Reform

Iranian Heritage Under Threat From All Sides

As civil unrest spreads across Iranian cities in early January 2026 and President Trump renews warnings about military options, the country's 28 UNESCO World Heritage sites sit vulnerable to dangers from multiple directions.

Georgia’s 26% Reality: Occupied Land and Economics Makes Protest Powerless

A protest extended to the presidential palace in Tbilisi on Saturday. Five people were arrested as Georgians' demand EU accession and Russia's withdrawal.

Britain Closes Its Doors, Portugal Follows: The New Face of European Refugee Policy

Britain's freeze in September on family reunions for refugees is now echoed in Portugal through tighter residency rules that double the wait for citizenship.

The Arc de Crises: A Complete Fiscal Role Reversal

European Union placed France under formal budgetary procedures in July, whilst Italy now appears a model of fiscal restraint.

Seal of Approval: EU Delists UAE from Financial Watchlist

EU removes UAE from high-risk AML list after major financial reforms, paving way for deeper trade ties and strategic Gulf-EU cooperation.

Popular

How the Iran Ceasefire is Realigning the Gulf and Europe

US-Iran ceasefire, GCC stability, Brent oil drop, and Lebanon escalation reshape Gulf strategy and global energy markets.

Thousands March Against East London’s Igbo King

A ceremonial king's crown in a South African port city left cars burning, a country apologising, and a lesson on diaspora politics.

⁠EU Delays Fur Ban Despite 1.5M Signatures

The European Commission missed its March deadline on fur farming, leaving 1.5 million petition signatories and a collapsing industry both waiting for the same answer.

French Speech Laws Allow Rivals to Attack Opponents

France detained a sitting MEP and opened a hate-speech probe against its top news channel in the same week; French law, it turned out, had room for everyone.

Judiciary “Houthification”: How Justice Became a Security Arm in Sana’a

Houthi control of Yemen’s judiciary has politicised courts, enabling repression, biased appointments, and violations of fair trial rights writes Yemeni journalist, Mohamed Al-Karami