Israel's military campaign in Gaza has resulted in a lockdown of the West Bank, with blocked entrances to villages and cities, increased violence, and Israeli military checkpoints disrupting the flow of goods and workers. The UN recorded 370 deaths and 477 settler attacks since the war began. The West Bank's GDP has fallen by 22%, and unemployment has risen to 30%. Over 100,000 permits for Palestinian laborers were suspended, affecting families reliant on jobs in Israel. The Palestinian Authority is struggling to pay civil servants, and the Palestinian economy is expected to continue declining. The tourism industry in Bethlehem has been severely affected, with significant job losses. The economic impact includes deflated wages, declining purchasing power, and liquidity shortages.

Following Israel's war on Gaza, several countries, including Bolivia, Belize, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Bahrain, Jordan, Turkey, Chad, and South Africa, have recalled their ambassadors or severed diplomatic relations with Israel. South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has been particularly vocal, calling for the International Criminal Court to hold Israel accountable. The article discusses the parallels drawn between Israel's occupation and South Africa's apartheid, the role of international solidarity, and the potential impact of the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. It also covers the US' stance, regional reactions, particularly from Jordan, and the limited impact of international pressure on Israeli policies.

BRICS, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will expand to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, along with Argentina and Ethiopia, starting January 2024. This move reflects a shift towards a multipolar world and the desire of these countries for greater strategic autonomy. The expansion could alter global economic dynamics, especially in oil trade, and reduce reliance on the US dollar. While the economic goals of BRICS members are aligned, their geopolitical interests vary, which may lead to future complications. The inclusion of MENA countries is seen as a step towards increased regional and global leadership, offering an alternative to Western influence. The article suggests that despite potential challenges, BRICS is moving towards a pragmatic, multipolar approach to international relations.

In Iran, women continue to resist mandatory headscarf laws despite the government's intensified crackdown and the proposed introduction of severe penalties for non-compliance. The death of Jina 'Mahsa' Amini in police custody sparked nationwide protests, which have since subsided, but many women persist in defying the hijab laws. Human rights advocates and experts highlight the ongoing struggle for women's liberation in Iran, where discriminatory laws against women prevail. Despite the risks of state reprisals, Iranian women are increasingly showing their hair in public, signaling a quiet but persistent defiance against the clerical establishment.

A recent summit in Rome, led by Italy's far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has set the stage for a new Euro-Mediterranean migration control model that prioritizes cooperation and investment to manage migratory flows and combat human trafficking, while offering financial aid to North African states to act as gatekeepers. However, this approach has been criticized for its lack of human rights conditionality, with accusations that the EU is abdicating its human rights obligations and supporting autocratic regimes. Human Rights Watch and former Tunisian MP Imen Ben Mohamed have voiced concerns over the EU's complicity in abuses against migrants and the bloc's failure to condemn deportations and border violence. The EU's strategy is seen as a shift towards externalizing its borders and using development aid as leverage for migration control, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness and ethical implications of such policies.

The UN General Assembly's resolution to establish an Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria aims to uncover the fate of over 130,000 people disappeared since the conflict began in 2011. Most are believed to be detained by Bashar al-Assad's regime. The institution will collect information from various sources and is a result of years of advocacy by victims, survivors, and relatives. Syrian activists and family-led organizations have been instrumental in pushing for this initiative, which represents a significant step towards accountability and offers a glimmer of hope for families affected by the conflict.

The article discusses the Islamic State's (ISIS) growing presence in Libya, particularly after taking control of Sirte and targeting the country's oil infrastructure. The UN Security Council has adopted resolutions demanding a ceasefire and easing the arms embargo on Libya. Despite ongoing UN-facilitated negotiations, Libya's political situation remains unresolved with two rival governments. The security vacuum has allowed ISIS to gain support from local militias and tribes, including those loyal to former dictator Gaddafi. The group's control over oil-rich areas like Sirte poses a threat to Libya's economy and foreign investments. Experts like Dr. Khaled Hanafy Aly and Gen. Nabil Fouad offer insights into the situation, with Aly suggesting that ISIS's control over oil sites could shift the power balance, while Fouad emphasizes the need for European intervention to prevent ISIS from profiting from oil sales. The article also touches on the broader implications of ISIS's presence in Libya for the region and the challenges in forming a national government amidst the turmoil.

Tunisia's early parliamentary elections witnessed a historic low turnout of 11.22%, indicating widespread political fatigue and disapproval of President Kais Saied's regime. The opposition, including the National Salvation Front, called for Saied's resignation after the mass voter boycott. Most political parties boycotted the election, accusing Saied of an undemocratic coup. The new constitution and electoral law have reduced the parliament's influence, leading to confusion among voters and apathy towards the political process. The Carter Center highlighted the Tunisian people's disillusionment with the political and economic situation. The upcoming parliament is expected to have limited powers, with Saied maintaining control over legislative decisions, signaling a shift towards autocracy.

Tunisians are responding with irony and apathy to the upcoming 17 December parliamentary elections, reflecting a lack of confidence in a system they believe was built on a coup by President Kais Saied. Saied has dissolved parliament, the Supreme Judicial Council, and issued new legislation, consolidating his power. The new electoral law weakens political parties and shifts politics towards individual candidates, which has led to a subdued electoral campaign and mockery on social media. Many citizens plan to vote for friends or family members, and twelve parties, including the Ennahda Movement, have boycotted the elections. Saied's new law also bars anyone charged with a legal violation from running and criminalizes the publication of fake news. Tunisia's economy is struggling, facing shortages and seeking a rescue package from the IMF.

Hundreds of protesters, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, rallied in central Tunis to oppose the parliamentary polls scheduled for Saturday. The National Salvation Front, including the Ennahda movement, organized the demonstration demanding the return to the constitutional process and the resignation of President Kais Saied.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Tunis on International Human Rights Day to oppose the upcoming parliamentary elections and demand President Kais Saied's resignation. The protest was organized by the National Salvation Front, which includes the moderate Islamist Ennahda movement, and called for a return to the constitutional process.

Iran's national football team displayed a gesture of solidarity with protesters in their home country during the World Cup in Qatar, choosing not to sing the national anthem before their match against England. The team's actions, along with those of fans who booed the anthem and waved 'Woman, Life, Freedom' flags, were in support of ongoing protests in Iran sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. The protests have been met with brutal responses from authorities, with at least 378 people killed. The political climate has deeply affected Iranian football, with domestic games closed to the public and players refusing to celebrate goals. The national team faced criticism for meeting with President Ebrahim Raisi and for their initial reactions to the protests, but their recent gestures in Qatar have been seen as brave and memorable.

Following the death of Malek Slimi, who was injured during a police chase, protests erupted in Tunis against police violence. The Tunisian Interior Ministry denied abuse allegations, but clashes between protesters and police led to arrests and accusations of excessive force. Human rights organizations and activists, including the Tunisian Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms and the Tunisian League for Human Rights, demand an end to impunity for the security forces. The UN has expressed concern over the police's disproportionate use of force. President Kais Saied is criticized for economic mismanagement and employing police state tactics reminiscent of former ruler Ben Ali's regime. The situation reflects ongoing social tensions and the struggle for justice in cases of police violence, such as the death of Omar Laabidi.

Tunisia's proposed constitutional draft, which centralizes power in the president's hands, has sparked debate among Tunisians ahead of a referendum set for July 25. Political parties like Ennahdha and the Free Destourian Party plan to boycott the vote, criticizing the process as flawed. President Kais Saied's supporters argue the new constitution will break from the past decade's political deadlock. Citizens express mixed feelings, with some disillusioned by the political class and others apathetic or concerned about a return to authoritarianism. The outcome of the referendum remains uncertain, with potential implications for Tunisia's democratic future.

Since the Syrian war began in 2011, Nasser Yassin has been researching the refugee crisis and its impact on Lebanon. He leads the American University of Beirut’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs and has launched a Twitter campaign to counter misconceptions about Syrian refugees with facts. His findings show that the majority of refugees are women and children, and they contribute economically through rent and consumption. The Syrian war, not refugees, has negatively impacted Lebanon's economy. Yassin aims to shift the narrative from seeing refugees as a burden to recognizing them as assets.

In Egypt, a court upheld a three-year prison sentence for writer Fatima Naoot for 'insulting religion' after criticizing the slaughter of sheep during Eid on Facebook. This is part of a broader issue where 'contempt of religion' laws are increasingly used to prosecute individuals, including minors, for perceived insults to Islam. Egyptian MP Mona Mounir is leading efforts to amend the law. Recent cases include the sentencing of four Coptic students and their teacher for a video mocking ISIS, and various others for expressing dissenting religious views. Rights organizations and political parties have condemned the harsh sentences, and there is a call for clearer legislation that respects freedom of belief and expression. The article suggests that the Egyptian judiciary has been applying conservative interpretations of the law, and there is a growing trend of 'contempt of religion' cases since the 2011 revolution.