Joe Biden
All topics-
Afghanistan
One year on, Taliban torn over reforms
One year on from the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, some cracks are opening within their ranks over the crucial question of just how much reform their leaders can tolerate.
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Biden's trip to Saudi Arabia
Trading recognition for oil
With his fist bump greeting for a man he previously called a pariah, US President Biden has paved the way for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's return to the international stage. All other items on the agenda of his Middle East trip faded into the background. By Karim El-Gawhary
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Vladmir Putin’s war in Ukraine
Why the public support in the Arab world?
Although many Arabs express sympathy for the Ukrainian people, social media reveals a current of support for Russian President Vladimir Putin that is rooted in polarisation, writes Amr Salah
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Putin’s new world order
What does the war in Ukraine mean?
Despite what heads of state may claim, the Russian attack on Ukraine is not a wake-up call for a self-confident Europe that defends its values. The war is accelerating the decline of the old continent and rousing familiar spectres from the past that never really went away. Meanwhile, the Middle East is reprising its not unfamiliar role as an under-reported fringe region. Essay by Stefan Buchen
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Saudia Arabia and the UAE
Getting Washington wrong
Analyst Iyad El-Baghdadi examines the ongoing tensions between the United States and the two Gulf states – Saudi Arabia and the UAE – and their geopolitical implications in interview with Rayyan Al-Shawaf
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Open-source on Russia's crimes
Lessons learnt in Syria help Ukraine
Researchers have spent years collecting evidence of Russian war crimes in Syria, using everything from social media to satellite images. Open-source research has evolved. Cathrin Schaer asks whether it could help bring justice to Ukraine faster
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Europe's gas supply
Reshuffling the EastMed cards
In a bid to become less dependent on Russia, Europe is seeking new sources of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean. War in the Ukraine has, however, led to new tensions over the EastMed pipeline project. By Ronald Meinardus
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Russia, Ukraine, world energy
Why the Saudis won't pump more oil
Just as Saudi Arabia refused to accommodate American requests to increase oil production last November, it is likely to refuse U.S. President Joe Biden’s request today. When the Saudis increase their production, it will be because to do so is in their own interest, writes Bernhard Haykel
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War in Ukraine
What does defending Europe mean?
Europe's double standard on refugees, exposed yet again by the war in Ukraine, is morally deaf and geopolitically dumb. Europe can only defend itself by persuading developing and emerging countries – many scarred by Western colonisation and exploitation – that it offers them better choices than Russia or China can. Commentary by Slavoj Zizek
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War in Ukraine
Stress test for the Arab world
It’s unusual for the troubled Middle East to be looking at a war in Europe. And in that unfamiliar situation, Arab nations are jostling to adopt a position on the issue – as was evidenced by the show of spectacular shilly-shallying by the wealthy United Arab Emirates in recent days. Karim El-Gawhary reports from Cairo
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America and the War on Terror
Guantanamo's "forever prisoners"
The notorious U.S. prison camp is 20 years old. Over the years, several plans to close it have been rejected. For the detainees, little has changed in the last two decades. Oliver Sallet reports from Guantanamo Bay
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Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis
End the economic blockade
As the Western world emerges from a holiday season made less festive by COVID-19, millions of children in Afghanistan are starting 2022 facing the prospect of famine, illness, and a lost education. Yet the same governments now rushing to apply humanitarian bandages to Afghanistan’s open wounds are steadfastly refusing to switch on the economic life-support systems needed to avert catastrophe. By Kevin Watkins