Singing for Peace in Mali

This article was written for and published by Oxford International Relations Society’s blog.

 

Music has a long history in Mali, and has been a part of the fabric of its history for thousands of years. From the griots, who were historians, storytellers, poets and musicians, to the tribal festivals and gatherings, to which poetry was an essential part, music and oral tradition played an essential role in ancient Malian identity and history.

What Price Stability? Jordan’s Balancing Act

This article originally appeared on Global Politics in August 2015

At a time when the Middle East appears to be crumbling Jordan appears to be standing firm – a beacon of hope in a burning region.  But is Jordan really as stable as it appears? Are we just turning a blind eye to the compromises that come with such stability at a time of such uncertainty in the region?