Author: Ella Parkin
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An End in Sight?: Washington’s Gaza Peace Plan
-Will the 20 point peace plan bring stability to the Middle East? -The peace deal represents a historic opening for de-escalation in the Israel–Palestine conflict. However, this opportunity is extremely fragile because the agreement’s success depends on its implementation. -While the agreement offers a framework for stability and a possible end to decades of hostility,…
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What Sanctions Relief Means for Syria’s Future
The easing of sanctions in 2025 offers Syria something it hasn’t had in over a decade: a genuine opening. Financial systems are reconnecting, investors are circling, and humanitarian groups finally have fewer bureaucratic barriers to work around. Yet this opportunity is fragile. Sanctions relief is a tool – not a guarantee. If Syria’s new rulers…
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An American and an Arab Plan for the Gaza Strip
What do these two plans entail, and what do they mean for the future of Palestine and its citizens? The two proposals for Gaza—Trump’s vision of transforming it into a luxury resort and Egypt’s reconstruction plan—offer different plans for the future of the Palestinian territory. In contrast, the Egyptian-led proposal prioritises the rebuilding of critical…
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The Fall of Assad: A Turning Point for Development
What do the evolving events in Syria mean for local and regional development? Bashar al-Assad’s downfall marks a critical juncture that must precede institutional change for economic, political and social progress to take root in Syria and the Middle East. While much remains uncertain, it is important that the existing institutions are dismantled to create…