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Curated by Project Syndicate

The Middle East Meltdown

16 commentaries

As the crises in the Middle East intensify, the prospect of regional peace and stability seems to be receding further by the day. What challenges face policymakers as they attempt to contain the spreading chaos, and what historical lessons should they bear in mind as they attempt to find a path forward?

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  1. The Last Pagans of Iraq
    Iraqi Refugees in Kurdistan carry Water Matt Cetti-Roberts/ZumaPress

    The Last Pagans of Iraq

    Aug 8, 2014 Sanjeev Sanyal on the worsening plight of the Yezidi minority.

  2. Why Bomb Civilians?
    Bombed Buildings Gaza Wissam Nassar/ZumaPress

    Why Bomb Civilians?

    Aug 5, 2014 Ian Buruma argues that Israel's air attacks on Gaza will at best yield a Pyrrhic victory.

  3. Unholy War
    Destroyed Mosque Gaza City Majdi Fathi/ZumaPress

    Unholy War

    Jul 31, 2014 Naomi Wolf argues that what really is at stake in Gaza is Israel's soul.

  4. The Global Security Deficit
    Airport Security hazelisles/Flickr

    The Global Security Deficit

    Jul 25, 2014 Michael Spence warns that political instability and conflict are now the main threat to the global economy.

  5. The Waste of War
    War dead US Army/Korea

    The Waste of War

    Jul 21, 2014 Jeffrey D. Sachs on why global instability today does not have to end as badly as it did in 1914.

  6. The Three-Track Middle East
    Smoke over Gaza City Palestine Mohammed Othman/ZumaPress

    The Three-Track Middle East

    Jul 10, 2014 Mohamed A. El-Erian says that it makes no sense today to talk of the region as a coherent whole.

Our Pick

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    The “Billions to Trillions” Charade

    Jayati Ghosh explains why using development banks' resources to incentivize private-sector finance is unlikely to succeed.
  2. aljasser1_SEYLLOUAFP via Getty Images_dakarairport Seyllou/AFP via Getty Images
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    Leveraging Islamic Finance for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

    Muhammad Al Jasser shows how a hybrid financing model could help fund desperately needed projects in the developing world.
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    Adekeye Adebajo on the Non-Aligned Movement, United Nations peacekeeping, African institution-building, and more

    Adekeye Adebajo argues that Israel’s war in Gaza is accelerating the trend toward global apartheid, highlights the strengths and weaknesses of United Nations peacekeeping missions, criticizes the militarization of US engagement with Africa, and more.
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    Europe’s Non-European Elections

    Alberto Alemanno highlights structural flaws that impede the European Union’s ability to address its current and future challenges.
  5. almubarak1_In Pictures Ltd.Corbis via Getty Images_africawomancooking In Pictures Ltd./Corbis via Getty Images
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    A Turning Point for Clean Cooking

    Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak & Joseph Nganga

    The models are in place to achieve clean cooking for all, which would have enormous benefits for the climate, health, and gender equality. Now rich-country governments, the private sector, and international organizations must agree to provide the necessary funding at this week’s IEA Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa.

     urge global leaders to provide the financing to end a practice with dire effects for health and the climate.
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    Why the US Can’t Win the Trade War With China – and Shouldn’t Try

    Qiyuan Xu argues that high capital outflows – largely a result of US policy – have resulted in an undervalued renminbi.
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    The Dilemmas of the Dollar

    Barry Eichengreen

    The dollar's strength, particularly against major Asian currencies, has triggered a wave of skittishness in financial markets. Can anything be done to stem the greenback's rise, and even if something can be done, should it?

     asks whether anything can or should be done about the greenback's strength, especially against Asian currencies.
  8. matola2_Per-Anders PetterssonGetty Images_malawi cooking Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images
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    Clean Cooking Advances Women’s Empowerment

    Rachel Ruto outlines a gender-based strategy for improving energy access and reducing air pollution in Africa.
  9. kirtondarling1_Andreas RentzGetty Images_european green new deal Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
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    There Can Be No Business as Usual for European Industry

    Judith Kirton-Darling urges EU leaders to make a renewed Green Deal, backed by competitiveness-bolstering initiatives, a top priority.

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