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2901. Understanding Different Perspectives on International Relations in MENA (Session 1)

Author:
Peter Krause
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Video
Institution:
MIT Center for International Studies
Abstract:
Understanding Different Perspectives on International Relations in MENA: U.S. Foreign Policy under Trump An online mini course for the MIT community with Peter Krause (PhD '11). Krause is an associate professor of political science at Boston College and a research affiliate with the MIT Security Studies Program. This webinar is hosted by the MIT-MENA program at the MIT Center for International Studies. About the speaker: Peter Krause is an associate professor of political science at Boston College. His research and teaching focus on international security, Middle East politics, terrorism and political violence, nationalism, and rebels and revolution. He currently teaches courses on Middle East politics, terrorism and political violence, research methods, and international relations. He is a faculty associate in the International Studies Program and the Islamic Civilization and Societies Program at Boston College, as well as a research affiliate with the MIT Security Studies Program.
Topic:
International Relations, Foreign Policy, Geopolitics, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:
Middle East, North America, and United States of America

2902. Balancing the Grid and the Good: Ethically Navigating Nigeria's Energy Transition

Author:
Sicile Naddeo-Gjergji, Humnah Poonawalla, and Amrita Sahu
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, Princeton University
Abstract:
This brief examines Nigeria as a critical case for the global energy transition. As one of Africa’s largest fossil-fuel producers and most rapidly growing economies, Nigeria must reconcile the need to expand reliable energy access with the moral imperative to decarbonize. The authors propose pathways for equitable grid modernization, off- grid innovation, and international partnership.
Topic:
Climate Change, Ethics, Fossil Fuels, Decarbonization, and Energy Transition
Political Geography:
Africa and Nigeria

2903. Fault, Responsibility, and Justice: Ethical Solutions to Economic Losses in the Energy Transition

Author:
Preston Ferraiuolo, Mikhail Perminov, Kate Voltz, and Joyce Yang
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, Princeton University
Abstract:
The final brief widens the lens on climate policy by examining the ethical obligations owed to workers and communities disproportionately harmed by decarbonization. Drawing on distributive, recognition, and procedural justice, the authors develop a roadmap for equitable climate action that strengthens democratic legitimacy rather than eroding it.
Topic:
Climate Change, Economics, Democracy, Ethics, Legitimacy, and Energy Transition
Political Geography:
Global Focus

2904. The Ethics of Externalization in the United Kingdom and Denmark

Author:
Cooper Austen, Noah Eshaghpour-Silberman, Aidan Gouley, and Alexa Marsh
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, Princeton University
Abstract:
Focusing on the UK’s Rwanda plan and Denmark’s extra-territorial processing legislation, this brief examines whether externalizing asylum procedures can ever meet ethical and legal standards. It introduces the “Ethical Ability to Accept” test as a tool for evaluating state capacity, human rights protections, and integration prospects in receiving countries.
Topic:
Human Rights, Ethics, Migration Policy, Asylum Seekers, and Externalization
Political Geography:
United Kingdom, Europe, Denmark, and Rwanda

2905. Fairness and Safety for Asylum Seekers: Assessing the “Remain in Mexico” (MPP) Policy

Author:
Harrison Fintz, Abigail Leibowitz, and Ila Prabhuram
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, Princeton University
Abstract:
This brief evaluates the MPP program through an ethical lens emphasizing safety, fairness, due process, and burden sharing. It proposes concrete reforms for any future iteration: enforcement guidelines, safety reporting, expedited processing, legal support, and cross-border cooperation.
Topic:
International Cooperation, Borders, Immigration Policy, and Asylum Seekers
Political Geography:
South America, North America, Mexico, and United States of America

2906. Beyond Its Wildest Dreams: Israel’s Campaign for Geo-Strategic Dominance in the Middle East

Author:
Richard Silverstein
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
Not since the Roman conquest of the Middle East has any power imposed itself so thoroughly through military dominance as Israel has in the past three years. It has, during that period, achieved sweeping regional hegemony over virtually all of its neighbors. This is the realization of a decades-old objective Israeli leaders have long coveted, but never dared imagine. Even amidst multi-state wars with its Arab frontline neighbors in 1956 and 1973, it only sought limited objectives (the 1948 and 1967 wars may be seen as exceptions). After multiple attacks over the past year on Iran and its regional Axis of Resistance, Israel has in effect redrawn the geo-strategic map. When Syrian rebels toppled Bashar al Assad and cut off Iranian weapons transshipments to Hezbollah, Israel exploited this opportunity to degrade the latter through repeated attacks against it. First, it severely wounded thousands of Hezbollah’s fighters through pager mass explosions. Then it wiped out its long-time leader and an icon of resistance, Hassan Nasrallah, along with his named successor and others in senior leadership. More recently, it invaded Lebanon and now occupies a considerable portion of the south. In addition, the IDF has eradicated many of the villages and destroyed much of the civilian infrastructure there, rendering it virtually uninhabitable. Hezbollah seems, at least for the time being, to be a spent force. Unlike Israel’s past invasions of Lebanon and its 20-year (1982-2002) occupation of Hezbollah’s southern strongholds, which were met with fierce resistance, its more recent incursion has generated little conflict.
Topic:
Hezbollah, Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Armed Conflict, Strategic Interests, and Regional Politics
Political Geography:
Iran, Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon

2907. Israel and Iran: Major Threats to Middle East Stability

Author:
Erwin van Veen
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
For years, Iran has been accused of being the primary source of instability in the Middle East by much of the West, Israel, and a number of Arab states. One point of conflagration is that it maintains a network of armed groups across the region (the “Axis of Resistance”) which it deploys to attack other states in the area, such as Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. The second is that it continues to develop an increasingly sophisticated ballistic missile arsenal, which was brought to bear against the Kurdish areas of Iraq, Pakistan and Israel earlier this year. Iran is also criticized for supporting the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (until December 2024). Furthermore, Western and Arab countries believe that Iran has violated article III of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by enriching uranium beyond the 20% threshold for civilian use. However, perceptions of Tehran as the main agent of regional instability have shifted in the Middle East and beyond during the past 22 months. A growing number of experts and organizations say Israel is committing more and more war crimes in Gaza, including genocide, and launching an unprecedented series of military campaigns.
Topic:
International Law, Armed Conflict, and Regional Stability
Political Geography:
Iran, Middle East, and Israel

2908. Caught in the Crossfire: Jordan’s Balancing Act in the Iran-Israel Conflict

Author:
Francesca Maria Lorenzini and Kourosh Ziabari
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
Jordan’s defensive action to intercept Iran’s retaliatory drones and missiles, slashing through its skies in mid-June, has drawn both approval and criticism, underscoring the kingdom’s struggles to balance strategic alliances with public opinion.
Topic:
Defense Policy, Public Opinion, Drones, Alliance, Armed Conflict, and Strategic Alliances
Political Geography:
Iran, Israel, Palestine, and Jordan

2909. Journalism in Peril: The Gaza Genocide as a Global Test of Press Freedom

Author:
Mohamed Salama, Shahira S. Fahmy, Mona Rafaat Alsaba, and Saif Shahin
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
In Gaza, it isn’t only civilians that are being laid to ruin; the freedom to tell the story of its people is being muzzled by successive Israeli strikes targeting and killing Palestinian journalists
Topic:
Genocide, Journalism, Civilians, Armed Conflict, and Freedom of Press
Political Geography:
Middle East, Palestine, and Gaza

2910. What Palestinian Statehood Must Mean to Mean Anything

Author:
Omar Auf
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
As more governments prepare to recognize Palestine this September, the gesture risks being performative unless matched with concrete policies such as sanctions and legal obligations, and a decolonial vision of statehood that challenges occupation at its roots
Topic:
Sanctions, Decolonization, Statehood, Palestinians, and Recognition
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

2911. Confederative Futures and the Burden of Leadership in Israel/Palestine

Author:
Klara Vlahčević Lisinski
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
The pathway to recognition of Palestinian Statehood does not require the world’s approval through the raising of 192 flags; rather, it requires convincing “one state only—the state of Israel”
Topic:
Leadership, Occupation, Statehood, and Confederalism
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, and Palestine

2912. Israel is Erasing Palestine and the West is Complicit

Author:
Nour Odeh
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
The genocide unfolding in the Gaza Strip has allowed Israel to speed up its takeover and ethnic cleansing of the occupied West Bank in stealth mode
Topic:
Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, Settlements, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Gaza, and West Bank

2913. The Double Genocide in Gaza

Author:
Gregory H. Stanton
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Cairo Review of Global Affairs
Institution:
School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, American University in Cairo
Abstract:
Israel’s disproportionate response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 massacre includes genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Topic:
Genocide, Armed Conflict, Palestinians, October 7, and 2023 Gaza War
Political Geography:
Middle East, Israel, Palestine, and Gaza

2914. Kuwait Country Report 2024

Author:
Arab Barometer
Publication Date:
05-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Arab Barometer
Abstract:
Since the last Arab Barometer survey in Kuwait, conducted in 2022, major changes have taken place, significantly affecting political stability in the country. While political life in Kuwait was saturated with crises, and its indicators were clearly visible in the dissolution of the National Assembly (Parliament) repeatedly before completing its term, the shifts, changes, and political instability that dominated the public arena, between late 2022 and the current period of 2024, included even more severe events. Kuwait faced the unconstitutional dissolution of the National Assembly and the suspension of some articles in the constitution, now for the third time in Kuwait’s history. The first two such crises were in 1967 and 1986. To summarize the events that took place from June 2022 until the dissolution of the Parliament and the suspension of the constitution in May 2024, they are as follows: On August 3, 2022, the National Assembly was dissolved constitutionally, in response to the sit-in of a number of MPs inside the Parliament and their overnight stay there. The Crown Prince (the current Emir) gave a speech in which he emphasized adherence to the constitution, and also presented initiatives in electoral reform. He emphasized that the government would not vote for the candidate for the speaker of the National Assembly, and that the elections would be through the national ID card (effectively changing electoral circuits). The protesting MPs considered these reforms a victory. As a result, Ahmed al-Nawaf was appointed Prime Minister
Topic:
Corruption, Education, Environment, Gender Issues, Health, Migration, Governance, Democracy, Economy, Discrimination, Institutions, Labor Market, Freedom, and Political System
Political Geography:
Middle East and Kuwait

2915. ASEAN’S Digital Future: Strengthening Malaysia’s Leadership in Submarine Cable Governance and IMO Advocacy

Author:
Raaga Manjari Annathurai
Publication Date:
10-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Maritime Institute of Malaysia
Abstract:
As Malaysia assumes the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship in 2025, its leadership comes at a crucial time when digital infrastructure and connectivity are more critical than ever. This coincides with Malaysia’s role in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2024–2025 term, reinforcing its commitment to maritime and digital governance on both regional and global scales. Among the many priorities under Malaysia’s chairmanship, ensuring the resilience, security, and efficient governance of submarine cables is paramount. These cables serve as the Critical Information Infrastructure (CNI) of international telecommunications, driving economic growth, digital transformation, and cross-border connectivity. Malaysia’s strategic geographical position in the region and robust regulatory framework place it in a pivotal role in spearheading efforts to enhance ASEAN’s submarine cable governance and regional connectivity. As home to some of the busiest submarine cable routes in the world, these undersea communication networks in the region play a crucial role in enabling seamless internet access, financial transactions, and cloud computing services. As digitalisation accelerates across the region, the demand for robust and well-protected submarine cable systems continues to rise. However, regulatory inconsistencies, environmental risks, and geopolitical tensions pose significant threats to the uninterrupted functioning of these cables. Malaysia, as the ASEAN 2025 chair, is uniquely positioned to lead regional efforts to address these challenges and establish a more harmonised regulatory framework.
Topic:
Communications, Governance, ASEAN, and Submarine Cable
Political Geography:
Malaysia and Asia

2916. Political System Preference in the Middle East & North Africa (2023-2024)

Author:
Michael Robbins
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Arab Barometer
Abstract:
Ultimately, these findings reveal a region that is still searching for the best system of governance. Citizens want dignity, but years of non-democratic rule have, in much of the region, not led to this outcome. Yet, the limited democratic experiments, as democracy is defined in the technical sense, have also not produced desired outcomes.
Topic:
Governance, Democracy, Survey, and Political System
Political Geography:
Middle East and North Africa

2917. Democracy in the Middle East & North Africa 2023-2024

Author:
Michael Robbins
Publication Date:
07-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Arab Barometer
Abstract:
Findings from Arab Barometer Wave VIII surveys make clear that while citizens across the region have come to realize democracy does not represent a panacea for all their country’s problems, they remain most supportive of it compared with other political systems.
Topic:
Politics, Public Opinion, Democracy, Citizenship, and Survey
Political Geography:
Middle East and North Africa

2918. "Reciprocal" tariffs: What are they really for?

Author:
Robert Z. Lawrence
Publication Date:
08-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)
Abstract:
This Policy Brief evaluates the evolving reasons for and application of the Trump administration’s “reciprocal” tariffs and finds them wanting. The tariffs, adjusted most recently on August 1, 2025, were originally supposed to achieve reciprocity between the United States and its trading partners but were based on a defective measure because bilateral imbalances do not necessarily indicate unfair foreign trade practices; the methodology used to estimate the reciprocal tariffs was biased towards overstatement, particularly for countries producing primary commodities, which will have high pass-through into US final prices, and for countries exporting products with high import content. Given these defects, the reciprocal tariffs are better seen as a dressed-up anchoring ploy to strengthen America’s hand in negotiations rather than credible estimates of the unfair trade practices that the United States faces. Moreover, even if reduced to 15 percent, the application of these tariffs to America’s poorest trading partners would do little to reduce the overall US trade deficit but considerably harm their economic development.
Topic:
Tariffs, Economic Development, Protectionism, and Trade Deficit
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

2919. Does a weak social safety net hold back private consumption in China?

Author:
Nicholas R. Lardy
Publication Date:
12-2025
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)
Abstract:
Many experts see China’s economy as constrained because of a weak social safety net, especially the retirement system, resulting in anemic domestic consumption spending. This view is out of date. Recent data indicate that China has expanded many parts of its social safety net and that consumption spending has accelerated. Social expenditures in China have more than doubled as a share of GDP since 2010 and are on par with Mexico and Turkey. But given China’s aging population, safety net spending and domestic consumption spending will need to expand further to put China’s economy on a more sustainable path. The latest data should clear the cobwebs of misunderstanding that have led to both complacency and unnecessary alarm about China’s economic prospects among observers in the United States and other countries. China’s government is hardly unaware of the importance of stronger household consumption and has announced policies to increase consumer spending, including more generous pension benefits for farmers and rural migrant workers. If these initiatives are implemented, the growth of household consumption is likely to accelerate.
Topic:
Government, Economic Growth, Safety Net, and Consumer Behavior
Political Geography:
China and Asia

2920. Social protection for Mozambique’s elderly: History, structure, and potential effectiveness

Author:
Sara Almeida, Hanna Berkel, Sam Jones, Patricia Justino, and Telça Massingue
Publication Date:
03-2025
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
United Nations University
Abstract:
This study assesses the effectiveness of Mozambique's flagship social pension programme, the elderly component of the Programa de Subsídio Social Básico (PSSB). Focusing on three key criteria— programme targeting, reliability, and materiality—we combine administrative data on the universe of beneficiaries with the complete records of the 2017 Population and Housing Census. Merging these datasets at the localidade level, we provide a highly granular view of programme coverage rates and payment delivery regularity. We estimate that in the best case with zero targeting errors, the PSSB-Elderly programme reaches two-thirds of its target group. However, significant regional disparities persist, including undercoverage in poorer regions. Additionally, we document substantial delays in payments since 2023, as well as various inaccuracies in the beneficiary registry. These findings underscore the importance of simple and robust designs for social protection in resource-constrained contexts. They also suggest that expanding programme coverage towards a quasi-universal subsidy in high-poverty locations merits serious consideration.
Topic:
Poverty, Pension, Coverage Gaps, Payment Delays, and Program Targetng
Political Geography:
Africa and Mozambique