By Jacqueline Peel, The University of Melbourne (The Conversation) – Climate change “imperils all forms of life” and countries must tackle the problem or face consequences under international law, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has found. The court delivered its long-awaited advisory opinion overnight. The momentous case opens the door for countries impacted by […]
Understanding the Violence against Alawites and Druze in Syria after Assad
By Güneş Murat Tezcür, Arizona State University (The Conversation) – In July 2025, clashes between the Druze religious minority and Sunni Arabs backed by government-affiliated forces led to hundreds of deaths in Sweida province in southern Syria. Israel later launched dozens of airstrikes in support of the Druze. This eruption of violence was an eerie […]
Kneecap’s Support for Gaza is in an Irish Tradition of Standing with the Oppressed
By Ciara Smart, University of Tasmania (The Conversation) – Love them or hate them, there’s no doubt Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap are having a moment. Their music – delivered in a powerful fusion of English and Irish – is known for its gritty lyrics about party drugs and working-class life in post-Troubles Ireland. More recently, […]
How Electric Vehicles and Water Heaters are turning Cities into giant Batteries
By Bin Lu, Australian National University and Marnie Shaw, Australian National University (The Conversation) – As the electrification of transport and heating accelerates, many worry the increased demand could overload national power grids. In Australia, electricity consumption is expected to double by 2050. If everyone charges their car and heats water using electric systems at […]
Israel is exploiting the Vacuum left by southern Syria’s sectarian Clashes and a weak State
By Rob Geist Pinfold, King’s College London (The Conversation) – Several days of bitter sectarian fighting in the south of Syria brought the fledgling government in Damascus dangerously close to direct conflict with Israel, after Israeli warplanes launched strikes against government buildings in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on July 16. The United Nations and a […]
Green Energy and protecting Nature get the Thumbs up in Climate Change study in 68 Countries
Marina Joubert, Stellenbosch University (The Conservative) – Africa has begun experiencing frequent extreme weather events. Extreme weather is defined as the kind of heatwaves, droughts, storms and floods that have historically been rare occurrences for the place and time, and which pose a danger to large numbers of people and the economy. Marina Joubert researches […]
Solar Power: California Farmers identify a hot new Cash Crop
By Jacob Stid, Michigan State University; Annick Anctil, Michigan State University, and Anthony Kendall, Michigan State University (The Conversation) – Imagine that you own a small, 20-acre farm in California’s Central Valley. You and your family have cultivated this land for decades, but drought, increasing costs and decreasing water availability are making each year more […]
Women, Key Players in Syria’s Revolution, are being Marginalized
By Kinda Alsamara, The University of Queensland; Eleanor Gordon, Monash University, and Elliot Dolan-Evans, Monash University (The Conversation) – The end of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria in late 2024 has been broadly welcomed on the global stage – underscored by the fact the United States and European Union have now lifted sanctions against […]
Zohran Mamdani’s last Name reflects Centuries of intercontinental Trade, Migration and cultural Exchange
By Iqbal Akhtar, Florida International University (The Conversation) – When Zohran Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City, political observers noted his progressive platform and legislative record. But understanding the Democratic candidate’s background requires examining the rich cultural tapestry woven into his very surname: Mamdani. He takes the name from his father, […]