I remember that on our way to Kazbegi, we stopped at a place called the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument. The Russia–Georgia Friendship Monument was built in the Soviet era to symbolize the friendship between the two nations. However, it has stirred controversy among Georgians. While some view it as a painful reminder of conflicts between Russia and Georgia, criticisms emerge regarding the painting inside the wall, accused of presenting a biased narrative, and its location along the Georgian Military Highway is seen by some as a reminder of unresolved conflicts. After learning the story behind the Monument, I understand the hesitation on the Georgian side. I also realized that unless people and countries share common values, the sustainability and the meaning of symbolic structures like the Russia-Georgia Friendship Monument will forever remain fiction.

Moreover, I had an opportunity to chat with other LNC participants from other parts of the world. The conversations were so insightful. Before coming to Georgia, I had a few questions related to democratic principles and values. The conversations I had with my peers during this program were so rich, and I was able to address some of these questions. Imagine!! Meeting peers with many years of experience in promoting democracy from almost all over the world — it was epic. I am pleased that I am more informed, and I am more confident that, today, I can give comparative knowledge when it comes to governance issues to aid my work. Being part of the LNC program kept me on track.

All in all, I wish to say მადლობა საქართველოს, სტენფორდის CDDRL-ს და ფიშერების ოჯახს (Georgian for "thank you to Georgia, Stanford CDDRL, and the Fisher Family").

Impacts on Russia, Ukraine, and Beyond

Michael McFaul

The implications of the 72-hour mutiny will last much longer and extend much further beyond Rostov and Moscow, says FSI Director and former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.

Speaking with Madeline Brand of KRCW, McFaul outlined the difficult situation Putin now finds himself in.

“This whole series of events has made Putin look a lot weaker than he looked three or four days ago. The very fact that the Wagner group exists is a sign of weakness. Putin needs them because he couldn’t rely on his armed forces.”

Elaborating further on Putin’s dilemma, McFaul says:

“As those mercenaries were getting closer to Moscow, Putin went on TV and sounded very macho, calling Prigozhin’s men traitors and promising to crush them, but then four hours later, he capitulates and starts to negotiate. And now he’s given another speech where it sounds like he’s pleading with these mercenaries to lay down their weapons and join the Russian forces. That clearly shows he hasn’t resolved this Wagner crisis yet.”

McFaul predicts that Putin’s remaining partners are also taking note of his fumbled reaction to the rebellion.

“​​If you’re Xi Jinping watching this, the big bet you made on Putin as a partner in opposing the West is looking really problematic right now.”

What Chinese officials fear most, McFaul explained to MSNBC’s Jonathn Capehart, is instability and dissolution, both internally and amongst their neighbors. Historically, the collapse of the Soviet Union was a catastrophic event for Chinese Communist Party officials, and a lesson the current leadership is loath to repeat.

McFaul asserts that, “The longer Putin’s war in Ukraine goes, the more probable it becomes that Russia becomes more unstable. The longer this war goes on, the more likely it is we could see something like this play out over and over again. So I would hope that Xi Jinping understands that putting pressure on Putin to end the war in Ukraine is the best way to prevent chaos on China's borders.”

There are also important lessons the United States and its allies need to consider when evaluating the kind of support they are willing to give Ukraine as the war wears on.

“Putin capitulated very fast, and I think that says a lot about how he’s going to fight in Ukraine and whether he needs an ‘off ramp’ like we’ve been saying. We’ve heard all of these arguments that if he’s backed into a corner he’ll never negotiate. Well, this weekend Putin was in a corner, and he didn't double down. He didn't escalate. He negotiated,” McFaul observes.

Continuing this thought on his Substack, McFaul emphasized that, “The lesson for the war in Ukraine is clear. Putin is more likely to negotiate and end his war if he is losing on the battlefield, not when there is a stalemate. Those who have argued that Ukraine must not attack Crimea for fear of triggering escalation must now reevaluate that hypothesis. The sooner Putin fears he is losing the war, the faster he will negotiate.”

Or, as McFaul writes in Journal on Democracy, “Anything that weakens Putin is good for Ukraine. It is as simple as that.”  

Fallout on Nuclear Security and Norms

Rose Gottemoeller

Throughout the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there have been concerns about nuclear sabre rattling by Putin and Kremlin-backed propagandists. Writing in the Financial Times, Rose Gottemoeller, the Steven C. Házy Lecturer at CISAC and former Deputy Secretary of NATO offered this insight:

“The fixation with nuclear apocalypse seems to be the symptom of a wider anxiety that the west is bent on Russian dismemberment because of its aspirations in Ukraine. The Kremlin argues that it only wanted to resume its ancestral right to a Slavic heartland, but that the U.S. and NATO are seeking as punishment Russia’s full and complete destruction as a nation state.”

Gottemoeller has been quick to condemn Putin’s casual threats of nuclear use and clear in her recommendations to the U.S. administration and its allies to find constructive ways to keep nuclear arms talks open despite the war in Ukraine and setbacks like Russia’s suspension of its participation in the New START Treaty.

The Wagner takeover of Rostov-on-Don adds a new layer to the security concerns surrounding Russia’s nuclear posture. Looking at the evolution of Putin’s nuclear rhetoric over the last 18 months, Gottemoeller writes:

“Putin embraced nuclear weapons to keep the United States and its NATO allies off his back and out of his way as he pursued his adventure in Ukraine. It did not work out that way. The United States and NATO were not ready to fight inside Ukraine, but they were willing to do everything else to support Kyiv’s cause — economic, political, security and military assistance to ensure Russia’s defeat. Nuclear weapons failed Putin as a guarantee against external meddling.”

Turning to the events of the last week, Gottemoeller continues:

“We learned on June 24 that they are no help to him internally, either. He could not brandish nuclear weapons in the face of the Wagner Group uprising . . . Nuclear weapons are not the authoritarian’s silver bullet when his power is strained to the breaking point — far from it. In fact, they represent a consummate threat to national and global security if they should fall into the wrong hands in the course of domestic unrest.”

In light of Prigozhin’s mutiny, she urges global leaders to “focus on the problem, stop loose nuclear talk, and put new measures in place to protect, control and account for nuclear weapons and the fissile material that go into them.” 

The Unknown Unknowns of the Settlement

Steven Pifer

Major questions remain about the deal struck between Putin, Prigozhin, and Lukashenko. While Lukashenko has confirmed that the Wagner boss is now in Belarusian territory, it is unclear — and many feel, unlikely — that he will stay there in quiet retirement. 

Weighing in on Twitter, Steven Pifer, an affiliate at the Center for International Cooperation and Security and The Europe Center, and a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, acknowledged, “We likely do not know all carrots and/or sticks that were in play to lead to Prigozhin’s decision to end his mutiny . . . Something does not add up.”

Following up in Politico, Pifer added:

“The ‘settlement’ supposedly brokered by President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus leaves Putin, who was invisible during the day except for a short morning TV broadcast, as damaged goods. It provided the impression that all was forgiven, likely because the Russian president feared the prospect of Prigozhin’s troops parading in Moscow — even if they lacked the numbers to take control of the capital. It is harder to understand Prigozhin. His demands went unmet, yet he ordered his troops back to garrison, accepted that they might join the Russian army that he detests, and meekly set off for Belarus. There clearly is more behind this ‘settlement’ than we understand.”

BELARUS
 

Anton Radniankou is a leader with over a decade of experience spanning both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. His notable achievements include shaping the strategy and communication efforts for the most successful presidential campaign in the history of Belarusian democratic forces. Additionally, he established one of the largest independent think tanks in the country and implemented extensive infrastructure projects funded by the European Union. Anton currently leads the Belarusian think tank, Center for New Ideas, which promotes structural reforms through research and stakeholder engagement. During the 2020 presidential campaign in Belarus, Anton acted as a consultant to reformist candidates Viktar Babaryka, Maria Kalesnikava, and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Previously, he designed and implemented initiatives centered around sustainable regional development, with budgets reaching up to 1 million EUR. He also serves as the Head of Communications for the Coordination Council of the Belarusian Democratic Forces. Anton was born in Homiel, Belarus, and studied Strategic Communications at King’s College, London.

CAMEROON
 

Tem Fuh Mbuh is the Acting Division Director and Program Manager of the Security and Rights Program at Open Society—Africa. Prior to this, he was the head of the Nigeria Office of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa as well as the Program Officer for Equality, Justice, and Human Rights. Previously, he served as Legal Officer at the Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. In 2017, Tem was a Mandela Washington Fellow for Young African Leaders (University of Virginia and College of William and Mary, both in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Democratization from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Tem's primary interests are in the areas of conflict prevention, human rights, and rule of law.

COLOMBIA
 

Ana Bejarano Ricaurte is a Colombian lawyer from Los Andes University, with a Masters in Law from Harvard University. Bejarano is a litigator in Bejarano Abogados, a law firm in Bogotá, and is currently the director of El Veinte, an NGO dedicated to the judicial defense of freedom of expression and the eradication of judicial harassment against the press. She is also a professor at Los Andes University, teaching a course titled: Justice and Freedom of Expression. Bejarano is an op-ed writer for Los Danieles, an independent digital opinion outlet in Colombia, and has been a member of the Colombian Institute of Procedural Law since 2011. Her research topics include justice systems, pro bono work, sociology of the legal profession, freedom of expression, and gender-based violence. She is also a proud single mother to Irene.

ETHIOPIA
 

Dr. Ayten Birhanie is the Executive Director of the Ethiopian Institute of Peace. Previously, he served as a Lecturer at various institutions and co-founded New Abyssinia College, where he served as College Dean and General Manager. His interests and areas of expertise include societies and politics, peacebuilding, conflict management, and transformation of the Horn of Africa, as well as the issues of social justice and equality, and human and democratic rights and responsibilities. Ayten holds a Ph.D. in Global Studies, specializing in peace and security in Africa, from Leipzig University in Germany and Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Peace Education from the University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica. He completed his Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Social Anthropology, as well as in Business Education, from Unity University and Addis Ababa University, respectively.

GEORGIA
 

Ketevan Meskhishvili is a judge of the Tbilisi Appeal Court with 13 years of experience. She is a doctor of Laws and has been a full professor at the Free University of Tbilisi since 2013. In addition to her judicial role, Ketevan is a national trainer for judges, attorneys, and lawyers. She has published extensively on private law and human rights. Throughout her 20-year legal career, Ketevan has held various positions, including chief specialist at the Civil, Entrepreneurial, and Bankruptcy Cases Chamber of the Supreme Court of Georgia and legal assistant to the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia. She also wrote the curricula as director of the Ph.D. and LLM programs in Law at Caucasus University. Ketevan's educational background includes studies at Iv. Javakhishvili University of Tbilisi and the European University of Saarbrücken. She has completed certified legal training courses in Georgia and Europe and has participated in exchange programs in Germany and the United States. Driven by her motto, "I evolve, therefore I exist," Ketevan is committed to continuous self-improvement and being a valuable citizen who contributes to her country's progress.
 

Tamar Khulordava, co-founder of Egeria Solutions, specializes in democratization and institution building. With over 20 years of experience in governance, human rights, and the rule of law, she offers consultancy at Egeria to state and non-state actors. Tamar's notable roles include serving as a member of the Parliament of Georgia (2016-2020), where she chaired the Committee on European Integration and led parliamentary delegations to the European Parliament. She also served as First Deputy Minister of Corrections, spearheading impactful reforms in criminal enforcement. Tamar has managed European Union justice programs worth over EUR 100 million and has contributed to legal education as a trainer and instructor at Tbilisi State University. She holds a degree from Tbilisi State University and has participated in various professional development programs.

HONG KONG (city)
 

Sunny Cheung is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Flow HK Media, a platform that combats authoritarian propaganda and promotes democracy across more than ten countries. He currently advises the Hong Kong Democracy Council in Washington, D.C., and has previously advised the State Department, the Taiwanese government, and various international NGOs. In 2019, Sunny founded the Hong Kong Higher Institutions International Affairs Delegation, comprising all university student unions in the territory of Hong Kong, and organized worldwide lobbying efforts to support freedom and justice for the city. In 2020, he was elected by 600,000 pro-democracy voters in the municipal primaries. In 2022, he founded the International Liberty Congress in an effort to prevent further democratic recession. Sunny’s work for freedom in Hong Kong has earned him recognition as a Global Leader by the McCain Institute. He has also testified before the US Congress, Parliament of the United Kingdom, and Taiwan Legislative Yuan regarding the political situation in Hong Kong. Sunny is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong and holds an M.A. from the School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University. He is a visiting fellow at Taiwan's National Sun Yat-Sen University.

INDIA
 

Deeksha Bhardwaj is a political journalist covering policy and governance in New Delhi. Her extensive coverage includes subjects ranging from the Election Commission and Parliament to tech policy, cybersecurity, and culture. Deeksha's portfolio showcases her ability to curate articles, deliver ground reports on national and state elections, and break important news stories on topics such as India’s burgeoning data protection legislation, social media policy, and the country’s principal opposition party, the Congress. She has a keen interest in surveillance reforms and their impact on civil rights. A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College in India, Deeksha pursued an academic career in Literatures in English before her stint as a journalist. She holds a Master of Philosophy from Delhi University and is interested in the intersection of technology, policy, society, and governance.
 

Manasi Subramaniam is the Editor-in-Chief and Vice President at Penguin Random House India, where she heads the literary division’s flagship imprints: Allen Lane, Viking, Hamish Hamilton, Penguin Paperbacks, and Penguin Classics. She has published some of the most exciting new voices across South Asia, including two winners of the Booker Prize and a winner of the Pulitzer Prize. She has been invited to prestigious global leadership and governance forums, including the Yale World Fellows program and the Raisina Young Fellows program, as well as professional publishing platforms such as the Frankfurt Buchmesse fellowship, the Bureau International de l'Édition Française fellowship, the Australia Council for the Arts Visiting International Publishers program, and the Zev Birger fellowship. Manasi is committed to making publishing more inclusive and accessible and bringing underrepresented voices into mainstream media. Manasi has an MA in Renaissance Literature and has worked in amateur theater and academic research on Shakespeare.
 

Technologist and socio-political activist Ruben Mascarenhas is the National Joint Secretary of India's youngest national political party, the Aam Admi Party (AAP). He also serves as the Party’s spokesperson and as Working President of the Mumbai Unit. He is the co-founder and director of Khaana Chahiye Foundation, which works toward solving hunger problems in urban India through policy advocacy and community mobilization. The Foundation was one of India's largest covid hunger relief programs, having served over 7.5 million cooked meals and supporting 6.5 lakh migrant workers during the migrant-worker exodus crisis. In 2009, as part of his JaagoRe! campaign, Ruben registered lakhs of Mumbai voters. In 2011, he was at the forefront of the India Against Corruption movement. In the same year, following the murder of two boys standing up to sexual harassment in Mumbai, Ruben launched the Zero Tolerance Campaign, successfully amending the anti-sexual harassment law in Maharashtra. A digital evangelist, Ruben was awarded the title of Mumbai Heroes for contributing to the highest-ever voter turnout in Mumbai in 2018. He was also a part of the founding team of SERV’D, which was a Bill Gates-funded entity to make domestic workers financially independent and debt free.

KENYA
 

Monica Munyendo is a judicial officer working with the Kenyan Judiciary. At present, she serves as a Principal Magistrate in Central Kenya, where she also heads a court station. She has eleven years of experience on the bench, where she handles both civil and criminal matters. During her tenure at Kilgoris court in Narok county, she trained on the legal framework of Female Genital Mutilation and has subsequently trained women and young girls within her jurisdiction to abandon the deep-rooted, harmful traditional practice. Monica is committed to fostering access to justice through promoting alternative justice systems, for example, in cases where elders facilitate parties to resolve their disputes. Previously, she worked at the Kenyan Judiciary Academy and was a trainer on election dispute resolution in the last election cycle. Monica is a Barer Fellow and holds a Master's degree in Law in Sustainable International Development from the University of Washington.

LEBANON
 

Ghina Bou Chakra is a Lebanese human rights defender and an advocate for civic engagement. She currently serves as Amnesty International’s Regional Media Officer for the Middle East and North Africa, exposing human rights violations within a complex landscape of enduring challenges such as political repression, gender inequality, and the stifling of dissent. In 2022, Ghina played a significant role in the Lebanese parliamentary elections, developing a media, public relations, and advocacy plan for one of the most successful anti-establishment electoral lists. Throughout Lebanon’s transformative uprising of October 17, 2019, Ghina was present on the frontlines, organizing and participating in protests over several months and ensuring the authentic narrative of the uprising reached the masses. Over the past decade, Ghina has spearheaded and participated in initiatives on environmental justice, gender equality, and social entrepreneurship. In 2021, she served as the President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Lebanon, empowering youth to effect positive change within their communities.
 

Sally Abi Khalil is a humanitarian and development practitioner with twenty years of experience in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria. She is currently the Middle East and North Africa Director of Oxfam International. As the first Lebanese woman to run a major international NGO within the Syria Response in Lebanon, she has led humanitarian response programming, programs supporting youth and women with social innovation and social entrepreneurship initiatives, promoted the right to decent work, worked for the establishment of civil society networks, and promoted feminist approaches towards leadership and collective action. Sally’s career has followed the trajectory of civil unrest in the Arab region, where she played various roles in shaping civil society development and organizational leadership. She began her career at UNDP in Lebanon and later went on to co-direct the Tharwa Project, an independent initiative launched in Syria to foster new avenues for communication and activism in the Arab region. Following the Cedar Revolution of 2005, Sally joined the National Democracy Institute (NDI), where she managed Citizen Lebanon, a nationwide civic education and advocacy program. During the Arab Spring of 2011, she worked on the Maghreb Youth Political Party Leadership Program in Tunisia and then went on to lead NDI’s Syria country program focusing on youth political leadership development and political party development.

LIBYA
 

Yosra Ben Nagi is a Libyan international development expert leading complex projects with a focus on private sector development. In 2018, she led the team responsible for the establishment of the first microfinance institution in Libya. Dedicated to promoting good governance and economic growth, Yosra currently supports the Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade in introducing economic reforms to improve the business environment and design public policies for economic diversification, regional integration, trade, and investment. Previously, she worked as an independent consultant in Extractive Industries Governance for Chemonics and the Natural Resource Governance Institute’s 2017 Resource Governance Index. She also served as an investment analyst at the Central Bank of Libya and Libya Africa Investment Portfolio. As a Chevening scholar, Yosra pursued her master’s degree in the United Kingdom and obtained an MSC. in International Business. She also holds a BSc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tripoli. 

MALI
 

El Hadj Djitteye has 12 years of experience in international development and peacebuilding. He has worked with the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, Caravan to Class, the United States Department of State, Creative Associates International, the Center for Civilians in Conflict, Global Integrity, the Global Initiative Against Organized Crime, and the United Nations Mission in Mali. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Timbuktu Center for Strategic Studies on the Sahel and is also an Obama Leader, One Young World Peace Ambassador, and Mandela Washington Fellow. As a survivor of the war in Mali and other conflicts across Sub-Saharan Africa, El Hadj is motivated to settle regional cultural and land conflicts and prevent extremist radicalization among youth. He holds Master’s degrees in English language and literature and international relations and diplomacy, and his writing and research explore good governance, political transition, democracy, peace and security, youth civic engagement, violent extremism, irregular migration, and cultural heritage development.

MONGOLIA
 

Dr. Ankhbayar Begz, also known as Paul R. Anka, is a gender studies expert and Coordinator of the Gender Equality Research Program at the Mitchell Foundation for Arts and Sciences. He holds a Master's degree in education and a Ph.D. in Gender Studies. During his studies, he developed a new index to evaluate gender equality at institutions of higher education. Paul is also an accomplished photographer. He co-founded and served as President of the "Tusgal" photography club for 10 years, which grew to be the largest club in Mongolia. His exhibit, "Portraits of Renown Literary Figures of Mongolia," showcased his passion for portrait photography. Paul was most recently a visiting scholar at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (APARC) at Stanford University’s Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) during the 2022-2023 academic year.

NIGERIA
 

Ann Iyonu is the Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, founded by the former Nigerian president Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. At the heart of the Foundation’s mandate is the protection of democratic integrity, prevention of violent conflicts, and promotion of peaceful resolution of disputes across Africa. Ann is also the coordinator of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF). The Forum draws on the experience and standing of its members to provide advisory, mediation, and conflict resolution support services to political leaders to sustain and advance democracy not only in West Africa but the entire continent of Africa. Since its inception in March 2020, WAEF has successfully played an active role in mediating peaceful elections in The Gambia. It has also intervened — with quiet diplomacy — in addressing nascent political challenges in several countries by reaching out to and engaging with key political leaders at the highest level. For more than a decade, Ann has worked on various democracy promotion, peace and security, and governance initiatives in the West African sub-region. This includes positions with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting and The Right to Know Nigeria, where she worked to empower citizens and exact accountability through the promotion of the freedom of information. Ann has also been a consultant to several international and national organizations, including the Open Government Partnership, as IRM Researcher, Nigeria.
 

Dr. Chika Charles Aniekwe has over 19 years of experience in democratic governance, transition, conflict, peacebuilding, and stabilization. He has worked across multiple contexts — from conflict and post-conflict countries such as Sierra Leone and Chad to emerging economies such as Ethiopia and low-middle income such as Ghana and Lesotho. He is a Senior Advisor and Head of Stabilization for the UNDP/LCBC Lake Chad Basin Regional Stabilization Strategy. Dr. Aniekwe holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies, a Master’s degree in International Development from the University of Bradford, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. His previous publications include The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance: Trends, Challenges and Perspectives; The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance: Past, Present and Future; and Crime and Terror Nexus: The Intersections Between Terror and Criminal Groups in the Lake Chad Basin.

PAKISTAN
 

Saqiba Mannan is a mid-career civil servant in Pakistan with over a decade of experience in the field of taxation. Mannan began her career in government after working as a corporate consultant for three years and completing her law degree. With 10 years of experience, she has established herself as an expert in tax audits. Currently, Mannan serves as General Manager of Finance & Accounts at Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), a state-owned enterprise responsible for ensuring food security. Mannan's future goals include focusing on the policy side of public service delivery systems and working as an international taxation consultant.

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA
 

Radu Marian has been a Member of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova since 2019 and is currently the Chairman of the Economic, Budget, and Finance Committee of the Moldovan Parliament. He is a founding member of the Party of Action and Solidarity and currently serves as the party’s vice president. Prior to his career in public service, Radu worked at the local Independent think-tank “Expert-Grup” from 2013-2016 and co-founded the educational project Twenty-Tu in 2017-2018. Radu holds a Master’s degree in international business from the University of Edinburgh and was also a Chevening scholar. He is included in the Alumni 100 list of the University of Edinburgh Business School for outstanding achievements after graduation. Raadu also holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance & banking from the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova and completed a one-year fellowship in marketing in the United States at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

RUSSIA
 

Polina Machold is a publisher managing the financial and technical aspects of a Russian online journal, “The Project” (Proekt). Her expertise in fundraising, marketing, and IT has enabled her to build sustainable media projects with a strong focus on democratic values. Polina's unwavering commitment to freedom of speech in Russia since 2011 has given her unique experience in managing crises in Russian media, including successfully leading the Proekt team through their escape from Russia in 2021 after being named an "undesirable organization" by the Russian state. With over a decade of experience in the media industry, Polina has a deep understanding of the media landscape and is always exploring new trends and technologies to stay ahead of the curve.
 

A lawyer by training, Yulia Gorbunova is Human Rights Watch’s senior researcher on Ukraine, where she has worked extensively documenting war crimes in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Prior to the most recent Russian invasion, Yulia documented abuses in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, and in occupied Crimea, including enforced disappearances, prosecution, and detention of Crimean Tatars and other abuses by paramilitary groups. She has focused on a range of other issues in Ukraine, including refugee rights, the right to health, and the rights of the elderly and people with disabilities. She has also worked on promoting women’s rights and the freedoms of assembly, association, and speech in several other countries in Europe and the Central Asian region. Yulia holds a Master’s degree from the University of Western Sydney and a Bachelor's in law with a focus on criminal law and international law.

SIERRA LEONE
 

Hamid Gbawuru Marah is a business thought leader and development management practitioner with full-cycle project management expertise, including various standards of program designing, implementation, monitoring, learning, and controlling. His career has been balanced between nongovernmental organizations, the public sector, and multilateral organizations and private sector development experience. This has included businesses in West Africa, managing business accelerators, as well as youth employment and women's economic empowerment initiatives like market systems development for employment (MSD4E), value chain development (VCD), and private sector development (PSD).

UGANDA
 

Anthony Masake is a lawyer with 17 years of work experience on the frontlines of defending human rights and advancing legal aid in Uganda. He works with human rights defenders and civil society organizations to advance civic space both on- and offline. He has conducted extensive research on human rights and led training on fair trials, human rights monitoring and documentation, human rights advocacy, strategic litigation, and first legal response. Anthony currently works with Chapter Four Uganda as the Acting Executive Director and Director of Programs. Previously, he worked with Uganda’s Bar Association for 8 years in legal aid service provision for the most vulnerable sections of society. He is also a columnist and a commentator on current affairs.

UKRAINE

Our six Ukrainian fellows are jointly participating in CDDRL’s Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development Program.
 

Anton Turupalov is a political consulting and government relations professional in Ukraine with extensive experience in public service. He has previously served as Deputy Mayor of Mykolayiv, Advisor to the Minister of Healthcare of Ukraine, and Advisor to the Head of the Parliament of Ukraine. Anton's expertise lies in regional policy and local administration. As a key advisor on regional policy to the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, he played a pivotal role in implementing groundbreaking system changes, including land and administrative reform. Anton organized Ukraine's first coronavirus isolation facility during the COVID-19 pandemic under challenging circumstances. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, Anton co-organized the Assistance Coordination Center in Warsaw, a hub for coordinating humanitarian aid between Ukrainian and Polish authorities, international donors, and organizations. Currently based in Warsaw, Anton serves as an advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Food of Ukraine.
 

Gulsanna Mamediieva led the European and NATO integration of Ukraine's digital sector, focusing on various components like electronic communications, e-services, privacy, digital skills, and more. Since February 2022, she has been responsible for coordinating international technical assistance to support Ukraine's digital resistance to Russia’s invasion. Gulsanna serves as a member of the Council of Europe's Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Eastern Partnership Countries' Harmonization Digital Market Coordinator for Ukraine, and as Ukraine's representative in other international organizations. She is Visiting Fellow at the McCourt School for Public Policy at Georgetown University. She holds a Master's degree in Information Technology Law from the University of Tartu, Estonia, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Internet Law at the Kyiv Institute of International Relations. Prior to her government role, Gulsanna worked as an IT lawyer at DLA Piper Ukraine, specializing in ICT and Intellectual Property.
 

Halyna Yanchenko was elected to the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) in 2019 and is the Deputy Chair of Sluha Narodum “SN” (Servant of the People), a centrist, pro-European and anti-corruption Party. Shortly after her election, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, tapped her to lead government investment efforts. In January 2022, she was appointed as a Secretary in the National Investment Council of Ukraine. In addition, she chairs the Temporary Special Commission of the Verkhovna Rada on protecting investor rights. Prior to being elected to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, she led the Civil Oversight Council at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine. In 2014-2015 was a deputy of the Kyiv city council. Halyna earned a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. She also studied for one year at the Wichita Falls High School in Texas.
 

Konstantyn Chyzhyk is a Partner at British-Ukrainian law and consultancy firm Hillmont Partners, helping international companies develop business in Ukraine and advising the government and the parliament on economic and judicial reforms. As Deputy Minister of Energy and Ecology, Konstantyn coordinated European integration, investments, digital transformation, and security, worked on renewable energy sector stabilization and reform, launched new auctions on gas extraction, and managed the largest sectoral loan and grant portfolio in the government of $1.2B. As Deputy Head and later as Head of the Investment Promotion Office under the President of Ukraine, Konstantyn unlocked and secured more than $1B of foreign direct investments. As Head of Communications and International Relations of the Ministry of Finance, he promoted IMF-backed reforms and managed cooperation with investors and the IMF, World Bank, EBRD, and EIB.
 

Mykhailo Pavliuk is vice-chairman of the Chernivtsi Oblast (state) legislature in Ukraine. Among his central duties is the protection of the mutual interests of communities (known in Ukrainian as hromadas) and local governing bodies. His interests have long been focused on Euro-Atlantic integration, decentralization and deconcentration of authority in Ukraine, and the engagement of public and non-governmental organizations in policymaking. As acting Governor of the Chernivtsi Oblast State Administration in 2018-2019, Mykhailo focused on the creation of a successful administrative structure of new, capable, self-sufficient communities. In 2006-2010 shortly after his university graduation, he also organized long-term public discussions about the advantages for Ukraine of European Union and NATO membership. In his spare time, Mykhailo volunteers to deliver humanitarian aid to liberated areas of Ukraine and to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He also supports internally displaced persons in Chernivtsi and coordinates their resettlement.
 

Olena Kutsai is a lawyer with more than 15 years of experience in the international corporate sector, including work for Chevron and Scorpio Real Estate corporations. Olena currently serves as a Member of the Secretariat of the Business Ombudsman Council of Ukraine and is a Member of the Peace Coalition. In the Business Ombudsman Council, Olena leads high-level dialogues focused on improving the business environment in Ukraine. She is responsible for strategic cooperation with a number of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. Olena drives several special initiatives to support the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022. She also develops policy recommendations promoting good governance, sustainable development, and the rule of law in Ukraine, working with the Government of Ukraine, Verkhovna Rada (parliament), the Office of the President of Ukraine, business associations, non-governmental institutions, international financial institutions (World Bank, EBRD), and international development organizations such as USAID and Agriteam. Olena is an author and co-author of the Council’s educational webinars and training for the private and public sectors. She holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the Ukrainian Catholic University and a Master’s of Law from the Eastern European University. Olena is a graduate of the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law’s Leadership Academy for Development (Stanford University) and an advanced leadership course at Harvard Business School.

UZBEKISTAN
 

Farrukh Irnazarov is a co-founder and Country Director at the Central Asian Development Institute and RANSIF Group. He has more than 15 years of experience working on economic development and investment strategies, trade and transportation, labor migration, and agribusiness, and has managed projects for the World Bank, ADB, UNDP, IOM, GIZ, USAID, UNICEF, GDN, Volkswagen, Gerda Henkel, and PeaceNexus Foundations. From 2014-2019, he was also a Visiting Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars (Johns Hopkins University and George Washington University in Washington, DC). Previously, Farrukh worked for the University of Applied Sciences Goettingen, the National College of Ireland, and the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations of Uzbekistan. Farrukh teaches master classes on leadership, communication, and interviewing in difficult environments, and he is a member of Traveler’s Century Club (having visited 100+ countries). Farrukh has two Master’s in Sciences from Sweden — in Business Administration and Economics from Stockholm University (2006) and in International and European Relations from Linköping University (2005).

VENEZUELA
 

Alonso Moleiro is a Venezuelan journalist, writer, political analyst, civic activist, and radio anchor in Caracas, Venezuela. He graduated as a journalist from the Central Venezuelan University and has worked as a reporter and columnist in El Globo and El Nacional newspapers. He is the founder and director of the magazine Contrabando, a Venezuelan TV commentator, and served as Vice President of the National Council of Journalists from 2008-2010. Alonso was a radio anchor in the Union Radio Circuit for 10 years until the Maduro government ordered that his daily program be taken off the air. Alonso also worked as an advisor and consultant for public and private affairs, and as a volunteer in some civil and political movements that have been fighting to restore democracy in Venezuela. Alonso is the author of two books and is a member of the editorial council of the opposition newspaper Tal Cual. He currently works as a correspondent for the Spanish newspaper El País in Caracas.
 

Cristofer Correia is a political leader, businessman, and the author of the book Inclusive Urban Regeneration, in which public policies are proposed for poverty eradication in cities. He has pursued graduate degrees in Spain, the UK, and the United States, and is both a Chevening and Fulbright alumnus. In his political work, Cristofer is the National Training Coordinator of Voluntad Popular, an opposition political party in Venezuela led by Leopoldo Lopez and Juan Guaido. He is also CEO of Es Noticia, a WhatsApp network of 600 groups and 50,000 direct users for disseminating accurate information and overcoming censorship in Venezuela. Previously, he served as General Director of Citizen Participation at the National Assembly of Venezuela and as National Coordinator at Volunteers for Venezuela, a platform that has brought together more than 500,000 volunteers for humanitarian care in the country. Cristofer is a lecturer in Public Management at Andrés Bello Catholic University.

Gandhi reminisced about the ‘Unite India March,’ a democratic-inspired walk he led across the country that started with 125 people in September 2022 and ended with millions of people joining the 2,540-mile journey. And, although the ruling government had all the “force,” the instruments of control in society, the marchers were never stopped, he noted.

“This was a question that just kept rotating in my mind,” Gandhi said. “They have the force, but they don’t have power, and I realized that force and power are two completely different things. Most politicians confuse force and power, and they think they're the same thing. They’re completely different things. Power is an act of imagination, always in the present, and it is not linear. And power comes when you go close to the truth. That’s why we could not be stopped by force.”

He compared this to other moments of “power” in history, such as when President Kennedy said, ‘let’s go to the moon,’ or when Mahatma Gandhi stood up to the British Empire colonial powers in India, and when the American colonists created the Declaration of Independence to start separating from Britain.

Gandhi said acts of “force” did not drive these historical turning points; rather, they revealed the magnitude of the power of imagination that potentially exists among people to create a better, more just, and visionary world.

Such visioning needs to also inspire and transform the U.S.-India relationship, he believes.

“We already have a bridge between us, and it’s important that this bridge is not simply a bridge based on force, but that it is a bridge based on understanding of the realities of both our people,” said Gandhi, noting the software and technical skills of the Indian people in general match up extremely well with the leading-edge technology systems and markets in the U.S.

U.S. Relationship, Manufacturing, China

After his remarks, Gandhi engaged in an audience Q&A and conversation with Dinsha Mistree, an affiliated scholar with CDDRL. Gandhi elaborated that the political disconnect in India is attributable to a concentration of wealth, inequality throughout society, the current political system, and technology that’s outpacing the ability of social systems and people to digest and manage all the connectivity.

“With social media and technology, there’s a bit of a lag between the political system and technological progress, and I think democracies are struggling with that. I think evolution in the systems is going to take some time, but it’ll happen,” he said.

On economics, Gandhi said that while China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a massive infrastructure project that aims to stretch around the globe and seems to promote prosperity, it’s ultimately a non-democratic and authoritarian vision of the world. More visioning needs to be done by leading democratic countries on what prosperity entails for societies that may not be as wealthy as others.

“What’s the counter vision? So that’s where I see the gap. Of course, there is military cooperation (with the U.S.). That’s important. But it can’t just be military cooperation,” he said.

As for China, their top-down manufacturing policies are a challenge for democratic countries like India. Gandhi recommends that India follows a more decentralized manufacturing process.

“You cannot simply ignore the manufacturing might of China. You have to compete with. I don’t think it’s an option. So, what does that competition look like? I’m not talking about conflict, I’m talking about competition. How do we create an alternative vision?” he said, adding that it was a “fatal mistake” for the U.S. to parcel out its manufacturing in recent decades to China.

In response to an audience question on India’s position of formal neutrality in the Ukraine-Russia war, Gandhi said, “We have a relationship with Russia, and we have certain dependencies on Russia. So, I would have a very similar stance as the government of India. I mean, it might not be popular, but it is what it is. At the end of the day, we have to also look out for our interests.”

Democracy and Political Opposition

Mistree shared in an email prior to the event that Gandhi believes that India and the U.S. could work together in better ways on trade and economics.

For example, Gandhi’s view is that India could become a manufacturing powerhouse, which is a departure from the current ruling party’s position, while the U.S. continues to innovate and turns to India for more of its manufacturing needs, Mistree said.

“There’s a lot of space for these two countries to work much more closely together,” he said, adding that the Indian diaspora in America represents the second largest immigrant group in the country right now, and both countries share common security challenges in Asia.

Larry Diamond, Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy at FSI, noted that Gandhi is the leader of the most important opposition party in India.

“You can’t have a democracy unless you have a political opposition that is free to criticize the ruling party, and contest for power. He has also been questioning directly the concentration and abuse of power by the current government,” Diamond wrote in an email prior to Gandhi’s talk.

Diamond added that U.S. and India have important, economic and strategic interests that should move forward in partnership based on their own logic.

“We need to hear and take seriously the concerns of political opposition and civil society in India, and we need to make clear to the Indian government that violations of basic democratic standards present obstacles to the deepening of U.S.-Indian ties,” Diamond said.

Gandhi was on a six-day visit to the United States to interact with the Indian diaspora and express his party’s commitment to democratic values in India and across the world.

He said, “There are difficult times, but there are also times of opportunity. I think there are times when acts of imagination and acts of true power will resonate and can transform the way we think of ourselves.”

Mofeed Digest (Feb-April 2020)

The following digest summarizes the most important scholarly and policy publications, reports, and articles covering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the politics, economies, and societies of the Arab world. This issue of the Mofeed Digest was produced by Gheed El Bizri.

[MENA | Algeria| Bahrain| Comoros| Djibouti| Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Kuwait| Lebanon| Libya| Mauritania| Morocco| Oman| Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Somalia| Sudan| Syria| Tunisia| UAE| Yemen]

MENA

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Compliance and Stringency Measures in Response to COVID-19: A Regional Study
Journal of Behavioral Economics for Policy, Date Unspecified
This study looked at the policy response and COVID-19 daily case progression of 13 MENA countries to assess the effectiveness of stringency measures in managing the spread of the virus.

Economics in the Time of COVID-19
Centre for Economic Policy Research, Date Unspecified
This article examines the channels through which COVID-19 may affect the Middle East and North Africa, including oil prices, value chains, and tourism and travel.

The Coronavirus: Potential Effects on the Middle East and North Africa
Economic Research Forum, 10 March 2020
This article explains the negative impact of COVID-19 in the MENA region with regard to infections and effects on oil prices, value chains, and tourism.

Brookings Experts on the Implications of COVID-19 for the Middle East and North Africa
Brookings Institution, 26 March 2020
This OP-ED reports on macroeconomic instability and economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also discusses the ways in which the virus can be a conflict-multiplier across the region.

COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa: Reactions, Vulnerabilities, Prospects
GIGA Focus, April 2020
This article details the various responses to the coronavirus in the MENA region and the political implications.

The Securitization of the Coronavirus Crisis in the Middle East
Project on Middle East Political Science, April 2020
This working paper assesses the framing of the pandemic through the lens of the securitization theory. It discusses the application of that theory through the responses of certain countries in the Middle East.

Economic Consequences of COVID-19 in the Middle East: Implications for U.S. National Security
The Rand Corporation, 1 April 2020
This article assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economies in the Middle East that may be particularly affected by the fall in oil prices. It also explains what that impact means for the United States as it tries to maintain its influence in the region.

The Impact of Covid-19 on the Middle East and North Africa
Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, 16 April 2020
This article reports on the responses of different MENA states to the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID in the Maghreb: Responses and Impacts 
Project on Middle East Political Science, 21 April 2020
This working paper analyzes the impact of the pandemic on Maghreb countries’ economic performance and political situation as well as offer predictions on how that impact will change over time. 

Algeria

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Analysis of Social Resilience to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Algeria
Geomatics, Landmanagement and Landscape, Date Unspecified
This paper is a study that aims to understand and overcome the peculiarity of the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Algeria.

COVID-19 Epidemic in Algeria: Assessment of the Implemented Preventive Strategy
medRxiv, April 2020
This article studies the effects of COVID-19 mitigation measures in Algeria.

Bahrain

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How Bahrain is Leading from the Front on Coronavirus Containment
The National, 30 March 2020
This article evaluates the Bahraini state’s response to the pandemic. It touches upon the massive contact-tracing operation, the quick provision of isolation wards, the online learning system, the availability of human and capital resources, and the ways of addressing misinformation.

The Kingdom of Bahrain and COVID-19: Bahrain's Reaction to the Global Pandemic
CharlesRussel Speechlys, 7 April 2020
This articles outlines decisions that Bahrin’s government implemented to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to stabilize the economy.

Comoros

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IMF Executive Board Approves US$12 Million in Emergency Assistance to the Union of the Comoros to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic
International Monetary Fund, 22 April 2022
This article reports on the IMF's emergency assistance to Comoros to help it meet the urgent balance of payment needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, help catalyze development partner support, and address imminent health system needs.

Djibouti

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Republic of Djibouti: COVID-19 Situation Report #3
United Nations Djibouti, 9 April 2020
This situation report provides an overview on Djibouti's coronavirus situation assesses the preparedness and response of multiple sectors.

Djibouti's Economic Update — April 2020
The World Bank, 16 April 2022
This article provides an update on the negative impact of the restriction measures taken by Djibouti's government after the COVID-19 outbreak on its economy.

Egypt

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The Early Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism Industry: Assessment of Egyptian Tourism Supply Chain
Operations and Supply Chain Management, Date Unspecified
This paper discusses the effect of COVID-19 on tourism industry in general and on Egypt in particular by investigating the circumstances of different tourism sectors affected by the pandemic, discussing the major impacts, behaviors and experiences of COVID-19 on selected tourism supply chain members in Egypt and providing a rapid assessment of the reported procedures of the three major tourism stakeholders in Egyptian tourism. Finally, this paper summarizes the early resilient practices to the tourism industry in over 2020 and beyond.

What Boes COVID-19 Mean for Egypt's Economy
Middle East Institute, 26 March 2020
This article reports on the signs of improvement in the Egyptian economy, serious challenges, and need for government action based on previous research and reports done by various sources.

Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Egypt’s Economy
American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, 31 March 2020
This research note studies monetary policies and macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19 in Egypt based on insights from AmCham Egypt's 23 sector-based committees as well as public statements by the Central Bank of Egypt, Ministry of Finance, and other Cabinet-level and government agencies.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Manufacturing Sector in Egypt
United Nations Industrial Development Organization, April 2020
This briefing note examines the impact of COVID-19 on the manufacturing industry, as well as policy recommendations and UN initiatives to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 in Egypt.

The Effect of Temperature Upon Transmission of COVID-19: Australia and Egypt Case Study.
SSRN, April 2020
This working paper is based on previous studies on the relationship between climate and the spread of germs and viruses. Australia and Egypt are models to confirm the relationship between temperature and coronavirus activity and spread. The paper aims to test that result in reality through maps of the monthly temperature average during the period from March to November 2020, through study of the case of Australia and Egypt.

Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism and Remittances: Insights from Egypt
International Food Policy Research, 1 April 2020
This article assesses the pandemic's economic impacts for Egypt. Household income, especially for the poor, will be hard-hit, linked to disruptions in tourism and declining remittances. The team provides initial policy insights for support to households and businesses.

In-Depth Look at Egypt’s Economic Sectors amid COVID-19 Outbreak
Egypt Today, 4 April 2020
This article provides a detailed look into each economic sector impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also reports on the economic measures and plans implemented by Egypt's government.

The COVID-19 Crisis in Egypt
OECD, 20 April 2020
This OECD update provides statistical evidence for the economic impact, policy reactions, and gender-based disparities due to the pandemic in Egypt.

Iraq

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Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Surgical Practice in Kurdistan, Iraq: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey
International Journal of Surgery Open, Date Unspecified
This article evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgeons' practices in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Coronavirus Damages Iraqi Economy with Fall in Tourism, Oil Prices
Al-Monitor, 9 March 2020
This article reports on the ways in which COVID-19 harms both the private and public sectors of the Iraqi economy.

COVID-19 in Iraq: The Virus of Social Inequality
OpenDemocracy, 1 April 2020
This article studies the ways in which COVID-19 has aggravated social inequality. It also assesses the role of solidarity amid the outbreak.

COVID 19: Assessing Vulnerabilities and Impacts on Iraq
Chatham House, 7 April 2020
This article is an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iraq, a country already in turmoil, facing a myriad of vulnerabilities due to corruption and a lack of governance.

Market Review: "Iraq, Oil Prices, and the Coronavirus"
Iraq-business news, 7 April 2020
This article reports on the global crash in oil prices and its impact on a crisis-stricken Iraq, recently hit by the COVID-19 outbreak.

COVID-19 Response in Iraq: ‘Our Domestic Violence Hotlines Keep Ringing’
Cordaid, 21 April 2020
This article explains Cordaid's response to the rise of domestic violence following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iraq and the measures taken to reach out to those affected and raise awareness about healthcare program.

Fighting COVID-19 Deepens Iraq’s Humanitarian Crisis
UNICEF, 22 April 2020
This article is an essay detailing the pre-existing humanitarian crisis in Iraq and the ways in which it worsened by COVID-19.

Jordan

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Resilience and Decent Work Can Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 on Jordan’s Labour Market
International Labor Organization, 26 March 2020
This article provides an assessment to better understand the scope of the COVID-19 challenge in Jordan as well as some of the pressing issues confronting workers. 

Rapid Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 on Vulnerable Women in Jordan
UN Women, April 2020
The report reviews the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on beneficiaries of UN Women Oasis centers in camp and non-camp settings. The assessment includes questions related to the economic situation; health concerns; safety and access to health services; violence against women; the roles of men and women within the household; and access to education.

Refugees at Risk in Jordan’s Response to COVID-19
Middle East Research and Information Project, 9 April 2020
This article reports on the impact of COVID-19 (including containment measures and pre-existing living conditions) on refugees in Jordan as well as Jordan's responses (international aid and funds from ongoing programs.)

Impact of Covid-19 on Vulnerable Populations in Jordan Urban Areas and Azraq
CARE International, 29 April 2020
This rapid needs assessment reports on the impact of both COVID‐19 and the containment measures and restrictions implemented by the Government of Jordan on CARE  Jordan’s beneficiaries, which include the elderly, pregnant and lactating women, people with disabilities (PwDs), and households with serious health risks and needs.

Kuwait

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COVID-19 Stressors on Migrant Workers in Kuwait: Cumulative Risk Considerations
BMJ Global Health, Date Unspecified
This article reports on the condition of migrant workers after being exposed to additional stressors of the virus and related responses. It provides a comprehensive qualitative cumulative risk assessment framework for migrant workers living in Kuwait.

Kuwait Props up Coronavirus-Hit Economy amid Low Oil Prices
Reuters, 31 March 2020
This article reports on the measures taken by Kuwait to deal with the effects of COVID-19 on the economy amid low oil prices.

UNDP Kuwait Response to Covid-19
UNDP, 28 April 2020
This article details UNDP's plan to tackle the implications of COVID-19 on national development, migrant workers, and gender-related dimensions.

Lebanon

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Lebanon’s Economy and Industry Suffer under Coronavirus Impact
Executive Magazine, 23 March 2020
This article reports on the impact of the pandemic on the pre-existing economic crisis in Lebanon.

Lebanon: COVID-19 Worsens Medical Supply Crisis
Human Rights Watch, 24 March 2020
This article studies the scarcity of medical supplies necessary to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Covid-19 Impact: What we know so far - Lebanon
International Planned Parenthood Federation, 31 March 2020
In this interview, Lina Sabra, the Executive Director of the Lebanese Association for Family Health (SALAMA), discusses the impact of COVID-19 on Lebanon.

COVID19: Impact on Lebanese Economy
International Journal of Science and Research, April 2020
This report analyzes the COVID-19 rise in Lebanon as well as the prevalent economic crises, response to COVID-19, expected economic impacts to the largest sectors of Lebanon and the choices which the government faces.

Lebanon: Refugees at Risk in Covid-19 Response
Human Rights Watch, 2 April 2020
This article evaluates the coercive environment and discriminatory policies implemented by Lebanese municipalities as part of their efforts to combat Covid-19, undermining the country’s public health response. It also highlights the responsibility the government has for refugee healthcare and obligations to protect the right to health.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Gender Equality in the Arab Region
United Nations, 6 April 2020
This report discusses proposals set forth by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and partner United Nations agencies for policies and programs to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women.

The Consequences of the Coronavirus in Lebanon
Arab America, 8 April 2020
This article reports on the government's response to the spread of the virus, the changes in Lebanese people's lifestyles and the impact of COVID-19 on refugees.

Impact of COVID-19 on Migrant Workers in Lebanon and What Employers Can Do about it
International Labour Organization, 15 April 2020
This report provides a summary of the particular vulnerability of migrant workers during the COVID-19 health emergency, with a focus on migrant domestic workers.

The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the Management of Cancer Patients in Lebanon: A Single Institutional Experience
Future Medecine, 23 April 2020
This article reports on the impact of COVID-19 on the management of cancer patients in Lebanon.  Through an institutional experience and specific practices, this article reports on cancer patients' behavior towards COVID-19 amidst a weakened healthcare system in Lebanon.

Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Healthcare of Older Adults: Insights from Lebanon (Middle East)
International Psychogeriatrics, 24 April 2020
This article reports on the local challenges to geropsychiatry practice in Lebanon after the pandemic and current solutions as cited in previous studies and research papers.

Libya

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Gender-Sensitive Prevention, Response and Management of COVID-19 Outbreak in Libya
UN Women, 20 March 2020
This article reports on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women based on  a survey examining the most significant health, social, and economic challenges facing women due to the emergence of the disease in Libya.

Libya: Detainees at Risk of Coronavirus Spread
Human Rights Watch, 29 March 2020
This article details the impact of the coronavirus spread on detainees in Libya as well as measures proposed by the UN to mitigate these effects.

The Impact of Coronavirus and the Continuing War on Tripoli and Western Libya
The Middle East Directions Programme, 16 April 2020
This article reports on the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the crisis in Tripoli and the western parts of Libya and destabilizes the economy. It also assesses a number of measures adopted by central and local authorities.

Libya: Historic Discrimination Threatens Right to Health of Minorities in the South amid COVID-19
Amnesty International, 20 April 2020
This article reports on the impact of the spread of COVID-19 on Libya's public health system, undermined by years of armed conflict and insecurity including attacks on medical facilities.

Impact of COVID-19 Restrictive Measures on Health Sector
World Health Organization, 23 April 2020
This article assesses COVID-19 restrictive measures on the health sector in Libya, taking into consideration the scale and urgency of the situation and the capacity of the health system.

Intensifying Shelling and COVID-19 Pandemic Creates ‘Perfect Storm’ in Libya
United Nations, 23 April 2020
This article reports on warnings issued by UN officials about a devastating impact of the coronavirus on people in Libya.

Libya: COVID-19 - Situation Report
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 27 April 2020
This situation report assesses the COVID-19 situation in Libya and its impact on health services in different regions.

Mauritania 

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Mauritania: Facing the Pandemic of COVID-19
ITUC Africa, 13 March 2020
This article reports on Mauritania's response to the pandemic, its restriction measures, as well as socio-economic incentives to cope with the pandemic's effects.

UNDP Mauritania
UNDP, 4 April 2020
This article provides a situational analysis of Mauritania during COVID-19 pandemic and details the prolonged response of the UNDP to cope with the implications of the pandemic. 

Morocco 

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Can Morocco Effectively Handle the COVID-19 Crisis? 
Chatham House, 6 April 2020 
This article discusses Morocco’s efforts to mitigate the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.  

COVID-19: Living Through a Pandemic in Morocco
Barcelona Institute for Global Health, 15 April 2020 
This article assesses the economic and social measures the Moroccan government adopted to tackle the problems posed by the pandemic.   

Coronavirus in Morocco Opens Possibilities for New Social Contracts
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 23 April 2020 
This article examines on measures taken by the Moroccan government to tackle the multilayered challenges of the pandemic with a focus on the unsustainability of certain policies aggravating social precarity. 

Coronavirus in Morocco: Economic and Social Implications 
Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 23 April 2020 
This article analyzes the economic and social challenges the COVID-19 outbreak posed to Morocco, as well as the government’s responses to these challenges.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19): Morocco Interrupting the Transmission by Ethics, Logistics, and Therapeutics Efforts 
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations, 28 April 2020 
This article examines the impact of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 in Morocco. It demonstrates that the various measures adopted by Morocco can be a suitable model for other developing countries.

Oman

[Back to Top] ​

Oman Approves Coronavirus Mitigation Measures
Arab News, 20 March 2020
This article reports on the set of measures taken by Oman to cope with the impact of coronavirus and a sharp decline in global oil prices.  

The Central Bank of Oman’s Response to COVID-19
CMS, 24 March 2020
This article summarizes some of the key COVID-19-related measures announced by the Omani government and how it might assist in providing much needed support to Omani businesses.

COVID-19 Outbreak in Oman: Model-Driven Impact Analysis and Challenges
MedRxiv, 31 March 2020
This paper provides a focused analysis of the COVID-19 situation and explains discrepancies between real cases and cases predicted by the simulation.

The Socio-economic Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Omani Women
UNFPA GCC, April 2020
This is a comprehensive needs-driven and women-centered study to analyze the current and potential impact of the pandemic on Omani women, and creating a linkage between these impacts and the related indicators of the sustainable development goals. Furthermore, the study, which is part of the Oman’s United Nations Country Team (UNCT) response plan, provided insights into the current challenges facing female entrepreneurs in the country, women working in the healthcare sector, and those with special needs, among others.

Palestine

[Back to Top] ​

The Use of Technology to Continue Learning in Palestine Disrupted with COVID-19
Asian Journal of Distance Education, Date Unspecified
This qualitative study examined how decision-makers and teachers have responded to offer education for all Palestinian students at the immediate onset of the COVID-19 outbreak and how technology is being used to continue education online. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants from parents, teachers, and decision-makers in Palestine.

Palestine’s COVID-19 Response Plan
World Health Organization Regional Office in the Middle East, 26 March 2020
This paper reports on the COVID-19 situation in Palestine, the government's strategic response, actions to date, as well as the need for financial support and diplomatic engagement.

COVID-19 Response Plan
OCHA, 27 March 2020
The COVID-19 Response Plan for the occupied Palestinian territory presents the joint strategy of the humanitarian community, including UNRWA, to respond to the public health needs and immediate humanitarian consequences of the pandemic in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. This plan seeks to mobilize support to implement the most urgent and critical activities over the next three months.

Structural Violence in the Era of a New Pandemic: The Case of the Gaza Strip
The Lancet, 27 March 2020
This article studies the impact of structural violence on the vulnerable Palestinian population already affected by the pandemic.

COVID-19: Gendered Impacts of the Pandemic in Palestine and Implications for Policy and Programming
UN Women, April 2020
This report analyzes the gendered impact of the pandemic on the Palestinian population.

The Gaza Strip and COVID-19: Preparing for the Worst
International Crisis Group, 1 April 2020
This report focuses on the vulnerability of the situation in Palestine, deeply affected by COVID-19. It reports on quarantine and containment efforts, the battered health care system, and need for urgent mitigating measures.

COVID-19 Restrictions Offer Window into Palestinian Experience
Human Rights Watch, 15 April 2020
This article reports on the lives of the Palestinian population during the pandemic and under the occupation.

Qatar

[Back to Top] ​

COVID-19 Qatar national Response Action Plan  
Ministry of Public Health, March 2020 
This plan sets out the Qatari government’s response to COVID-19.

Qatar: Protect Migrant Workers During Pandemic 
Human Rights Watch, 2 April 2020 
This article reports on the steps taken by the Qatari authorities to protect migrant workers, setting forth recommendations for further action.   

Qatar: Migrant Workers Illegally Expelled during COVID-19 Pandemic 
Amnesty International, 15 April 2020 
This article reports on the mistreatment suffered by migrant workers who were expelled during the pandemic without any explanation. 

Saudi Arabia

[Back to Top] ​

Updating Traditions: Saudi Arabia’s Coronavirus Response
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 26 March 2020
This article reports on Saudi Arabia's coronavirus response as it relates to nationalism, geopolitics, and global economic and political risks.

Saudi Arabia Turns to E-Commerce during Covid-19 Outbreak
Oxford Business Group, 1 April 2020
This article reports on the economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia, leading to a boost in e-commerce.

Impact of Corona Virus on the Health Care Services in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 10 April 2020
This article establishes the effect of coronavirus on the follow-up, control, screening, vaccination, and quaternary preventions indicators of quality healthcare. 

Saudi Arabia's Economic Update — April 2020
The World Bank, 16 April 2020
This report offers an update on Saudi Arabia's economic situation following the COVID-19 situation.

The impact of COVID-19 on the Banking Sector of Saudi Arabia 
KPMG, 23 April 2020
This report disucsses COVID-19 implication for the bank sector industry in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Tourism Sector Could See 35%-45% Decline this Year on Coronavirus
Reuters, 24 April 2020
This article reports on the negative impact COVID-19 has had on the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia by mentioning the last events affecting tourism and noting the statistics. 

Somalia

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Preparedness and Response Plan COVID-19
International Organization for Migration, April 2020
This report examines the COVID-19 situation in Somalia and the ways the IOM can contribute to national preparedness and response plan.

How Will Remittances Affect the Somali COVID-19 Response?
The London School of Economics and Political Science, 7 April 2020
This article reports on the effects of remittances on the Somali COVID-19 response.

COVID-19 in Somalia: A Conflict-Sensitive Response to Overlapping Crises
Saferworld, 15 April 2020
This article reports on the overlapping crises existing in Somalia, while providing some recommendations for aid agencies on how to respond to conflict sensitivity.

Somalia: COVID-19 Impact Update No.2 (As of 20 April 2020)
OCHA, 20 April 2020
This article provides an overview of the coronavirus situation in Somalia, the impact of the virus on education, economy, and humanitarian operations. It also reports on the government's humanitarian response to COVID-19.

Somalia Education Sector COVID-19 Response Plan
UNESCO, 22 April 2020
This report discusses a plan for preparing the education sector in Somalia for the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sudan

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Coronavirus Comes to Sudan
Atlantic Council, 30 March 2020
This article reports on Sudan's government prevention efforts as well as political costs incurred due to the coronavirus outbreak.

COVID-19 Socio-Economic Impact Assessment for Sudan
UNDP, April 2020
This report reviews the potential impact of COVID-19 on Sudan, seeking to identify socio-economic structural issues that have rendered the country fragile, and advocating for rebuilding better and more resilient. We explore the impact of the pandemic on economic activities and social sectors, identifying the most vulnerable, and offering suggestions for mitigating measures in line with demands of the revolution for dignity, freedom, and peace.

COVID-19 Spread Could Devastate Millions in Sudan
World Vision International, 14 April 2020
This article focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on children's health as well as World Vision's preparedness and planned response interventions.

Syria

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COVID-19 Pandemic: Syria’s Response and Healthcare Capacity 
Conflict Research Programme, LSE, 25 March 2020 
This memo presents a rapid assessment of the capacity of healthcare system in all parts of Syria to respond to and contain a COVID-19 outbreak.

The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic on Syrians: An Analysis By Syrian Civil Society 
Alnap, 10 April 2020 
This is a comprehensive briefing on the key challenges and concerns facing Syrians and sanctions and restrictions imposed on different regions after the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Impact of Syria’s Fragmentation on COVID-19 Response 
Project on Middle East Political Science, 21 April 2020 
This working paper highlights the several key challenges that impede any meaningful nation-wide disaster response coming from a contested region like Syria, having geographic and political fragmentation, and having to deal with the implications of COVID-19.  

Syria: Aid Restrictions Hinder Covid-19 Response 
Human Rights Watch. 28 April 2020 
This article reports on the aid restrictions preventing millions of people in northeast Syria to get treated for COVID-19. It assesses the general healthcare situation in Syria, details the role of the security council, and provides recommendations.

Tunisia

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Socio-Economic Impacts of Covid-19 on the Tunisian Economy
Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies, 7 March 2020
This paper is a case report analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the Tunisian economy. 

Tunisia Facing COVID-19: To Exceptional Circumstances, Exceptional Measures?
Arab Reform Initiative, 17 March 2020
This paper explores how Tunisia’s different institutions have responded to the COVID-19 crisis.

UNHCR Tunisia: COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan
UNHCR, 11 April 2020
This report assesses the progression of COVID-19 in Tunisia and its emergency preparedness and UNHCR's actions to step up its support.

Tunisia’s Citizens and Security Forces Come Together to Combat Coronavirus
United States Institute of Peace, 23 April 2020
This article focuses on the COVID-19 situation in Medenine, in southeast Tunisia, a microcosm of the tense community-police dynamic that prevails across Tunisia.

Setbacks for Freedom of Expression as Tunisia Fights COVID-19
Global Voices, 28 April 2020
This article reports on the attempts to silence Tunisian people who criticize the government's response to COVID-19.

Coronavirus and Tunisia’s Regional Economic Inequalities
Carnegie Endowment International, 29 April 2020
This article discusses the strict measures imposed by the Tunisian government to minimize COVID-19 infections. It also details the economic impact of those measures on the country’s long-marginalized interior regions. 

UAE

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COVID-19 Business Issues in the UAE
Squire Patton Boggs, 21 April 2020
This report summarizes the current status of stimulus and support packages in the UAE.

United Arab Emirates' Economic Update — April 2020
The World Bank, 16 April 2020
This article reports on the UAE's economic situation following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Informing United Arab Emirates’ Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
American University of Beirut, April 2020
This paper examines the UAE's health system and its response to COVID-19.

Yemen

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COVID-19: Impact on Yemen
ACAPS, 10 March 2020
ACAPS held a joint analysis session on 10 March 2020 with 21 participants from 12 organizations to map key risks that may impact the humanitarian situation of Yemenis for the coming six months. This report is based on the feedback and results of the workshop, publicly available data and reports, and key informant interviews with Yemeni experts.

Government, De Facto Authority and Rebel Governance in Times of COVID-19: The Case of Yemen
Project on Middle East Political Science, 20 April 2020
This article considers the case of Yemen, which shows how in conflict-torn or fragmented countries, governments, de facto authorities, and rebels may show a convergent, although not coordinated, response to COVID-19.

COVID-19 in Yemen: Preparedness Measures in a Fragile State
The Lancet Public Health, 23 April 2020
This article summarizes the current preparedness and response to COVID-19 in Yemen in terms of detection, prevention, and response in light of the recent government decisions to establish a national COVID-19 taskforce and response plan.

Mofeed Digest (October 2022)

The following digest summarizes the most important scholarly and policy publications, reports, and articles covering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the politics, economies, and societies of the Arab world. Mofeed Digest is produced by Mofeed Project Coordinator Serage Amatory.

[MENA | Algeria | Bahrain | Egypt| Iraq| Jordan| Kuwait| Lebanon| Libya| Morocco| Palestine| Qatar| Saudi Arabia| Somalia| Sudan| Syria| Tunisia| UAE| Yemen]

MENA

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Migrants’ Remittances in the Mediterranean– Evidence from Libya and Tunisia
European Institute of the Mediterranian, October 2022
This article highlights the wide range of consequences of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic as related to remittance outflows from Libya and Tunisia and finds that variables such as length of stay, reason for migrating and region of origin all influenced the likelihood of continued remittance-sending during the pandemic, as well as the likelihood of migrants receiving ‘reverse remittances’ from kin in their country of origin.

Effects of COVID-19 on Pediatric Cancer Care: A Multicenter Study of 11 Middle Eastern Countries
Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 12 October 2022 
This article highlights the major challenges facing pediatric cancer centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 11 Middle Eastern countries. It specifically studies access to cancer centers, continuity of anti-cancer therapy, hospital admission, and infection protection precautions during the pandemic.

A Review about COVID-19 in the MENA Region: Environmental Concerns and Machine Learning Applications
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 12 October 2022 
This article reviews data about the transmission of the new coronavirus in various settings to better understand virus transmission. It also highlights the most significant application of machine learning to forecast and diagnose COVID-19.

Sex Disparities in Food Consumption Patterns, Dietary Diversity and Determinants of Self-Reported Body Weight Changes Before and Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in 10 Arab Countries
Frontiers in Public Health, 28 October 2022 
This article assesses the gender-based differentials in food consumption patterns, dietary diversity, and the determinants favoring weight change before and amid the COVID-19 pandemic among Arab men and women from 10 Arab countries.

Could the New BA.2.75 Sub-Variant Cause the Emergence of a Global Epidemic of COVID-19? A Scoping Review
Infection and Drug Resistance, 31 October 2022 
This article studies a specific subtype of the SARs-CoV-2 virus and assesses the potential of the new subtype for causing another global mayhem.  

Algeria

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Short-Term Adverse Effects Following Booster Dose of Inactivated-Virus vs. Adenoviral-Vector COVID-19 Vaccines in Algeria: A Cross-Sectional Study of the General Population
Vaccines, 22 October 2022 
This article studies the side effects of COVID-19 booster vaccines to determine the eventual risk factors.

Bahrain

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Bahrain
Derasat, 24 October 2022 
This article focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bahraini Women and reports the findings of an online survey in which approximately 350 Bahraini women participated and a focus group session that examined women’s experience with remote work during the pandemic.

COVID -19 Vaccinations in Pregnancy: Save Mother and Baby from COVID-19 Pandemic
International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 28 October 2022 
This article reports the results of a retrospective study of pregnant women in Bahrain Defense Force Hospital, who were vaccinated against COVID-19 with Sinopharm or Pfizer/Bio NTech. It studies immune responses to vaccination, association with maternal and fetal factors, and the vertical transmission of antibodies.

Egypt

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Violence Against Healthcare Workers during Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study
Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 14 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the prevalence of workplace violence, its risk variables, and the pattern of violence directed toward healthcare workers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt.

Characteristics, Outcomes and Indicators of Severity for COVID-19 Among Sample of ESNA Quarantine Hospital’s Patients, Egypt: A Retrospective Study
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article analyzes the hematological, biochemical, and chest imaging findings of a cohort of COVID-19 patients in Egypt and sheds light on the predictors of COVID-19 severity.

Iraq

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Sequencing and Mutations Analysis of the First Recorded SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant during the Fourth Wave of Pandemic in Iraq
The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases, October 2022 
This article reports on a study conducted to sequence and molecularly characterize the representing samples from the early fourth COVID-19 wave in Iraq.

Genome Sequence of an Early Imported Case of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant (B.1.617.2 AY.122) in Iraq in April 2021
American Society for Microbiology, 17 October 2022 
This article reports the complete genome sequence of an early imported case of a SARS-CoV-2 strain in Iraq obtained from a flight passenger en route from India. 

COVID-19 Death Rates in Iran and Iraq: Possible Relations Between Iraq’s Pre-COVID-19 Mass Gatherings and Its Low Death Rate
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 21 October 2022 
This article focuses on the notable difference in death rates due to COVID-19 in Iran and Iraq. It also discusses the possible effect of Iraq pre-COVID-19 mass gatherings on the death rate.

Dynamic Inferences of Coronavirus Epidemiology Spread in Iraq Region
AIP Conference Proceedings 2400, 31 October 2022 
This article reflects on the authors’ development of a new epidemiological dynamical model-design that can simulate the spread of the coronavirus in Iraq.

Jordan

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Two Years of COVID-19 Pandemic in Jordan: A Focus on Epidemiology and Vaccination
Journal of Global Health, 1 October 2022 
This article aims to narrate the story of COVID-19 spread in Jordan from its onset and to document major events and vaccination efforts in the country.

Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Symptoms After Mild and Moderate SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Frontiers in Medicine, 3 October 2022 
This article investigates the prevalence of PCS (Post-COVID-19 Syndrome) in non-hospitalized subjects with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection in Jordan and also assesses the impact of age and gender on PCS.

New Symptoms and Prevalence of Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome among Nonhospitalized COVID-19 Survivors
Scientific Reports, 8 October 2022 
This article assesses post acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) symptoms according to the onset of the infection while evaluating the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on the symptoms of PACS.

Use of Traditional and Complementary Medicine for COVID-19 Prophylaxis Among Healthcare Professionals and Students in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study
PLOS One, 20 October 2022 
This article aims to assess the prevalence of use of traditional and complementary medicine for the prophylaxis of COVID-19 among healthcare professionals and students in Jordan.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical Activity of Jordanian Population
Health Science Reports, 28 October 2022 
This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical activity (PA) of the Jordanian population and reports that the pandemic had a positive impact on the healthy lifestyle of the Jordanian population which was attributed to their feeling of the importance of sports practice on the immune system and the availability of time for those activities.

Kuwait

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COVID-19 Environmental and Operational Impact for Public Transport in Kuwait
Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 3 October 2022 
This article studies the experience of the Kuwait public transport company KPTC and Kuwait Airways during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the major losses they incurred due to the decline of their users.

Using Absorbable Sutures for Traumatic Wound Closure to Avoid Additional Hospital Visits for Suture Removal During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Cureus, 6 October 2022 
This article studied the usage of absorbable sutures for wound closure treatments in Kuwait during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid requiring patients to come to hospitals frequently for wound dressings during the pandemic and the lockdown measures.

Lebanon

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Development of a Prediction Model for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases Among Older Syrian Refugees Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lebanon
Journal of the American Medical Association, 13 October 2022 
This article investigates the predictors and barriers to managing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) for older Syrian refugees in Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic. It lists predictors including age, no cash assistance, household water and food insecurity, and having multiple chronic diseases.

Observational Study of Factors Associated with Morbidity and Mortality from COVID-19 in Lebanon, 2020–2021
PLOS One, 19 October 2022 
This article probes for outcomes of severity of COVID-19 in Lebanese patients to investigate the association between clinical and metabolic variables and disease outcomes, mainly intubation and mortality.

Food Insecurity and Eating Habits of Lebanese Children Aged 5–11 Years during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Socioeconomic Crisis: A National Study
BMC Public Health, 29 October 2022 
This article aims to find the prevalence of food insecurity among Lebanese children during the COVID-19 pandemic and its correlates.

Libya

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Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) Right Atrioventricular and Vena Cava Thrombus on Top of a Myxoma. A Case Report
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 8 October 2022 
This article studies the relationship between a prior COVID-19 infection and the formation of thrombus inside cardiac chambers in the case of a cardiac tumor such as myxoma. It reports the specific case of a 21-year-old Libyan female who had a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and presented with a right atrioventricular thrombus associated with pulmonary embolism and thrombocytopenia.

Morocco 

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Covidly Humorous Memes: Coping Mechanisms and Power Dynamics of Humour during the Pandemic in Morocco
European Journal of Humour Research, 11 October 2022
This article analyzes memes posted on Moroccan Facebook pages during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and shows that the use of humor by Moroccans is not only motivated by achieving mirth but also vehicles critical views about issues of common concern debated in the digital public sphere.

Economic Resilience in Morocco during COVID-19
Economic Research Forum, 11 October 2022 
This article outlines the results of analysis assessing the effects of Morocco’s government actions during the COVID-19 pandemic on economic variables and raises questions about the design of future monetary and fiscal policies and their interaction in an environment of high public debt.

Factors Affecting Nursing and Health Technician Students' Satisfaction with Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Morocco: A Survey-Based Observational Study
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 17 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the satisfaction levels of nursing and health technician students in Morocco with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Palestine

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COVID-19 Vaccines and Epidemic Trends of COVID- 19 in Palestine Running Title: COVID- 19 Trends in Palestine 
Israa University Journal of Applied Sciences, 1 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the growth rate of COVID-19 in Palestine, as well as to compare the rates in the pre- and post-vaccination periods.

Feelings of Polish and Palestinian Students after Receiving Vaccinations against COVID-19
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 October 2022 
This article studies the opinions of Polish and Palestinian students after receiving vaccinations against COVID-19 and shows that almost 50% of research participants from both countries believe that vaccines are an effective antidote to the pandemic situation.

Qatar

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Cardiovascular Risks and Outcome in COVID-19 Positive Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Attending Primary Health Care Corporation in Qatar: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Mayo Clinic Proceedings Journal, 1 October 2022 
This article aims to report whether cardiovascular diseases increase the risk for hospitalization and further complications in COVID-19 patients in Qatar.

Protective Effect of Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Subvariants
New England Journal of Medicine, 27 October 2022 
This article shows that the protection of a previous COVID-19 infection against reinfection with a BA.4 or BA.5 subvariant was lower than that against reinfection with a BA.1 or BA.2 subvariant because of more waning of immune protection over time and a greater capacity for immune-system evasion with the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

Saudi Arabia

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Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Contact Lens Use and Practices in Saudi Arabia – A Cross Sectional Study
Sapporo Medical Journal, September 2022 
This article aims to assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact lens wear and usage in Saudi Arabia.

Awareness of Smell Exercise after Smell Dysfunction Related to COVID-19 in Alahsaa, Saudi Arabia
Archives of Otolaryngology and Rhinology, 21 September 2022 
This article aims to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19-related anosmia, hyposmia, and parosmia in Alahssa, Saudi Arabia and to establish the level of awareness of smell exercises there.

Experience of Nursing Interns during COVID-19 in Taif University, Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, October 2022 
This article aims to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nursing students in Taif, Saudi Arabia, during their interns at hospitals and how they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Logistic regression analysis for studying the impact of home quarantine on psychological health during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Alexandria Engineering Journal, October 2022 
This article uses multiple logistic regression model (MLR) to identify the impact of home quarantine on psychological stability of individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Soccer-Related Injuries Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Lockdown in Saudi Arabia: An Epidemiological Study
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 7 October 2022 
This article examines the number and nature of soccer injuries per thousand hours of exposure pre and post the COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia.

Impact of Social Determinants on COVID-19 Infections: A Comprehensive Study from Saudi Arabia Governorates
Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7 October 2022 
This article identifies the main factors affecting the variations between KSA governorates in the cumulative number of COVID-19 infections.

Knowledge of COVID-19 and Its Treatment Among Healthcare Worker in Al-Ahsa Region of Saudi Arabia
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 11 October 2022 
This article assesses the knowledge find of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region about the COVID-19 in terms of its symptoms, transmission, and treatment.

The Association Between Hair Loss and COVID-19: The Impact of Hair Loss After COVID-19 Infection on the Quality of Life Among Residents in Saudi Arabia
Cureus, 13 October 2022 
This article explores the prevalence of hair loss among recovered COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia and to determine the contributing factors. It also measures the impact of hair loss after COVID-19 on patients’ quality of life.

Challenges and Barriers to E-Learning Experienced by Trainers and Training Coordinators in the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Crisis
PLOS One, 17 October 2022 
This article explores the challenges of and barriers to e-learning experienced by trainers and training coordinators in the Saudi Ministry of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Economic Burden of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Frontiers in Public Health, 20 October 2022 
This article provides real-world data on the health economic burden of COVID-19 on the Saudi health sector and assesses the direct medical costs associated with the management of COVID-19 in the Kingdom.

Predictors of Illness Severity in COVID-19 Cases in Saudi Arabia
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article describes the clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and identifies factors associated with the severity of the illness.

Nutritional Behaviour of Adolescents and the Impact of COVID-19 on a Diet in Saudi Arabia
Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science, 26 October 2022 
This article aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, behavior and dietary patterns of adolescents and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions on these behaviors in Saudi Arabia.

Public Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination among Residents of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Online Study 
BMJ Open, 31 October 2022 
This article measures the public acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccinations among residents of Saudi Arabia and explores the factors that may play an important role in increasing the acceptance of vaccinations in future pandemics.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety and Depression among Physical Therapists in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
BMC Medical Education, November 2022 
This article reports the results of a survey conducted on physical therapists in Saudi Arabia to assess their level of anxiety and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that 63% and 55.5% of the studied therapists reported having symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively.

Somalia

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Loss of Taste and Smell are Common Clinical Characteristics of Patients with COVID-19 in Somalia: A Retrospective Double Centre Study
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article identifies the common clinical presentations and the evidence on the presence of ageusia and anosmia as emerging COVID-19 symptom to better inform COVID-19 patients and clinicians in Somalia.

Sudan

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Spatial–Temporal Trends of COVID-19 Infection and Mortality in Sudan
Scientific Reports, 7 October 2022 
This article reports the findings of a national descriptive study implemented to present the infection and mortality rates of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sudan.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Acceptance Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines in Sudan
Frontiers in Public Health, 10 October 2022 
This article assesses the behavior of health workers, medical students, and the general public in Sudan regarding COVID-19 vaccines and identifies  the determinants of their behavior and the factors increasing vaccine acceptance among them.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Labour Market in Sudan
Economic Research Forum, 25 October 2022 
This article draws on survey evidence of how Sudan’s labor market has fared during the COVID-19 pandemic and makes recommendations for policies to respond to the economic damage to households and firms.

The characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 among diabetic patients in Wad-Medani isolation center from September to December 2020: A cross-sectional study
Health Science Reports, 31 October 2022 
This article evaluates the characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 among diabetic patients in Sudan.

Syria

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to COVID-19 Infection, Related Behavior, Antibiotics Usage, and Resistance among Syrian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Health Science Reports, 3 October 2022
This article evaluates the Syrian population’s knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practice around the use of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Power Dynamics and Health Initiative Design as Determinants of Peacebuilding: A Case Study of the Syrian Conflict 
BMJ Global Health, 9 October 2022 
This article examines the role that existing power structures and health initiative characteristics play at various levels of a conflict in peacebuilding outcomes in the contexts of the Syrian war and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commitment to Protective Measures during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Syria: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study
PLOS One, 14 October 2022 
This article aims to evaluate the extent to which the Syrian population adheres to precautionary infection control measures and analyze the relationship between demographic variables and adherence in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Down Syndrome Outreach during the COVID-19 Pandemic – An Interprofessional Zoom® WhatsApp® Collaboration in Syria
Journal of Pediatric Healthcare, 16 October 2022 
This article reflects on the experience of children with Down Syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic given that they face increased risks of severe outcomes of the disease (e.g., respiratory symptoms, fever, and several medical complications).

Tunisia

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Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Health Care Workers in Tunisia
Research Square, 19 October 2022 
This working paper assesses the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Tunisia’s health care workers' work, psychological outcomes, and return to work indicators.

Compassion Fatigue among Frontline Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Tunisia
PLOS One, 27 October 2022 
This article measures compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF) levels and their predictors among Tunisian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

UAE

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Parents’ Views on the Acceptability of a COVID-19 Vaccine for Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Abu Dhabi-United Arab Emirates
Hayat Biotech, October 2022 
This article assesses the views of parents in the UAE on the acceptability of vaccines against COVID-19 for their children.

Psychological Distress among the Nursing Workforce in the United Arab Emirates: Comparing Levels before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Nursing Forum, 9 October 2022 
This article aims to determine the level of generalized psychological distress among nurses in the United Arab Emirates comparatively before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coinfections in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: A Descriptive Study from the United Arab Emirates
Infection and Drug Resistance, 21 October 2022 
This article aims to characterize the clinical and microbiological profiles of coinfections in patients with COVID-19 in the UAE.

Yemen

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Psychologists’ Perspective of Mental Health in Yemen during the Civil War and COVID-19: A Qualitative Inquiry
Current Psychology, 14 October 2022 
This article examines the current state of psychological problems from the perspectives of psychologists and psychiatrists in Yemen in light of the ongoing civil war and the COVID-19 pandemic.