Old Power vs. Youthful Hopes: The 2025 Global Disconnect

The world's leaders are graying, but their citizens are just getting started. Fifteen years after the Arab Spring, the streets of the Middle East and Africa remain a battleground between authoritarian legacies and future demands. While Gaza marks one month of a fragile ceasefire, the suffering underneath the headlines hasn't faded—it's only become more localized and quiet.

Echoes of Repression and Media Erasure

According to reports, Syria's Sednaya prison still stands as a haunting symbol of how the Assad regime broke its own people. Meanwhile, the narrative in Palestine is a struggle for visibility. Critics argue Western media coverage often erases the lived reality of Palestinians, even as the olive harvest suffers under prolonged occupation. For women in the region, the promises of 15 years ago remain unfulfilled, shadowed by the persistent weight of conflict.

The Generational Chasm in Africa and Beyond

In Africa, a striking demographic paradox is unfolding: the world's oldest leaders are governing the world's youngest populations. This disconnect doesn't just stall progress; it fuels deep-seated resentment among youth who don't see themselves in their rulers. Adding to global jitters, Donald Trump has reignited fears of a new arms race by questioning long-standing policies on nuclear testing. It's a move that could dismantle decades of non-proliferation efforts.