Dafna H. Rand joined Brookings to study the Middle East and North Africa. She highlights the urgency of ending the war in Gaza, the importance of Israel and its alliances, and criticizes the mistaken decisions of the U.S., such as the invasion of Iraq. She focuses on the U.S. influence in the region to promote prosperity and peace.
The inaugural episode of ‘Foresight Africa’ highlights the role of the UN at the 80th General Assembly, with reflections from leaders on global peace, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation. Achievements such as the fight against poverty and the empowerment of women are highlighted.
Young people from Generation Z are leading global protests against inequalities and lack of future in low-income countries, using social media such as TikTok and Instagram to demand social and political justice. Their claims, the result of deep indignation and contexts of corruption and unemployment, challenge the political and social status quo, characterized by the lack of recognized leadership and the use of social media.
Two years ago, Hamas attacked Israel, changing the region: Israel won battles but lost image; a peace agreement is possible after two years of war, although both sides are reluctant. Israel is in a constant state of war and Hamas is fighting for its political survival. The United States is a key partner in the conflict.
The Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing (QE) between 2020 and 2022, with $1.33 trillion in mortgage-backed securities purchases, significantly boosted U.S. housing prices, contributing to overall inflation. Housing inflation persists, reaching 5% in 2024 and 4% in 2025, defying expectations and raising the need to rethink the impact of the Fed’s actions on housing values.
