Kameel Majdali's Road Ahead

At the time of writing this article, there is an uprising against the clerical regime in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is getting little attention from the international media. This is because the regime has closed down the internet, so the Iranian people cannot communicate with the outside world. In other words, it’s a complete media blackout. Iran is one of the great civilisational countries of world history. Today, it is one of the leading nations of the Middle East. It is a leader in the Islamic revolution and known for its anti-Western policies and practices, especially against the United States and Israel. It is considered the leading state sponsor of terrorism. While uprisings are not new to Iran - the last one was in 2022 - This one could go further and faster in toppling the government than the previous times. And if it doesn’t fall this time, it could pave the way for a change of regime the next time. Normally, the regime pushes back ruthlessly, and hundreds of proteste...

Its name recognition is universal, and, until recently, so was its appeal. Who can resist a family dinner with roast turkey, bread dressing, Christmas pudding, and all the trimmings?   Or going into the living room, a warm fire roaring, hot chocolate topped with marshmallows or whipped cream in the mug, while gleeful children unwrap presents found under the Christmas tree?   Or listening to the public singing of Christmas carols, with those time-honoured verses, are still able to stir the soul? Yes, Christmas still evokes much enthusiasm throughout the world, and not just in the West. Asia goes crazy over Christmas, including places like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan.   Even in ‘laid-back’ Australia, where a few even refer to it as ‘Chrissie,’ Christmas is still a very popular day off. Aussies relish the big meal, the family gathering, and, if possible, a splash at the beach while throwing ‘ another shrimp on the barbie. ’ In his best-selling book, A Christmas...

In Part 01, we learned about Donald Trump, his political comeback and how he practised his legendary dealmaking in the Middle East. We concluded by briefly assessing his interactions with regional players, particularly the Houthis of Yemen and HTS, who are currently governing war-torn Syria. We continue the regional assessment. Iran: Its nuclear program is a real worry, and while negotiation has been the understandably chosen method of dealing with it, Iran appears to be running down the clock until Trump is out of office. The Islamic Republic insists that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. But why does a nation that has ten per cent of the world’s oil reserves need a nuclear energy program? And if it is only for peaceful purposes, why do they insist on enriching uranium themselves rather than accepting enriched uranium from a second country?   So, Trump, the master negotiator, chose to negotiate with Iran directly. It did not work. So after many years of military ...

  Introduction It was a sobering scene.   Location : The plain of Moab, near the Jordan River, at the back door of the ‘Promised Land,’ near the city of Jericho.   Main character: Moses, the aged and faithful servant of God, was about to give his valedictory speech.   The audience: A large group of Israelites: the younger generation, who were born in the wilderness (‘the wilderness generation’).   The challenge: Moses would need all the God-given communication skills he could muster to reach this younger group of people who knew no other leader but him. After all, if Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II, in their 70s, could connect with younger people, why not God’s anointed prophet? The setting: It had been forty years since Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt by the power of God. The journey on foot should have taken around forty days. Yet, due to tempting God ten times (Numbers 14:22, 24-34), the days turned to years. During these forty years, the ...