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Israel-Hamas war

June 19, 2026

How precision weapons make civilian suffering the point

Marius Bales Marius Bales and Max Mutschler argue that precision weapons do not protect civilians. Indeed, in autocratic systems, they can make civilian suffering more targeted. In eroding democracies such as Israel and the US, weakening checks on executive power may also loosen military restraint Read more
January 27, 2026

🔮 How left-wing populism replaces security threats: Jean Luc Mélenchon on Muslims 

Ugo Gaudino Left-wing populists tend to be inclusionary and egalitarian towards ethnic minorities. But Ugo Gaudino points out that their defence of Muslim communities’ religious grievances often clashes with their secular agenda. While they may de-securitise Islam, they frame other issues and groups as urgent security threats, in line with the populist friend-versus-enemy conception of politics  Read more
October 9, 2025

Why Netanyahu has been forced to accept the US peace plan

Paul Whiteley Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted Trump's plan for peace in Gaza in principle – though he is likely to try and sabotage it. Paul Whiteley warns that this is a dangerous strategy given Netanyahu's woeful approval ratings among ordinary Israelis Read more
August 28, 2025

Middle East escalation reveals Israel’s shifting strategy 

Nadeem Ahmed Moonakal The security situation in the Middle East reflects the hard realities of power struggle and the implications of the quest for regional hegemony. Nadeem Ahmed Moonakal shows how Israel is exploiting instability to entrench dominance, while Iran’s projected restraint masks deep vulnerabilities. With the US’ ambiguous approach adding to tensions, the space for long-term stability is shrinking Read more
October 16, 2024

America’s ‘Freedom Agenda’ and its misconception of Iran’s discursive proxies in the Middle East

Loqman Radpey As we pass the anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks, it is crucial we examine the deeper roots of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The US Freedom Agenda, designed to promote democracy in the region, has instead created instability. Loqman Radpey reveals how misinterpretations of Middle Eastern dynamics pose profound challenges to peace and security. Read more
September 9, 2024

⛓️ What can political scientists do about the appalling events in Gaza and the West Bank?  

Catherine Moury One of the reasons political scientists are silent on the Israel-Gaza conflict is the fear of being marginalised by the community, writes Catherine Moury. She suggests concrete actions scholars could take to avoid normalising what she – and many fellow academics – consider is nothing short of genocide. Read more
September 4, 2024

Leftists and conservative Islamists: unlikely allies in the quest for peace in Gaza

Firuze Simay Sezgin In a world where ideological divides typically shape alliances, an unlikely partnership emerges between leftists and conservative Islamists, united in their opposition to war. This unexpected collaboration challenges conventional perceptions, writes Firuze Simay Sezgin, raising questions about the potential for dialogue and peace between seemingly irreconcilable worldviews. Read more
July 10, 2024

⛓️ ‘The case for neutrality as academic freedom’: a response

Adam Standring Political neutrality in the face of injustice serves to maintain the status quo. Responding to Hana Kubátová’s blog piece, Adam Standring underlines the moral necessity of organisations like ECPR taking a strong political stance in the face of violence in Palestine and a crackdown on critical voices in the West Read more

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THE EUROPEAN CONSORTIUM FOR POLITICAL RESEARCH
Advancing Political Science
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