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The question of recognizing Palestine as a state has been debated for decades. Despite extensive discussion, many Western countries have yet to take formal steps toward official recognition. While approximately 146 countries already recognize Palestine as a state, it still lacks universal official status. In this blog post, I will explore why the issue of Palestinian statehood has resurfaced so prominently in recent weeks. We’ll also examine the arguments for and against formal recognition by major players such as Canada, the UK, France, and Germany — as well as why the United States remains opposed. WHAT IS PALESTINE? Palestine is often understood as a geographic region in the Middle East, but its political definition is more complex. Today, the term typically refers to the Palestinian territories—the West Bank and Gaza Strip—areas that have long been central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These regions are home to millions of Palestinians who share a distinct national identity,...

Since last week, global attention has been gripped by the rapidly escalating crisis in the Middle East. Israel’s unprecedented strike on Iranian nuclear facilities has raised urgent questions: Will this conflict spiral into a broader regional war? Will the United States be drawn in? And what role might Russia play, given its close ties with Tehran? But in this blog post, I want to shift the focus. Rather than speculate on what may unfold in the Middle East, I want to examine how this development could impact the ongoing war in Ukraine. For those of us in Europe, it's crucial that we don’t lose sight of the conflict unfolding on our doorstep—even as new crises emerge elsewhere. THE EVENTS IN IRAN We discussed this briefly in our last post on asymmetric warfare. Basically, on 13th June 2025, 61 days after Trump's ultimatum to Iran to come to the negotiating table, Israel launched Operation "Rising Lion". This was a large-scale, coordinated Israeli military operation tar...

On the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, we reflect on the profound impact this tragic event has had on the region. The conflict has deeply affected the political, security, and social landscapes, with countless civilians on both sides enduring suffering from famine, disease, and loss. The conflict, which began with the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 others by Hamas, has ignited what could become a significant escalation in Middle Eastern tensions. In this blog post, we will explore the events that unfolded, Israel’s response, and the broader ramifications for the region. We will also consider the potential implications for the war in Ukraine, given the shared alliances between these nations.      HOW DID IT START In the early hours of October 7, 2023, the militant group Hamas launched a massive, coordinated attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The as...

In the complex and tumultuous landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one organization stands prominently at the forefront: Hamas, formally known as the Islamic Resistance Movement. This group exerts a considerable influence in the Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this enduring conflict, it is imperative to delve into Hamas's identity, organizational structure, motivations for its actions against Israel, and the methods it employs.  This blog post aims to illuminate these aspects while also providing insights into Israel's perspective and how the current conflict will develop in the near future. WHO IS HAMAS? Hamas, or Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyyah in Arabic, emerged amid the turmoil of the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, in 1987. Deeply rooted in Palestinian soil, Hamas has evolved into a multifaceted entity that combines both political and militant dimensions. Unli...