In this week’s episode of the Middle East Weekly podcast, we discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, where over 1,000 people have been killed in 2 weeks and 400,000 families are living under siege, as Bashar al Assad’s forces attack the rebel-held city.

BY EKRAM IBRAHIM When President Donald Trump declared in December that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, many observers heard a death knell for Palestinian hopes that Jerusalem would serve as the future capital of an independent state. But in reality, aspirations for an Arab Jerusalem died long before – […]

A 2017 deal between Libya and Italy, which attempted to stem the flow of migrants from Libya to Europe, demonstrates the lucrative opportunities that insecurity offers for non-state armed groups, as well as the difficulty of divorcing militia engagement in criminal activities from ideological battles in Libya’s civil war.

As Israeli control over Jerusalem crystallizes, the likelihood that the city can act as the capital of future Israeli and Palestinian states recedes rapidly. Increasingly, peacemakers and politicians are being forced to consider more creative solutions—and many are looking to the past for inspiration.

In an increasingly anti-globalist era, what role might cities play in strengthening global governance? Jorel Chan examines three ways cities increase global connectivity, showing through the example of Singapore how cities are well-positioned to advance innovative solutions in the face of complex global governance challenges.

Abstract: Prisons that have policies refusing to treat inmates suffering from gender dysphoria violate the inmates’ Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments rights against cruel and unusual punishment and discrimination. Examples of cruel and unusual punishment include prison officials’ failure to continue cancer treatment for inmates, deciding to offer cheaper and less effective treatments, and refusing medical […]

BY JAKE VIOLA It took six minutes for one man’s evil to end 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In our young people who mobilized afterwards, we see courage personified. Because of them, this time it might be different. Because of them, we hear President Trump – a fierce defender […]

In our first story on this week’s episode we discuss the history of corruption charges against Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders. Next, we discuss the Turkish military’s attack on a Syrian convoy heading to reinforce YPG forces in Afrin. Finally, we discuss an underreported story of U.S. strikes killing hundreds of Russian mercenaries in Syria. If you want more information on any of these stories check out the articles we recommend below.

BY MATT MCDOLE In the wake of another mass shooting, America is talking about gun control again. It’s been uplifting to see the determined young Parkland students speaking out. They have organized nationwide walkouts, bussed their classmates 450 miles to Tallahassee to petition the state legislature, and confronted lawmakers at a nationally televised town hall. […]

The rise of English usage at home and proliferation of non-Tamil Indian languages have raised questions about Tamil’s relevance in today’s Singapore. Bhargav Sri Ganesh reminds us of the importance of the language, and makes a number of recommendations to strengthen Tamil’s position in Singapore.

Dr. Ali Ahmad, Director of the Energy Policy and Security in the Middle East Program at the American University of Beirut, talks with JMEPP editor Mariya Ilyas about the Middle East’s energy needs, including the possibility of nuclear power. This talk is part of the Inside the Middle East Q&A Series.

Walt Disney himself made a research trip to Latin America, named the Goodwill Tour.  At the behest of the Roosevelt Administration in 1941, Disney and a team of artists and animators traveled to several Latin American countries to draw inspiration for filmmaking. The culmination of their efforts produced several WWII-era films, including Los Tres Caballeros. […]