Yemen Policy Report # 3 - The Civil War in Yemen: Understanding the Actors
Yemen is in an on-going full-scale conflict since March 2015. The country is in a swamp of political violence that overshadows nearly all economic, social, and political determinations of the society.
Yemen Policy Report # 2 - Coup-proofing in Yemen: Saleh’s Military
In January 2011, Yemenis marched in the streets of Sana’a denouncing Ali Abdullah Saleh’s policies and economic mismanagement. In resemblance to the demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt, protestors demanded change and an end to Saleh’s rule over Yemen.
Mass Graves Uncovered in Raqqa: Thousands Found but Unidentified
The first week of July marked the discovery of a mass grave near the former Islamic State (IS) defacto capital, of Raqqa. As many as 200 bodies were discovered at this time, but the mass grave could have more than 850 bodies buried in it, many of whom were victims of the IS. These deaths, some more recent than others, could date back to when IS first captured the city in 2014. There are a series of graves that surround the city that have been uncovered in recent months.
Iran and Climate Refugees: an Alarming Situation
For past decades Iran has been suffering from an environmental crisis as a result of inefficient water and natural resources management and lack of enforcement of existing environmental regulations. This has led to constant drought-related water shortages and flooding throughout the country. The Iranian authorities, on their side, are blaming climate change and instrumentalizing their international sanctions as a justification for this crisis.