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The Abraham accords signed in Washington in September 2020, a series of joint normalization statements between Israel the UAE and Bahrain followed by Morocco in December 2020, were a game changer in the Middle East. Those Accords provide the pathway to the end of the Arab Israeli conflict and a future of peace, tolerance and opportunity in the Middle East and around the world. Those accords proved that there is a new way for negotiations in the Middle East. One could have been surprised that the EU was not engaged in the Accords when signed. The fact that Europeans believe in the two-state solution as the only solution and the fact that the American President Donald Trump was behind the Accords made Europe skeptical to the Accords. But reality made the difference: The war in Ukraine brought its challenges and Iran's interference in the conflict (supplying drones to Russian's army) provoked a real concern in Europe. The Iranian nuclear program seemed again a threat to the west and not only to Israel and Gulf countries. conflict management played a role. This paper depicts how Europe went from skepticism to engagement concerning the Abraham Accords. Geo-political interests were clear: geopolitical realignment, a great potential for Africa and energy and food supply potential in connection to those Accords. Furthermore, cooperation as well as development in foreign affairs played a role in Europeans' choice. Keywords: Abraham Accords, Israeli-Arab conflict, cooperation, international relations, Introduction Geopolitics is an essential factor in international affairs. Hence in order to understand our study one cannot detach it from regional changes occurring in the region. And that is [...]

This article aims to analyze Turkiye's humanitarian diplomacy and development cooperation strategies toward Africa within a theoretical and conceptual framework, assessing their impact and significance on the continent. The research problem addresses how Turkiye's unique approach, which integrates historical ties, cultural interactions, and development efforts, distinguishes it from other global and regional actors. The arguments presented highlight that Turkiye's humanitarian diplomacy strategy, based on mutual benefit and sustainable development goals, has effectively enhanced its positive image and influence in Africa. The hypothesis posits that Turkiye's humanitarian diplomacy and development cooperation efforts have strengthened its position as a humanitarian actor on the continent and contributed to achieving sustainable development goals. The findings suggest that the country's activities in healthcare, education, agriculture, and socio-cultural fields have created significant impacts, improving local communities' living conditions and fostering sustainable development. Furthermore, Turkiye's distinct approach, unlike traditional Western policies, is characterized by an emphasis on mutual interdependence and cooperation, positioning it as a reliable partner in Africa. Keywords: Africa, Turkiye, Diplomacy, Soft Power, Humanitarian Diplomacy, Introduction Turkiye's approach to Africa, particularly through its humanitarian diplomacy, distinguishes it from other regional and global actors. This approach has a unique narrative that Turkiye utilizes to enhance its [...]

The potential and problems in Africa have attracted the attention of several actors, including Turkiye, to the continent. This article aims to contribute to the debates surrounding this interest by analyzing common characteristics of Africa-oriented policies. In particular, this analysis focuses on the key parameters that shaped Turkiye's initiatives through a historical perspective. We argue that the Turkish policy toward Africa revolves around several concepts. Our analysis of Turkiye's Africa policy decision-making is structured around several guiding principles: a bipartisan approach, maintaining an autonomous policy, a rational and pragmatic approach, as well as mutual affirmation. To examine policy priorities across different periods, primary sources such as parliamentary minutes, election programs, and diplomats memoirs were analyzed, alongside periodicals from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consistent principles of Turkiyes Africa policy include bipartisan support across governments, autonomous decision-making, and a rational, pragmatic focus on economic diplomacy. Mutual recognition and respect for African sovereignty have also been essential, resulting in a positive reception and growing partnerships with African nations. Keywords: Turkiye, Africa, Turkish Foreign Policy, Turkiye's Africa Policy, Africa Opening Policy, Introduction The debate about the African continent is heating up in world politics, particularly regarding economic and human potential as well as political, humanitarian and environmental problems. Increasing population, comparatively [...]

This article examines the tools which the Russian Federation, as a master of influencing operations and unconventional political warfare, currently utilises in West Africa to strengthen its political, economic, military, and diplomatic ties with Sahelian countries, thereby altering the geopolitical balance and pushing out the so-called West from its historical sphere of influence. The research focuses on the case of the Republic of Mali, where a few years of efficient implementation of these tools led to the withdrawal of the Western Bloc, and the re-emergence of the Russian Federation. The article not only explains what happened in Mali and the Sahel that caused the re-emergence of Russia and the ousting of the Western Bloc, but also focuses on the question of how exactly this happened, what means and instruments were utilised by Russia to make these events happen, and discusses possible implications of these events for the Western states. The research findings can be used to detect the indicators of the use of Russian instruments of influence to achieve its political goals in other parts of the Sahel and Africa, as well as in other environments like Ukraine or Europe. Keywords: Russia, Sahel, Influence operations, Information warfare, Information-psychological warfare, Africa, influence operations, hybrid warfare, geopolitics, 1. Introduction The history of colonialism has led to a longstanding dominance of the Western Bloc, particularly France, in the Sahel and Maghreb regions. West African countries, including those in [...]

Keywords: October 7; Israel; Hamas; Middle East and North Africa region (MENA); Ashkenazi Jews; Mizrahi Jews; Zionism; Jewish nationalism; colonialism; Palestinian nationalist narrative; Arab nationalism; Western imperialism; Postcolonialism. INTRODUCTION IN [...]

A new, updated checklist of the bryophytes of Algeria was compiled from the literature. Reports were made mainly by French botanists in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries and include a total of 498 taxa, of which 477 are at species level and the rest are at infraspecific rank. It comprises three hornwort species, 118 liverwort taxa (113 species), and 377 moss taxa (361 species). For each taxon, literature records and localities explored in the country are provided. The analysis of the current data reveals that Algeria is the Maghreb country with the second-largest number of bryophyte taxa, behind Morocco. As in other Mediterranean countries, hornworts and liverworts are scarce (24.3%), and mosses are dominant (75.7%). Concerning liverworts and hornworts, the family Ricciaceae and genus Riccia (31 taxa) are the best-represented; the aquatic and ephemeral genus Riella (8 taxa) shows the higher number of species in the Mediterranean countries. Regarding mosses, the family Pottiaceae is the largest one, with 107 taxa (28.4% of the moss taxa), and Tortula (22 taxa) is the most species-rich genus. Algeria has, by now, the lowest species/km2 ratio (0.20 × 10-3) compared to the rest of the Maghreb and some European Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, and Spain), due not only to the low degree of knowledge of the bryophyte flora but also to the larger surface area of the country and the great extension of the Saharan region. The high percentages of rare or very rare taxa (72.5%) versus the low percentages of frequent, common, and very common (27.5%) can be an indicator that many areas are still underexplored, and that the bryophyte flora of the country cannot be considered well-known. The revision or collection of new samples of some rare or doubtful taxa would be necessary to assess the reliability of some reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine energy poverty’s determinants in Africa across 36 countries spanning 2000 to 2020. Using fractional regression models, it analyzed how factors such as economic growth, unemployment rates, foreign direct investment, and demographic profiles influence urban and rural access to electricity. The findings highlight the positive impact of economic growth and a larger elderly population on electricity access. Conversely, higher unemployment rates consistently hinder access. Surprisingly, while foreign direct investment improves urban electricity access, it does not show the same effect in rural areas. These insights are vital for governments and stakeholders, guiding the development of energy policies. To alleviate energy poverty, especially in remote regions, policy interventions should focus on income subsidies and boosting employment opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oases are vulnerable ecosystems that are affected by climate change. Using high-resolution climate models focusing on northern Africa, we investigate the changes in the agrosystems of oases. Projected air temperature changes under an extreme global warming scenario are statistically significant for all oases studied, with an increase of up to 4–4.5 °C by the end of the century. The impact of the projected warming is likely to lead to an increased groundwater demand, with a parallel trend in reduced precipitation. Combined, these processes endanger the long-term socio-economic prospect of oases.

By Hae Won Jeong Routledge, 2022, 204 pages, $52.95, ISBN: 9781003092100 The author of the book, Hae Won Jeong, explains how the Republic of Korea (South Korea) pursues diplomacy in [...]