The fall of Israeli and American strategy – Middle East Monitor

As belly dancing becomes popular worldwide, young Egyptian dancers like Safy Akef and Safaa Saeed strive to reclaim its cultural significance at home, countering decades of stigma. Led by choreographer Amie Sultan, they aim to restore respect for the art form, promote its roots, and seek UNESCO recognition, while challenges remain in gaining acceptance within conservative society. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Young Egyptian belly dancers are working hard to make their art...

The UN urged Israel to facilitate humanitarian access to Gaza amid reports of one in five people facing severe hunger due to operational constraints. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric highlighted the need for fuel to sustain critical services, condemned civilian casualties from Israeli attacks, and noted ongoing international calls for a ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in over 56,500 Palestinian deaths since October 2023. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: The United Nations...

An Algerian court is set to rule on a prosecutor's appeal to double Boualem Sansal's prison sentence from five to ten years for comments deemed offensive to Algeria's sovereignty. This case has heightened tensions between Algeria and France, with diplomatic calls for mercy and concerns over Sansal's health amid his ongoing imprisonment and criticism of his support for Israel. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: An Algerian court will decide on Tuesday whether to...

President Trump has lifted US sanctions against Syria, aiming to reintegrate the country into the global economy after the fall of the Assad regime. While this move is seen as a step toward stability, sanctions remain on certain individuals, and Syria is still designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, complicating foreign investment. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: President Trump ended some rules that made it hard for Syria to trade and get...

UN Conference Highlights Grim Projections Due to US Aid CutsA study published in The Lancet warns that over 14 million vulnerable people, including 4.5 million children, could die due to the Trump administration's drastic cuts to USAID funding, which has historically prevented 91 million deaths since 2001. The report emphasizes that these funding reductions, now echoed by other major donors, could have consequences comparable to a global pandemic, underscoring the urgent need for increased aid...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit the White House next week for talks with President Trump amid increasing U.S. pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza, following Trump's hopes for a truce within a week. The conflict, which began with Hamas's attack on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties, with Israel's offensive leading to over 56,000 deaths in Gaza, predominantly civilians. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin...