Author: Virginia Pietromarchi
**Iran’s Presidential Race: Contrasting Visions for the Future** The Iranian presidential race has come down to two candidates with distinct visions for the country’s future: Saeed Jalili and Masoud Pezeshkian. Despite their differences, experts believe that their views are unlikely to bring significant changes to Iran’s foreign policy. Pezeshkian, a former health minister and surgeon, emerged on top in the first round of voting but fell short of the required majority, leading to a run-off against Jalili on July 5. Pezeshkian represents a more reformist approach and aims to renegotiate the nuclear deal to ease sanctions and tensions with the…
French Elections 2024: A New Political Era Summary: French voters are gearing up for a significant shift in the political landscape as they head to the polls to elect the members of the National Assembly in two rounds. President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to call for snap elections following a defeat to Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party has set the stage for a new era in French politics. Polls indicate a strong lead for the far-right NR party, with Macron’s centrist alliance lagging behind. If the trends hold, Macron may face challenges in governance with a potentially antagonistic prime minister.…
An American journalist, Evan Gershkovich from the Wall Street Journal, is facing spying charges in Russia, marking the first espionage case involving a foreign journalist since the Soviet Union. The trial is held behind closed doors, with Moscow accusing Gershkovich of acting as a US agent to collect sensitive data about a Russian military enterprise. The journalist denies the allegations and could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. Both the US administration and the Wall Street Journal refute the charges, calling them baseless. Gershkovich, a 32-year-old Russian-speaking journalist, has been held in Moscow’s Lefortovo prison since…
G7 Summit in Fasano, Italy: The recent G7 summit showcased a club of world leaders facing internal challenges, yet still standing strong in protecting Western interests. Despite domestic turmoil for many members, including France, Germany, the UK, Canada, and Japan, the G7 managed to unite in addressing threats to Western stability. Noteworthy decisions included a $50bn loan to Ukraine drawn from frozen Russian assets, a strong stance against Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and unified concerns over China’s economic competition. The club also faced criticism over exclusionary policies, showcased by the absence of “abortion” in the final communique. Shedding the ‘elitist’…
Bari, Italy – Italy is gearing up to put Africa at the forefront of discussions at this year’s Group of Seven (G7) leaders’ meeting, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni aiming to establish the country as a significant energy hub bridging Europe and Africa. However, experts have raised concerns about the clarity of vision and economic resources required to achieve this ambitious goal. The G7 summit, set to take place in the southern region of Puglia, will see twelve heads of state convene to address global politics. Themes like Africa, climate change, and development will dominate the initial sessions, highlighting Meloni’s…
Additional aid to Ukraine, the war in Gaza, and investment in Africa will dominate the agenda of the three-day forum. Bari, Italy – Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries are preparing for a three-day summit in the scenic southern region of Puglia (Apulia). The summit will commence on Thursday at the lavish Borgo Egnazia resort, known for its medieval village charm and frequented by celebrities like Madonna. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, this year’s summit host, will welcome leaders from the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom, along with representatives from the European…