholds of Civilisation
The British National Archives recently declassified a significant tranche of Foreign Office files from the 1956 Suez Crisis, and the timing is as blunt as the documents themselves. These papers—specifically the FO 371 and PREM 11 series—do more than fill
Opinion | Tehran: The Final Manoeuver
Iran’s strategy of negotiated pressure–whether driven by intransigence or internal factional rivalry–effectively grants US President Donald Trump a form of political cover to return to the battlefield. Beyond that, it risks drawing in other actors–such as the European Union and
Opinion | Intersecting Interests of Russia, China, and Iran: Implications for the Middle East’s Balance of Power
Today’s international environment is far more complex than in the past. Alliances are less defined, and the world is no longer divided into strictly opposing blocs. International relations have become increasingly fluid. Within this context, the evolving relationship among Russia,
Opinion | Is Germany losing confidence? A Hertie School perspective
Hertie School in Berlin holds a special place in my academic journey, not only as a leading institution examining Germany’s political, social, and human dynamics, but also as a formative personal experience. My time there, and my continued engagement with
Opinion | The Struggle over ‘Corridors of the Future’
The US-imposed maritime blockade on Iran cannot be adequately understood in isolation from the broader equation of “sovereignty versus technological supremacy” that structures the ongoing rivalry between the United States and China. The swift and unequivocal response delivered by China’s
Opinion | The Egyptian pound: Between stability gains and cautious outlook
The recent strengthening of the Egyptian pound (EGP) against the US dollar towards the end of last week’s trading was not merely a random fluctuation or a simple market reaction to easing geopolitical tensions and cautious optimism over a potential
Opinion | Would a War with Iran Constitute Grounds for Impeaching Trump? Navigating Constitutional Complexities and American Political Constraints
Amid escalating political debate in the United States in 2026, the issue of impeaching President Donald Trump has resurfaced with renewed vigor, fueled by a complex mix of circulating news, misleading videos, and opinion polls reflecting sharp divisions within American
Opinion | From Watergate to Epstein: How Trump Changed the Morality of the World
Moral scandals have long shaped Western politics, but for decades they functioned as tests of institutional strength and the credibility of ethical discourse. Leaders from Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton, alongside prime ministers and ministers across France, Italy, Germany, Sweden,
Opinion | Living With Reality: Egypt, Israel, and the Limits of Denial
For decades, the Arab Israeli conflict has been framed in absolute emotional terms: love or hate, victory or defeat, resistance or betrayal. This language, while capable of mobilising sentiment, has repeatedly failed to deliver peace, justice, or stability. What confronts