Robust health systems are society’s first line of defence against pandemics
Belgium has long been written off as a dysfunctional and failing state, yet its response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been surprisingly functional
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development
The demographic dimension: The role of population growth in the Arab uprisings
Decades of unprecedented population growth have played a significant role in Arab regime repression, the two main waves of revolutions that swept the region, and the fierce counterrevolutions that followed.
Read MoreEgypt: 21st-century plagues threaten the country’s survival
While the Egyptian regime battles for its survival, Egypt itself may not survive as a viable state, as it faces a ‘plague’ of potentially crippling environmental, economic and social challenges.
Read MoreThe truth about Islamic reformations
Islam needs a reformation for Muslim societies to develop and prosper, is one of those rare convictions shared by both Islamophiles and Islamophobes. Tunisia has done just that: radically reformed its brand of Islam and established a vibrant democracy to boot, yet prosperity eludes it. Why?
Read MoreBoutros-Ghali: Make diplomacy, not war
The world is paying the price for Boutros Boutros-Ghali’s foiled attempts to reform the United Nations into an effective force to resolve conflicts.
Read MoreSisi seeks symbolic Suez moment
Suez Canal II is not about economics. It is a symbol of how President Sisi is supposedly navigating Egypt through narrow straits towards modernity.
Read MoreDispelling the curse of the Nile
Conflict between Nile basin countries has been averted. But unless effective action is taken, a water war remains a distinct future possibility.
Read MoreSave the Nile Delta, President Sisi
Egypt would be much better off saving the sinking ship of the Nile Delta instead of building a white elephant Suez Canal II.
Read MoreRobert Mugabe and ethical tourism
Was Robert Mugabe’s appointment as UN ‘tourism ambassador’ an unforgivable travesty or can ‘guilt-edged tourism’ trigger reform in dictatorships?
Read MoreThe power of Palestinian ingenuity
Outsiders are more likely to associate Palestine with statehood-pending than patent-pending, but innovation is crucial to building a better future.
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