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By Spyros A. Sofos, Assistant Professor in Global Humanities, Simon Fraser University Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian territory have been widely framed as an act of deterrence or yet another episode in a protracted regional rivalry. Such interpretations overlook the deeper motivations behind Israel’s actions. As a global humanities scholar who specializes in Middle Eastern … Continue reading “How Israel’s domestic crises and Netanyahu’s aim to project power are reshaping the Middle East”
By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex During Donald Trump’s first term, he made clear that he wanted his foreign policy to be as unpredictable as possible, stating: “I don’t want them to know what I’m thinking.” With the US’s recent attack on Iran, Trump certainly kept everyone in suspense. … Continue reading “Will Trump’s high-risk Iran strategy pay dividends at home if the peace deal holds?”
By Caleb H. Wheeler, Senior Lecturer in Law, Cardiff University The recent US attack on Iran’s nuclear sites has prompted renewed questions about whether the UN charter’s prohibition on the use of force is meaningful. Considered one of the keystones of international law, article 2(4) of the charter specifically forbids member states from using force … Continue reading “has the UN charter failed?”
By Gregory F. Treverton, Professor of Practice in International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences The Trump administration’s decision to bomb Iran dramatically marks the now nearly half-century of hostility between the United States and Iran, which began in 1979 with Iran’s takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the taking … Continue reading “What happens next in US-Iran relations will be informed by the two countries’ shared history”
By Mulako Dean Mukelabai, PhD Student, Loughborough University Zambia, like many African countries, is facing a crisis over clean cooking fuel. Over 80% of the population still relies on polluting fuels like charcoal and firewood. This exposes families to toxic indoor air, deepens poverty and gender inequality, drives deforestation, and adds to climate change. Globally, … Continue reading “study suggests how to fix this”
By Geoff Beattie, Professor of Psychology, Edge Hill University Donald Trump’s latest forthright outburst was made as part of his attempts to create a peace deal with Iran and Israel. “I’m not happy with Israel,” he told reporters on June 24. “We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard … Continue reading “a psychologist explains why the president makes fast and furious statements”
By Simin Fadaee, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Manchester Israel’s recent surprise attack on Iran was ostensibly aimed at neutralising Iran’s nuclear programme, but it didn’t just damage nuclear installations. It killed scientists, engineers and senior military personnel. Meanwhile, citizens with no ties to the government or military, became “collateral damage”. For 11 days, … Continue reading “Iran’s history has been blighted by interference from foreign powers”
By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra It looks, at least for now, as though tensions in the Middle East are easing somewhat. It appears much less likely Iran will try to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which flows about a fifth of the world’s oil. In response, oil prices … Continue reading “Wild swings in the oil price make the Reserve Bank’s job harder”
By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University After 12 days of war, US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran that would bring to an end the most dramatic, direct conflict between the two nations in decades. Israel and Iran both agreed to adhere to the ceasefire, though they … Continue reading “Will the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel hold? One factor could be crucial to it sticking”
By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University After 12 days of war, US President Donald Trump has announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran that would bring to an end the most dramatic, direct conflict between the two nations in decades. Israel and Iran both agreed to adhere to the ceasefire, though … Continue reading “Iran and Israel agree to a fragile ceasefire. One factor could be crucial to it sticking”