Maissam Nimer
The spectacular fall of the Syrian regime comes with high expectations on refugee return. But we should meet such expectations with caution. Only a week ago, secondary displacement from Lebanon to Syria was being framed – wrongly – as 'voluntary return'. Maissam Nimer and Nora Stel warn that uncertain times lie ahead for displaced Syrians. Read more
Hager Ali
The war in Sudan has passed the five-month mark, and peace efforts seem to have plateaued. Breaking down Sudan’s political system and transition since 2019, Hager Ali explains how defective interim governance enabled the violent power struggle between the country’s largest armed forces. She argues that past political systems could still undermine present peace efforts […] Read more
Katharina Natter
Throughout 2023 Tunisia's immigration policies have made headlines, with authoritarian President Saied’s xenophobic speech, a new EU-Tunisia migration deal, and repeated protests condemning violence against Black migrants. But authoritarianism doesn’t inevitably result in increased migrant rights violations. Nor, however, does democratisation guarantee improved rights, as Katharina Natter shows Read more
Stella Gerani
The Central Mediterranean is the main migratory route to the EU, with most irregular migrants coming from Syria, Afghanistan and Turkey. Stella Gerani examines the critical role played by Turkey in this migration crisis, and how domestic and foreign policy are driving its approach – and its double standards Read more
Maria Gloria Polimeno
EU independence from Russia's fossil fuels is predicated on a defence of democratic principles. Yet, argues Maria Gloria Polimeno, a moral contradiction in policy is emerging as EU member states seeks other suppliers. This highlights the need for a sustainable green transition in EU energy supplies Read more
Hager Ali
A military coup on 25 October put an abrupt end to Sudan’s fragile democratic transition. Hager Ali argues that although the coup pre-empted a foreseeable power-transfer, the military also created a much bigger problem for itself. The same socio-political conditions that kept al-Bashir in power for decades now threaten the military’s capacity to govern Read more
Hager Ali
Over recent weeks, Western pundits have been quick to claim recent events in Tunisia are evidence of a ‘failed democracy experiment’. But Hager Ali and Ameni Mehrez argue that the protests are more a testament to democratic resilience than failure Read more
The Loop
Cutting-edge analysis showcasing the work of the political science discipline at its best.
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