Conspiracy theories have taken over the internet, people seem to disagree on the very existence of the virus, let alone its origins. If anything, self-isolation appears to have increased the speed at which conspiracies spread as everyone shares and retweets any and all information regardless of the source or its credibility. However, the term ‘conspiracy theories’ has been overused in a haphazard manner that does nothing but eliminates the possibility of finding the truth. In order to understand any theory and deem it a conspiracy, one has to first grasp what the term means and why humans are so prone to believing and leaning towards them.

Conspiracy theories have taken over the internet, people seem to disagree on the very existence of the virus, let alone its origins. If anything, self-isolation appears to have increased the speed at which conspiracies spread as everyone shares and retweets any and all information regardless of the source or its credibility. However, the term ‘conspiracy theories’ has been overused in a haphazard manner that does nothing but eliminates the possibility of finding the truth. In order to understand any theory and deem it a conspiracy, one has to first grasp what the term means and why humans are so prone to believing and leaning towards them.

Protectionist economic measures and nationalist politics have created a seismic shift in the global world order, causing concerns and theories such as Westlessness and Slowbalisation to emerge. Today, many believe that economic globalization is on the verge of collapse. In this Op-Ed, Farah Rasmi explores issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and their effect on the future of globalization.

Even though the world is now witnessing the actualization of gender parity in politics, as most countries strive to attain sustainable development goal 5–realizing gender equality, there is still a long road ahead of States when it comes to securing female politicians in cyberspace against OGBV. Find out more by reading Christine Mounir’s Op-Ed: “How Far Women Can Women’s Grassroots Movements Go: The Role of Governance in Tackling OGBV in Politics.”

Climate change is widely considered to be the greatest threat to humanity. Countries are seeking innovative technologies and policies to curb the effects of climate change. Read more about climate consciousness and the benefits of carbon taxing and green bonds in Tarek Abdelraoufs Op-ed – Climate Consciousness: Progressing from Carbon Emissions.

In collaboration between the Badr University Centre for Global Affairs and the Atlantic Council. BUC nonresident researcher Farah Rasmi provides an overview of the diverse circumstances that led to France’s role in Libya. Find out more on the different stances that France has taken throughout the conflict by reading Farah Rasmi’s “Beyond the War – The History of French-Libyan Relations”

The Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA) is a US-proposed Sunni military pact against Iran aiming to counter Iranian hegemony in the Middle East ; although proposed to promote peace by countering Iranian aggression. Find out more about how MESA is threatening Middle Eastern regional security by destabilizing the balance of power in the region in Jouna Khaldoun’s research paper: “The Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA): Another Brick in the Wall?”

The threat of COVID-19 has been felt all across the world. But, finding solutions to the pandemic without integrating initiatives to solve the climate crisis would result in much more than just a wasted opportunity. Find out more about how the world should merge climate action into its COVID-19 recovery plans in our researcher – Tarek Abdelraouf’s publication: “On Climate Change”

Egypts focus on its Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) leaves an opportunity for corporations to emphasize their commitment towards the community. Read more about corporate citizenship and how corporate social responsibility has affected the way corporations conduct their business in our society in Tarek Abdelraoufs first article: Egypt: The Pathway to Corporate Citizenship.

In 2015, Egypt presented its Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) Vision 2030 that aimed to implement major economic and social changes that would guarantee sustainable growth. Read more about the SDS, how Egypt has developed its economy, and how the pandemic has affected its sustainability plans in Farah Rasmi’s most recent article: Towards Building a Sustainable Egypt.

Media and television in Egypt have been known to be a main source of information and cultural influence. But when it comes to gender parity, the media and advertising industries have, so far, done little to support the cause. On the contrary, due to their influence on culture and society, their minimal efforts to properly represent women in the media has had a negative effect on the fight for gender parity. Find out more about gender advertising in our researcher Tarek Abdelraouf’s policy paper “Gender Parity in the Media”

As many green initiatives as we can find, insofar as bad management and poor governance at the municipal level are intact, those initiatives will be rendered ineffective. For a better response to the challenges brought about by green corruption, it is highly recommended that effective mechanisms are created through civil society, in cooperation with the local government, to mitigate corruption that amplifies climate change. Find out more about green corruption by reading our researcher Christine Mounir’s paper “Curbing Green Corruption Through Civic Engagement”

With the current stagnant position of the Arab League in dealing with regional challenges, the organization has been labelled as nothing but a “glorified debating society”. As the organizational representative of 22 Arab States, the League currently presides over a series of crises within and between its members, nonetheless, it presently exhibits a complete inability to deal with conflicts occurring in the region due to its timeworn institutional arrangements and bygone organizational characteristics. To find out more about the constrained role of the Arab League, and the motives hindering its functionality, go through Jouna Khaldoun’s Research paper “What the Arab World Needs: Prospects for an Arab League Renaissance”.

Corruption worldwide has been a contentious matter. From defining the term to enacting policies to tackle the issue, the many facets of corruption have policy makers debating the best course of action to resolve the global issue. Find out more about corruption and the role of policy makers in its eradication, in Farah Rasmis paper “The system is down: understanding corruption”

Worldwide, the energy sector is the biggest emitter of carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. The sector is also perfectly positioned for a transformational era into renewable energy. Given Egypt’s geographical location, the country is able to utilize many of its natural resources, become a renewable energy hub in the region, and lower its dependency on fossil fuels. Read more about global energy consumption and, how Egypt can develop its energy generation in Tarek Abdelraouf’s most recent article: Putting the Earth First: The Case for Renewable Energy Transition.

Zionism and antisemitism have, since the coining of their names, been what many call strange bedfellows. The conflation between the terms, specifically antisemitism and anti-zionism, and their constant use and abuse in politics, have created an environment where ‘antisemitism’ has been weaponized; often to the point of being detrimental to everyone. Read more about the blending of Semitism and Zionism in Farah Rasmi’s article: When Governments Fail People: The Weaponization of Antisemitism.

Climate change is not gender neutral. The Climate-Gender nexus is a product of the detrimental effects that climate change has on the world, specifically how climate change increases women’s vulnerability more so than it does men. In order to address the nexus the world must address both climate change and gender inequality in-tandem. Read more about the Climate-Gender nexus and possible ways to address it in Tarek Abdelraoufs paper: The Climate Gender Nexus: Climate Change is not Gender Neutral.

10 years after the fall of Gadhafi, Libya still remains as fractured as ever. Although international efforts pushed for parliamentary and presidential elections last December, debates around whether Libya is ready or not, constitutes a point of contention. Libya is still facing abounding security, institutional and state-building challenges, thus why the electoral process has been delayed until further notice. Nonetheless, there are serious interrogations as to whether the elections provide and sustain what Libya needs. To find out more about how the Libyan crisis does not require a “western reform agenda” but rather calls for more Libyan-tailored solutions, check out Jouna Khaldoun’s policy paper.

Egypt serves as a bridge between Africa, Asia and Europe, its location sets it in a prime position that offers tremendous potential for the country’s economy and tourism sectors. Yet, Egypt faces multiple security hurdles that can impact its way forward. Read more about the challenges facing Egypt in Tarek Abdelraouf’s latest publication – “Beyond Borders: Analyzing Egypts Security Threats”

The Russian invasion of Ukraine shows us the key elements required to de-escalate a military conflict. Concessions and compromises are the keystones of negotiations between equal parties. However, if one of the parties perceives the relationship to be unequal then negotiations turn to demands and dialogue halts. Read more about the ongoing invasion and pathways of possible de-escalation or further intensification in Adham Shebl’s paper: “The Kievan Dialogue: Thucydides in Eastern Europe.”

How is the Egyptian middle class faring in its plight? A question inevitably raised in the face of the culminating economic challenges faced by the Egyptian economy nowadays. Strong empirical evidence categorizes the middle class as the primary measure for successful economic reform. If the enacted reforms preserve this class, it is an indicator of a successful trajectory. To find out more on how subsidy cuts, currency flotation, progressive income tax and high inflation have sturdily hit an already hollowed-out middle-class, read Jouna Khaldoun’s paper titled “The Slippery Slope of the Egyptian Middle Class”.

Education serves as one of the most essential building blocks for sustained growth and development within any given society. Egypt’s education system, as of 2019, ranked 134 out of 144 according to indicators issued by the World Economic Forum. This paper analyzes the underlying factors that hinder education in Egypt. Additionally, this paper looks at current policies that seek to improve that situation and proposes future pathways of developing the Egyptian education system. Read more about the challenges and future of Egypt’s education system in Jouna Khaloun’s latest publication – “Public Education in Egypt.”

Egyptian private investment’s role in the Egyptian economy is declining. Such a development results in the Egyptian public sector being forced to increase its investment spending, which removes funds from social safety nets and public services. The government is aware of this problem and seeks to encourage the rise of private investments in the country. However, there seems to be a missing link between the investors, manufacturers, and the government. Read more about the challenges and possible solutions for developing official communication channels between all necessary parties in Adham Shebl’s latest publication – “Thawing Capital Strikes: Private Investments in Egypt and the State.”

Social media has become a fixed component in the lives of Egyptians. Over the past decade and half, it has had a profound impact on Egyptian society and politics. In its evolution, it has proved to be a force for positive change as well as a potential threat to be exploited by nefarious actors. Read more about the dangers posed by social media and the possible frameworks for resolving these dangers in Seif Hendy’s latest publication – “Social Media and Egyptian National Security.”