In war, scholarships offer students a lifeline to the future

Egypt – a political context

Recovery phase – Lebanon

Israeli military attacks worsen Lebanese university crises

The ongoing Israeli military attacks on Lebanon, primarily targeting Hezbollah, have severely impacted the country's higher education sector, exacerbating existing financial and economic challenges. A recent ceasefire, brokered by the United States, offers a temporary reprieve. The conflict has displaced over a million people, including students and faculty, and caused significant damage to university campuses. Despite these challenges, Lebanese universities have remained operational, adopting hybrid learning models. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, supported by UNESCO, is working to prevent the loss of the academic year. However, the financial crisis, worsened by the conflict, continues to pose significant challenges, with universities struggling to retain faculty and support students. The situation is further complicated by the risk of a brain drain as international scholarships attract Lebanese students abroad.

The English Beast Awakens: A Warning from The Second Coming

Tariq Mehmood's novel 'The Second Coming' explores a dystopian future in England where far-right militias gain power, leading to civil unrest and ethnic cleansing. The narrative warns against the dangers of nationalism and racism, drawing parallels with historical and contemporary issues. Mehmood's work is influenced by his experiences with anti-racist movements and his background in Lebanon. The novel features a diverse cast, challenging traditional imperial narratives, and emphasizes the importance of resistance and hope in the face of oppression.

Saudi Arabia’s digital dream: Silicon Valley for the Middle East

Saudi Arabia is striving to build a technological ecosystem akin to Silicon Valley, facing challenges in recreating such an environment and deciding where it can compete globally. The kingdom is navigating the US-China tech competition, with considerations around the use of Chinese technology like Huawei, amidst US export controls. Saudi Arabia has been engaging in global tech partnerships, including with Huawei and hosting the Global Tech Hub, a joint venture with Russia.

Oil price turmoil: How Saudi Arabia's $100bn gambit could backfire

In March 2020, Saudi Arabia initiated an oil price war by increasing production to 13 million barrels per day, causing a 25 percent drop in oil prices to $36 a barrel. This move, seen as a gambit against Russia and the US shale industry, could have significant economic repercussions for the global economy, including the potential to undermine Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 diversification strategy. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries face financial strain, with the IMF warning of a potential depletion of financial wealth by 2034. The price cut also aims to pressure US shale producers and exert political influence over weaker Middle Eastern states. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicates the situation, impacting oil demand and production.

Targeting the Messenger to Kill the Message

Since October 7, 46 Palestinian journalists have been killed, with at least 117 press offices destroyed or damaged. Intimidation and arrests of journalists in Gaza and Southern Lebanon by Israeli forces have created a chilling effect on media freedom. The targeting of journalists and media outlets like Al Jazeera by the US and Israel is part of a broader pattern of suppressing unfavorable coverage. The Committee to Protect Journalists has highlighted the lack of accountability for the killing of journalists by Israeli military. The article argues that the suppression of media is a tactic to control the narrative and public opinion during conflicts.

Hotel hotspot hijinks

The author describes a frustrating experience with hotel Wi-Fi requiring repeated logins through a captive portal. To solve this, they used the Perl module WWW::Mechanize to automate the login process, saving time and hassle. The article highlights the technical steps taken to implement the solution and reflects on the convenience and security implications of the hotel's Wi-Fi setup.

Do Online College Experts Have a Seat at the Strategy Table?