Middle East

Can Iran Kick Its Oil Addiction? – Djavad Salehi Isfahani Pt. 2/2
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Can Iran Kick Its Oil Addiction? – Djavad Salehi Isfahani Pt. 2/2

ByTalia Baroncelli

In part two, economist Djavad Salehi-Isfahani outlines what’s necessary for Iran to have a just energy transition and sustainable future. Salehi-Isfahani urges a reversal of destructive U.S. sanctions in order for Iran to better tap into its highly-educated workforce. He also argues that Iran is in a much more advantageous position to move away from its oil-export model, especially when compared to other oil-producing Gulf countries. 

How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare – Djavad Salehi-Isfahani Pt. 1/2
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How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare – Djavad Salehi-Isfahani Pt. 1/2

ByTalia Baroncelli

U.S. President Trump has extended the aims of his first presidential term’s “maximum pressure campaign” by slapping additional sanctions on Iran. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, Professor of Economics at Virginia Tech, describes the detrimental effects of U.S. sanctions on Iran’s economy and society. Salehi-Isfahani illustrates how the sanctions’ differentiated effects often result in them being “invisible” to certain segments of Iranian society, leaving some Iranians convinced that their government is solely to blame for the country’s economic woes. In addition, he asserts that the combined effects of U.S. sanctions and Iran’s policy choices continue to hollow out the Iranian middle class: while the government has assisted the poor with large direct cash transfer programs, it has largely ignored the demands of its middle class. 

How South Africa’s Coal Exports to Israel Undermines Its Palestine Solidarity – Patrick Bond Pt. 2/2
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How South Africa’s Coal Exports to Israel Undermines Its Palestine Solidarity – Patrick Bond Pt. 2/2

ByTalia Baroncelli

In part two, political economist Patrick Bond outlines the activities of Glencore and other South African energy corporations which continue to ship coal to Israel’s electricity grid. Despite the historic efforts of South Africa to bring a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, as well as its involvement in the Hague Group to demand enforcement of international rulings on Israel’s unlawful occupation, Bond discusses South African policies and crony capitalist transactions which ultimately undermine these Palestine solidarity initiatives. With corporations such as India’s Adani Group heavily invested in Israel’s economy, Bond exposes the contradictions in BRICS’ stance towards Israel.  

Gaza Whistleblowers: U.S. Officials Who Resigned in Protest
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Gaza Whistleblowers: U.S. Officials Who Resigned in Protest

ByThe Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy

The Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy webinar featuring three U.S. government officials who resigned in protest of American military and political support for the Israeli war on Gaza. Whistleblowers Harrison Mann, Annelle Sheline, and Alexander Smith will explain their motives for resigning, the consequences of their actions, and their views of U.S. policy in the region. The discussion will be moderated by Kelley Vlahos, senior advisor for the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Israel’s Prison Network Detains and Tortures Palestinians with Impunity – Jenna Abu Hasna

Israel’s Prison Network Detains and Tortures Palestinians with Impunity – Jenna Abu Hasna

ByTalia Baroncelli

Israeli military raids on the West Bank have intensified ever since the fragile ceasefire agreement came into effect in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli forces have killed over 70 Palestinians in the West Bank this year alone and displaced thousands from their homes. These IDF raids not only target and kill Palestinians of all ages but serve as a pretext to launch mass arrest campaigns. Jenna Abu Hasna, international advocacy officer at the Ramallah-based NGO Addameer, describes Israel’s longstanding practice of mass arrests in the occupied Palestinian territories. Abu Hasna outlines Israel’s systemic torture of Palestinians in Israeli jails and its widespread practice of placing Palestinians under administrative detention for months – even years – without filing formal charges. Israel’s system of mass incarceration is not only a violation of international norms but serves as a tool to dispossess Palestinians of their rights, dignity, and land. 

Despite Gaza Ceasefire, Israel Accelerates Its Annexation of the West Bank – Rami Khouri
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Despite Gaza Ceasefire, Israel Accelerates Its Annexation of the West Bank – Rami Khouri

ByTalia Baroncelli

Palestinian-American journalist Rami Khouri outlines the Israeli far-right’s longstanding opposition to Palestinian self-determination and, as he says, the very right of Palestinians to exist. Khouri discusses how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, together with President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have shredded international law at every opportunity in their genocidal slaughter and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza. Yet despite Trump’s success in pressuring Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire deal, the agreement itself is on thin ice: Israel’s resumption of strikes in Gaza could lead to an unraveling of phase two negotiations, precluding the possibility of a permanent ceasefire and ultimately of any effective Palestinian governance and statehood.  

Genocide Scholar: U.S. Policy Undermining Post-Holocaust International Law – Omer Bartov Pt. 2/2

Genocide Scholar: U.S. Policy Undermining Post-Holocaust International Law – Omer Bartov Pt. 2/2

ByTalia Baroncelli

In part two, historian and genocide scholar Omer Bartov discusses the U.S.’ gross rejection of numerous human rights organizations’ reports substantiating Israel’s genocide against Palestinians, as well as France’s comical rebuttal of the ICC arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Bartov contends that the West’s dangerous sabotage of international legal norms flies in the face of the very post-WWII edifice of international conventions established in response to the Nazi genocide of the Jews and designed to prevent state actors from committing such atrocities. He also discusses Trump’s victory, highlighting Biden/Harris’ Middle East policy as a thorn in the side of the Democratic Party, which greatly alienated young voters. 

Israel’s Elimination of Palestinians from Northern Gaza Continues with Impunity – Omer Bartov Pt. 1/2

Israel’s Elimination of Palestinians from Northern Gaza Continues with Impunity – Omer Bartov Pt. 1/2

ByTalia Baroncelli

According to recent Lebanese Health Ministry figures, Israel has killed a total of 4,047 people in Lebanon since October 2023, with 3,402 people killed in the past few months alone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared Israel’s invasion of Lebanon a political victory for his coalition of right-wing fanatics. Omer Bartov, Israeli American genocide scholar and historian, characterizes Israel’s war crimes in Lebanon as a political exercise in saber-rattling for Bibi’s domestic audience, while the IDF prioritizes the elimination of Palestinians from northern Gaza and the starvation of Gaza’s besieged population. Will the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire— now on shaky ground after numerous Israeli violations— actually hold?

U.S. Threatens ICC, Undermines International Legal Norms – Triestino Mariniello Pt. 2/2

U.S. Threatens ICC, Undermines International Legal Norms – Triestino Mariniello Pt. 2/2

ByTalia Baroncelli

In part two, Triestino Mariniello, Legal Representative of Gaza Victims at the International Criminal Court, discusses U.S. hypocrisy in accepting the ICC’s jurisdiction to issue arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin but not for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Mariniello discusses how international legal instruments, such as the ICJ rulings on the risk of Israel committing genocide in Gaza, have been effective when not subject to U.S. intervention, unlike proceedings in the UN Security Council. Whatever is left of international law, he argues, is due to the perseverance of the Global South in pursuing justice for Palestinians. 

Gaza Victims’ Lawyer Rebuts Western Objections to ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant – Triestino Mariniello Pt. 1/2

Gaza Victims’ Lawyer Rebuts Western Objections to ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant – Triestino Mariniello Pt. 1/2

ByTalia Baroncelli

Following the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor’s release of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Germany, France, and the U.S. falsely characterized the warrants as inapplicable. International lawyer Triestino Mariniello, who represents Gaza Victims at the ICC, explains the legal obligation of state parties to the Rome Statute to enforce these arrest warrants. Mariniello exposes the U.S.’ false statements around the ICC’s supposed lack of jurisdiction over the State of Palestine and Israeli nationals.

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