Peace is greater than power
In most parts of the word “Ethiopia” connotes famine, conflict and poverty. The image of a small, backward country with an undernourished population constantly at war and conflict cross border…
Palestinians left with few options against Trump plan
Palestinians have rejected US President Donald Trump's peace proposals but may struggle to push back if Israel launches the plan on the ground by annexing settlements and keys parts of…
Indian navy & Gulf
IT is unfair to draw lessons from the fate of a bankrupt Egypt in the 19th century and relate it to today’s economically vibrant Gulf states. Nevertheless one can detect…
Pakistan: an Egypt in the making?
The International Monetary Fund's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme design for Pakistan (July 2019-September 2022) is uncannily similar to that for Egypt (November 2016-2019 with the last mandatory review held…
Afghan refugee entrepreneurs thrive in Turkey
When Afghan businessman Haji Yakup Burhan fled the violence of his home country 30 years ago, he brought with him his family - and all his money. He headed to…
Pakistan: an Egypt in the making?
The International Monetary Fund's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme design for Pakistan (July 2019-September 2022) is uncannily similar to that for Egypt (November 2016-2019 with the last mandatory review held…
Tanker attacks seen as calibrated but risky Iranian response to US sanctions
If, despite its firm denials, Iran was behind attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf last week and a further four last month, they represent a calibrated yet risky…
The marriage age debate
THE new debate over the minimum marriage age for girls has revealed a massive regression in our society’s social thinking and the implications are truly alarming. Ninety years ago, a…
Springtime in the Middle East
It is springtime in the Middle East once again. It would be fair to say that I haven’t witnessed such glorious, reinvigorating weather in my long years of living and…
China steps up drone race with stealth aircraft
China is unleashing stealth drones and pilotless aircraft fitted with AK-47 rifles onto world markets, racing to catch up to US technology and adding to a fleet that has already…
