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Will the Al-Aqsa Flood affect the course of democracy in the Arab world? Has the prevailing authoritarianism in Arab countries ceased to be a necessity for the official Arab regime and the international powers that control it, especially in light of the projects being devised in the region following the genocidal war in Gaza? This study discusses and provides a critical analysis of the state of democracy in the Arab world in light of various criteria and indicators used by several Western democracy measurement centers and institutions. It examines the future of democracy in the Arab world following the genocidal war in Gaza, emphasizing that its impact will not be sudden, automatic, or immediate in the progress of democracy in the Arab world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research attempts to analyze Arabic heritage elements employed in Muhammad al‐Thubayti's poetry as his poetry highlights modern issues. Heritage becomes a cornerstone in al‐Thubayti's poetry for it produces new meanings and contexts. It is used in visionary and creative ways enabling him to shape his poetic experiences. Heritage is no longer sacred or static, but it is manipulated in a way that serves the poet's messages. Thus, this paper shows how al‐Thubayti explores the present frustrations and failures at individual and national levels by employing heritage and symbols balancing between his belonging to this heritage and his creative and experimental poetic experience. Through the intelligent adaptation of heritage, he makes connections between the past and modern life to reveal the dilemmas of the present and the glory of the past. The research's main contribution is to shed a new light into the race, milieu, and experience of al‐Thubayti's poetry through utilizing Arabic heritage. This research examines four poems taken from al‐Thubayti's diwan (poetry collection), Tahjit hulman, tahjit wahman [I Spell out a Dream, I Spell out an Illusion]. As a theoretical framework, the analysis of the poems is based on historical theory and formalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report urgently addresses the summary of the presentations, dialogues and discussions that took place during the annual symposium for MESC that was held by the Middle East Studies Center on 21-22/9/2024 in Amman. The Symposium entitled "Trends of Transformations in the Arab World 2025-2035". It sheds light on the political, security, social and economic strategic transformations that the Arab world is currently witnessing at the internal, inter- and external levels, with the threats, challenges, and opportunities they entail. The researchers stopped at the crises, problems, foreign interventions, and the extensive Israeli aggression against the Arab world and the Palestinian people. The participants saw a great responsibility on the shoulders of experts and researchers alongside Arab governments to bring about a qualitative shift in the mechanisms of political reform and secure democratic transition in the Arab world. They emphasized on the responsibility of all parties to achieve stability, development, and independence and confront external aggression, mainly from Israeli side. The researchers emphasized that the current and expected changes during the next decade present significant opportunities for the Arab world to achieve a qualitative leap. Despite the new challenges and problems, they create at the same level, these changes shift the rules imposed on the Arab world, and give it an opportunity to liberate itself and make independent decisions that serve the supreme interests of the Arab world. The report presented the most important results and recommendations reached by the researchers in this symposium, the most important of which are: 1) The call to prepare clear strategies and visions to re-build an effective Arab security system that responds to current international changes and to deal with the influence of external actors in shaping future regional security dynamics, 2) Working to enhance the status of the Arab world and its regional and international role, 3) Studying the reasons for the decline in cooperation and joint Arab action, and the low levels of coordination and solidarity, 4) Providing strategies capable of responding to challenges and contributing to achieving the aspirations of Arab youth, 5) Investing in the components of successful political reform and democratic transition, in a way that enhances the strength and resilience of Arab countries and ensures their stability, to avoid Arab societies reaching a dead end as happened earlier in 2011 and 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been worldwide growing interest on profiling the human fertility of populations because there has been a noticeable global decline in fertility rate, leading to increased attention toward reproductive health and fertility. The decline in fertility of population of the Arab World was investigated for the 10 years period between 2011–2021. The Arab World was classified into three regional blocks; Block-1 Arabian Peninsula countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen. Block-2 Fertile Crescent Arab countries: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and Gaza. Block-3 African Arab countries: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia. Data on fertility rates for the 10 years period between 2011–2021 were collected from the World Bank for Arab countries. Statistical analysis along with decline in the fertility rates were determined. Results: Fertility rates varied across Arab countries in 2011 and 2021, with notable decline ranging from 24.3% to 3.8%, except for Algeria, with zero decline. Countries that exhibited significant decline were Jordan (24.3%) followed by Iraq (22.2%) then Yemen (19.1%); Whereas, countries that exhibited slight fertility decline were Libya (3.8%), followed by Tunisia (4.5%), Lebanon (4.5%) and Kuwait (4.5%). On another note, lowest fertility rate was observed in UAE as maintained between 1.7% and 1.5% and the highest fertility rate was observed in Somalia as maintained between 7.3% and 6.3% for 2011 and 2021 respectively. Conclusion: The present study reveals the declining-trend in fertility rate across Arab countries, influenced by variable factors. Therefore, we recommend to the Council of the Health Ministries in the Arab-League to focus on investigating the fertility decline as an important parameter for public health in the Arab world to maintain natural balanced fertility rate. As some non-biological factors surrounding the Arabian region, such as instability, war, migration, the present study did not aim to include the influence of war and migration on fertility because both war and migration are non-biological external factors and both are not among the WHO criteria for fertility determination which based of the population growth rate of population under normal living conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Industrial heritage is considered an essential part of cultural heritage in the world. This heritage suffers from continued marginalisation in the Arab world, particularly in Jordan, where many industrial heritage sites have not been protected or studied well due to the lack of a clear definition of cultural heritage. Most of these sites, built in the 20th century, are gradually disappearing or scheduled for demolition. This paper explores the de-industrialisation discourse and the loss of modern industrial heritage in the Arab world, especially in Jordan. Design/methodology/approach: This research investigates the modern industrial heritage in Jordan as a case study in the Arab world. A comprehensive understanding of the industrial heritage has been obtained by adopting a case study approach and using a reconnaissance survey of potential industrial heritage sites in Jordan. Findings: Seven categories were used in the analysis of the de-industrialisation phenomenon of heritage sites: ownership, location, design and types; structure, significance, deterioration and physical condition and conservation attempts and alterations. Three main approaches to industrial heritage were identified: demolition, occasional maintenance and rare examples of conservation and adaptive reuse. Research limitations/implications: This study sheds light on the ownership issue of industrial structures in Jordan and invites policymakers, relevant authorities, private organisations and the public to consider the challenges and impact of de-industrialisation of such sites. Originality/value: This research raises awareness of the de-industrialisation discourse, and highlights the value of industrial architecture dating back to the modernity period, which was short-lived in Jordan. It also calls for serious consideration of these sites to support sustainable development in the Arab World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis review provides insight into the contemporary challenges and initiatives in mental health care across Egypt, the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region. It examines the structural barriers, including fragmented public health systems and inadequate resource allocation, which hinder access to mental health services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, prompting innovative approaches like telepsychiatry and the establishment of specialized psychiatric hospitals. Despite advancements in psychiatric education and research, disparities persist, particularly in rural mental health care. Limited funding, workforce shortages, and barriers to accessing medications and post-hospitalization support further compound the issue. International and local efforts aim to address these challenges, with a focus on enhancing child and adolescent mental health services and supporting populations affected by the refugee crisis. Policy reforms, increased financial allocation, and workforce development are essential for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring equitable access to quality mental health care throughout the MENA region. This review underscores the urgent need for collaborative action to improve mental health outcomes and reduce disparities in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its effort to adapt to the changes witnessed in the Arab world during what is known as the Arab Spring, Political science has developed new research mechanisms to describe and analyze such phenomena. The deep connection with the Arab environment has led for the reassessment of concepts with regards to their new meanings, and for approaches to be adapted to this unique context. The study thus seeks to highlight the necessity of establishing an Arab school of political science that addresses these concepts and develop approaches suited to the Arab context, avoiding inappropriate application of research tools that were developed in different environments that are no longer suitable for the distinct political, social, economic, and research characteristics of the Arab world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article retraces the advent of psychoanalysis in Egypt and the way in which it has failed to differentiate itself from medical and academic models, remaining dominated by the figure of the persecuting Master outside its ranks and the paternal Master within them. It then goes on to discuss the arguments typically set forward to explain resistance to psychoanalysis in Egypt and the Arab world in general, and this with an aim to both relativizing and exploring such positions. Such resistance can indeed be identified not only within the sphere of the demand for analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recently, there has been worldwide growing interest on profiling the human fertility of populations because there has been a noticeable global decline in fertility rate, leading to increased attention toward reproductive health and fertility. The decline in fertility of population of the Arab World was investigated for the 10 years period between 2011–2021. The Arab World was classified into three regional blocks; Block-1 Arabian Peninsula countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Yemen. Block-2 Fertile Crescent Arab countries: Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and Gaza. Block-3 African Arab countries: Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia. Data on fertility rates for the 10 years period between 2011–2021 were collected from the World Bank for Arab countries. Statistical analysis along with decline in the fertility rates were determined. Results: Fertility rates varied across Arab countries in 2011 and 2021, with notable decline ranging from 24.3% to 3.8%, except for Algeria, with zero decline. Countries that exhibited significant decline were Jordan (24.3%) followed by Iraq (22.2%) then Yemen (19.1%); Whereas, countries that exhibited slight fertility decline were Libya (3.8%), followed by Tunisia (4.5%), Lebanon (4.5%) and Kuwait (4.5%). On another note, lowest fertility rate was observed in UAE as maintained between 1.7% and 1.5% and the highest fertility rate was observed in Somalia as maintained between 7.3% and 6.3% for 2011 and 2021 respectively. Conclusion: The present study reveals the declining-trend in fertility rate across Arab countries, influenced by variable factors. Therefore, we recommend to the Council of the Health Ministries in the Arab-League to focus on investigating the fertility decline as an important parameter for public health in the Arab world to maintain natural balanced fertility rate. As some non-biological factors surrounding the Arabian region, such as instability, war, migration, the present study did not aim to include the influence of war and migration on fertility because both war and migration are non-biological external factors and both are not among the WHO criteria for fertility determination which based of the population growth rate of population under normal living conditions.

Abstract University–Industry Collaborations (UIC) are increasingly recognized as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. While numerous studies have been conducted on this topic, this paper specifically focuses on UIC in the Arab World. The aim of this study is to explore the establishment of successful UIC by conducting a review of existing literature to identify and synthesize key factors that enable collaborative innovation between industry and universities. The findings are summarized into six main themes: the importance of UIC, barriers to UIC, gaps between universities and industry in the Arab World, partnerships and sustainable growth, current trends and perspectives, and future agenda for Arab countries. These themes are elaborated on and used to summarize results from the reviewed studies regarding facilitators of collaborative innovation. The contribution of this work lies in enhancing the existing body of literature and knowledge regarding collaboration between higher education and industry in the Arab World. This research presents specific measures that can be implemented to ensure successful UIC in the future. Its outcomes are significant for policymakers, academics, and industry experts in the Arab region, who aspire to form productive UIC partnerships that encourage economic development and innovation.

This paper presents and autoethnographically analyzes three key sites in which the author—a Lebanese "Arabo-Muslim man"—failed to interpellate the lifeworlds of Lebanese "Arabo-Muslim" female participants during a research project in Lebanon: the public-private divide, gender, and the autonomous subject. Specifically, the article identifies key forces that produce this failure, including education, presence in the Westernized university, Westernized secularization, social class, family background, and urbanity, all situated within the larger structures of modernity/coloniality. Doing this, the article grates against the assumption that researchers who share a "race," citizenship, language, or ethnicity and who are "from" the Arab region are de facto well placed to pursue decolonial knowledge production alongside the region and its dwellers. The article consequently posits the possibility of unlearning and relearning—disrupting this failure—through immersive embodied listening fieldwork within the material space of the Arab world, undoing the formation of an alienated, fractured, Westernized self. Moving beyond the cognitive and theoretical to the material, experiential, and embodied, the article accordingly underlines reflexive listening fieldwork's potential as a generative site (among others) from which alternative knowledges of/with/on the global South(s) can emerge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite Greece's centrality in Eastern Mediterranean history and politics, the evolution, characteristics, and rationale behind the country's relations with the Arab world have yet to be identified. This article examines post-World War II Greek foreign policy towards the Arab world across four key periods (1945–80; 1981–89; 1990–2018; and 2019 onwards). It builds on a historical institutionalist approach to argue that Greece's relationship with the Arab world has remained a pillar of the country's diplomatic strategy, albeit instrumentalised in terms of Greece's two main foreign policy goals in the post-World War II era: maintaining the country's Western orientation and navigating the vicissitudes of Greek-Turkish relations. Thus, the Arab world has traditionally been approached by Greek policymakers in a profit maximization manner that sought to either amplify Greece's relationship with Western powers or respond to Turkish initiatives in the region. Aiming to provide the first systematic overview of Greek diplomatic strategy towards the Arab world, the article highlights the importance of path dependence in evaluating Greek foreign policy initiatives towards the Middle East. It also seeks to contextualize Greece's current attempts to forge a proactive role across the region by providing necessary historic nuance and a comparative perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper examines the effects of technological infrastructure and a business-friendly environment on economic growth in the Arab world from 2004 to 2021 using a detailed panel data analysis approach. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study chooses the fixed effect model based on the Hausman test with additional diagnostic tests confirming the absence of serial correlation and heteroscedasticity employing fixed and random effect models on data from thirteen Arab countries. Findings: Findings reveal a negative relationship between ease of doing business and GDP growth (Gross Domestic Product) suggesting that improvements in the business environment paradoxically decrease economic growth. Conversely, a positive relationship exists between the human development index and economic growth underscoring the significance of human capital. Notably, no significant relationship is detected between technological infrastructure and economic growth. Conclusion: The study concludes that regulatory reforms and human capital investment are pivotal for economic growth in the Arab world challenging the assumed positive impact of ease of doing business on economic expansion. It underscores the need for a strategic focus on developing human resources and technological infrastructure to foster sustainable economic growth. Contribution to the Literature: This research contributes to the economic literature by highlighting the nuanced effects of the ease of doing business and the essential role of human capital in driving economic growth within the Arab region offering new insights for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University–Industry Collaborations (UIC) are increasingly recognized as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. While numerous studies have been conducted on this topic, this paper specifically focuses on UIC in the Arab World. The aim of this study is to explore the establishment of successful UIC by conducting a review of existing literature to identify and synthesize key factors that enable collaborative innovation between industry and universities. The findings are summarized into six main themes: the importance of UIC, barriers to UIC, gaps between universities and industry in the Arab World, partnerships and sustainable growth, current trends and perspectives, and future agenda for Arab countries. These themes are elaborated on and used to summarize results from the reviewed studies regarding facilitators of collaborative innovation. The contribution of this work lies in enhancing the existing body of literature and knowledge regarding collaboration between higher education and industry in the Arab World. This research presents specific measures that can be implemented to ensure successful UIC in the future. Its outcomes are significant for policymakers, academics, and industry experts in the Arab region, who aspire to form productive UIC partnerships that encourage economic development and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Al Bashaer Economic Journal is the property of Al Bashaer Economic Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Once broadly applied, the term “tribe” has been discredited and is now rarely used in the social sciences. Critics argue that the concept is vague, is evocative of primitive and backwards connotations, and has been inappropriately applied to societies that are not “tribal.” While these criticisms are well-founded and legitimate, I argue in this Perspective piece that we must not abandon the study of tribes in the Arab world. The concept of “tribe” continues to be salient for Arab citizens and one that they aptly assign to themselves. To address criticisms of previous studies, I offer three ways to reform scholarly pursuit on tribes: (1) adopting a thin conception of tribe (2) treating the concept as a dynamic not static unit and (3) being led by on-the-ground reality and not by theoretical biases regarding the applicability of this term.

Abstract Academic Entitlement (AE) is the expectation by students to receive high grades or preferential treatment without significant effort. Exploring AE from faculty perspective has not been investigated in Arab colleges of pharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions towards student AE among pharmacy faculty in the Arab World. A cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous, electronic survey was sent to pharmacy faculty across pharmacy colleges in Arab countries. The survey collected demographic data, an AE measure including 17 items reflecting seven AE components, and faculty perceptions and perceived reasons for AE. A total of 345 responses were collected. The AE level was moderate (46.05 ±7.29), and the highest scores among its components were for customer service expectation (62%) and responsibility avoidance (59%). In multiple linear regression, AE showed positive significant association with faculty in clinical pharmacy departments and those having fewer years of experience. Most common complaints heard by faculty from students were requests to turn in assignments late (90%), while the most common communication issues faculty faced with students were unprofessional verbal communication (58%) and unprofessional messages on social media (57%). Poor admission criteria (40%) and existence of multiple private colleges of pharmacy (37%) were the most common perceived reasons for AE by participating faculty. This study reveals moderate AE experienced by pharmacy faculty in the Arab World, as well as common complaints, communication issues, and AE reasons. In collaboration with other stakeholders, faculty play an important role in indicating expectations from students regarding AE, and research is warranted to check if such interventions reduce AE among pharmacy students.

Copyright of Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the property of World Health Organization and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hand hygiene is a standard public health practice for limiting the spread of infectious diseases, yet they are still not routine global health behaviours. This review aimed to examine the effectiveness of various hand hygiene interventions conducted across the League of Arab States, identify gaps in the existing literature, and propose areas for future research and intervention development. A scoping review was conducted across 16 databases for relevant publications published up to and including October 2023. Forty studies met the inclusion criteria; of these, 34 were hospital-based and six community-based. Of the reviewed studies, 24 provided adequate details that would enable replication of their intervention. Eighteen of the studies used some variation of the World Health Organization's Five Moments for intervention content or assessment. More than half (N = 25) reported healthcare worker or student hand hygiene behaviours as an outcome and 15 studies also included some form of patient-centred outcomes. Six studies specified the use of theory or framework for their evaluation design or intervention content, and four studies mentioned use of local government guidelines or recommendations. Future research should focus on bridging the literature gaps by emphasizing community-based studies and integrating cultural nuances into intervention designs. Additionally, applying theoretical frameworks to hand hygiene studies could enhance understanding and effectiveness, ensuring sustainable improvements in hygiene practices across diverse settings in the League of Arab States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following pages represent an endeavor to explain why Dewey’s understanding of democracy, education, and religion implies great relevance for understanding the present ArabIslamic crisis. The historicism of Abdallah Laroui, the social theory of Hisham Sharabi, and the political anthropology of Abdellah Hammoudi emphasize that the persistence of political authoritarianism in the Arab world reflects a malaise in the culture or society and above all a crisis of education — an education that remains patriarchal or neo-patriarchal, emphasizing the communal and undermining the individual. The thinkers mentioned above explain that a reform of Demos cannot come about without a reform of Culture. This is another reason John Dewey’s meditations on democracy and education, or democracy as a way of life, are of great importance for today’s Arab societies. Basically, this paper deals with the relevance of Dewey’s work and shows why we cannot achieve a democratic transition without a cultural transition, which includes an education strategy regarding democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majority respect for the political rights of minorities is an important value undergirding peace and political stability in societies. This study examines whether intolerance for minority political rights affects the likelihood that an individual has engaged in violent activities for political causes. Using public opinion data from 11 Arab countries, the study finds that Muslim residents who interpret Islam to mandate inferior political rights to their non-Muslims compatriots are more likely to have engaged in political violence in the past three years. Moreover, the effect of attitudes toward non-Muslim political rights on engagement in political violence is unaffected by subject support for Islamic government/rule, attitudes about democracy and Islamic government, interpretation of Shari'a and general intolerance of or bigotry against non-Muslims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic Entitlement (AE) is the expectation by students to receive high grades or preferential treatment without significant effort. Exploring AE from faculty perspective has not been investigated in Arab colleges of pharmacy. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and perceptions towards student AE among pharmacy faculty in the Arab World. A cross-sectional, self-administered, anonymous, electronic survey was sent to pharmacy faculty across pharmacy colleges in Arab countries. The survey collected demographic data, an AE measure including 17 items reflecting seven AE components, and faculty perceptions and perceived reasons for AE. A total of 345 responses were collected. The AE level was moderate (46.05 ±7.29), and the highest scores among its components were for customer service expectation (62%) and responsibility avoidance (59%). In multiple linear regression, AE showed positive significant association with faculty in clinical pharmacy departments and those having fewer years of experience. Most common complaints heard by faculty from students were requests to turn in assignments late (90%), while the most common communication issues faculty faced with students were unprofessional verbal communication (58%) and unprofessional messages on social media (57%). Poor admission criteria (40%) and existence of multiple private colleges of pharmacy (37%) were the most common perceived reasons for AE by participating faculty. This study reveals moderate AE experienced by pharmacy faculty in the Arab World, as well as common complaints, communication issues, and AE reasons. In collaboration with other stakeholders, faculty play an important role in indicating expectations from students regarding AE, and research is warranted to check if such interventions reduce AE among pharmacy students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Twenty-two Arab countries comprise the League of Arab States. While united in Arab identity, diversities among these countries exist at many levels. Conducting and publishing research in the Arabic speaking countries is an essential pillar for improving the status of the nursing profession. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the current status, trends, challenges, and opportunities of nursing research in Arab countries. Methodology: An integrative review was conducted using (1) Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office Database Journals Directory (IMEMR), (2) the Iraqi Academic Scientific Journals Database (IASJD), (3) Ulrichsweb (UW), (4) The Geneva Foundation for Medical Education and Research/Middle Eastern Journals (GFMER), (5) the Nursing Journal Directory (NJD), (6) the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and (7) Google Scholar. Journals and articles that met inclusion criteria were accessed, retrieved, reviewed, and subjected to content analysis by three authors, two of which were fluent in English, French, and Arabic languages. A third author fluent in all three languages confirmed the findings. Results: Nursing research in Arabic-speaking countries has evolved over the past decades but is still lacking compared to global nursing research. Moreover, it was found to be largely situated within academic institutions and linked to tenure and promotion requirements. Conclusion: Nursing journals in Arabic-speaking countries do not adequately represent that overall region and are limited in access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To conduct a systematic review to identify the impact of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals within the Arab world. Method: A PRISMA-guided systematic search for HRQoL studies in Arab populations was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO. Relevant studies were critically appraised using the STROBE statement checklist. Results: A total of five studies were included. Three studies originated from Saudi Arabia, one from Jordan and one from Tunisia. The studies consistently demonstrated lower (poorer) HRQoL in patients with DFU, and worse HRQoL compared with both patients with diabetes and no DFU, and with healthy subjects. Conclusion: This review confirmed the negative impact of DFU on HRQoL in individuals with diabetes. It also highlights the scarcity of HRQoL studies from the Arab world. However, given that all studies included were conducted between 2013–2019, this could reflect a growing interest in DFU and HRQoL in the Arab world, and could potentially indicate that more studies will follow. In light of this, there is a need for a renewed focus on the completion of a high-quality standardised approach to research in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory meta-analysis aims to investigate the current trends in Arab communication research by studying a sample of media and communication articles published in Arab academic journals between 2000 and 2021. The results reveal an increase in the number of published articles after 2011, with a more significant surge after 2016. Egyptian journals exhibited the highest publication rate among all journals. Arab researchers predominantly focused on journalism, followed by mass communication and media studies. Most of the articles analysed lacked a theoretical foundation, and quantitative methods and surveys were frequently employed for data analysis while qualitative methods, particularly personal interviews, were less common. Traditional media, such as television and newspapers, were the most discussed media platforms, followed by social media networks such as Facebook. Geographically, African Arab countries, notably Egypt and Algeria, dominated in terms of published articles and discussions related to these countries, surpassing Asian Arabic countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saudi Medical Journal is the property of Saudi Medical Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This report reviews the proceedings of the scientific symposium held by the Middle East Studies Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, 21-22/11/2023, entitled "The International Status and Role of the Arab World, Reality and Future." It presents the most essential conclusions in the opening speeches and scientific papers presented by academics, politicians, and experts from the Arab world in the different symposium sessions. The first session was titled The International Status and Role, political and Civilizational Elements and Tools in the Arab World, the second session was on the Repercussions of the Economic and Social Reality and Arab-Arab Relations, and the third session discussed the regional and international Transformations and their implications for the global status and role of the Arab world. The fourth session forecasted the potential of a renaissance in international status and role: opportunities, capabilities, and challenges, while the fifth session sought to present the Arab vision for achieving international status and role and its strategies. In the end, the report presents the most important conclusions and recommendations of the symposium and its discussions, including essential transformations at the Arab national levels in the political and economic structures to achieve geopolitical power capable of supporting international standing for Arabs. It also includes the necessity of adopting a new and advanced Arab vision in dealing with the ongoing regional and global transformations with depth and investment. The Arab world should have a role in influencing the outcomes of these transformations in a way that serves the highest interests of the Arab people. It calls for the crystallization of an Arab renaissance, a humanitarian and civilized vision that communicates with the countries and peoples of the region. And reconsidering the Palestinian issue as a central issue for the Arabs, as it is an element of consensus between peoples and official regimes. It called for reconsidering Israel as the primary source of threat to the security and stability of the region, especially after the battle of the "Al-Aqsa Flood." It called for adopting a new approach to support the Palestinian people in confronting the Israeli occupation, liberating their land and establishing their independent state on their land, achieving the return of refugees, and exercising their right to selfdetermination. It is to recall the need to formulate a comprehensive, global civilizational vision to achieve international status and role during 2024-2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This debate was part of the conference "Internationalizing German Communication Studies: Learning from the World" in Erfurt, Germany, in March 2024. It featured an in-depth dialogue with scholars from South Africa, Brazil and Qatar about approaches to internationalization in their respective academic communities. The aim was to learn about the current state of internationalization in communication studies around the world, particularly in places often termed the "Global South", and to understand their discourses, respective challenges, and opportunities for internationalization. The comparative perspective applied here allows for a deeper understanding of power asymmetries, language and translation issues, and the pros and cons of intellectual autonomy. It also addresses how to overcome "islandization" on the path to a true and just, or a "deep" internationalization in communication studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has become a global challenge due to its critical impact on the natural as well as the human environment. This article focuses on the effects of climate change in the Middle East (ME) region and the strategies suggested to combat its impacts. The research involves reviewing and analyzing published articles from major databases in this domain. The literature shows that countries in the ME region, with a particular focus on the Arab countries, have also realized that urgent actions should be taken to decrease climate change threats. Several countries are committing to international principles, supporting the global effort against climate change, such as adopting renewable sources for efficient energy production. Moreover, some of the ME region countries are considered a hub for emitting CO2 because of their hot climate, which requires the use of energy for air-conditioning, highwater desalination demands due to water scarcity, and the dependence on energy-exhaustive industries. Recently, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have proposed strict measures to reduce their energy consumption and move towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy. Some countries have also funded projects for developing green buildings to create a sustainable environment. However, this paper emphasizes the need to establish strict regulations to impose policies and practices to achieve the global temperature rise limit below 1.5oC. Moreover, all ME countries must invest in renewable energy sources by promoting education, research, and implementing carbon pricing mechanisms. Nevertheless, as part of the Paris Agreement and other international commitments, there is a growing need to develop more socioeconomic policies to meet this vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This debate was part of the conference “Internationalizing German Communication Studies: Learning from the World” in Erfurt, Germany, in March 2024. It featured an in-depth dialogue with scholars from South Africa, Brazil and Qatar about approaches to internationalization in their respective academic communities. The aim was to learn about the current state of internationalization in communication studies around the world, particularly in places often termed the “Global South”, and to understand their discourses, respective challenges, and opportunities for internationalization. The comparative perspective applied here allows for a deeper understanding of power asymmetries, language and translation issues, and the pros and cons of intellectual autonomy. It also addresses how to overcome “islandization” on the path to a true and just, or a “deep” internationalization in communication studies.

Since the start of the Arab Spring, no topic has been more polarizing to elites than secularism, the civil state, and political Islam. In this article, I will analyze the academic literature written by researchers and sometimes political activists in journals published in the Arab world on this topic. I will conduct a quantitative (bibliometric) and qualitative analysis of this literature (149 articles), in order to try to answer the following questions: To which extent is there interest in these topics in academic journals? How did these writers address the topic of secularism or the civil state? How do leftist/secular/liberal trends on the one hand and Islamic trends on the other interact with the issue of secularism? What type of journals are these?

Abstract Background Psychopathy has been described as “the first personality disorder to be recognized in psychiatry”. It has three core features: affective, interpersonal, and behavioral. The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy (LSRP) scale is used to screen for and measure psychopathy. Our study aims to validate the LSRP as a tool to measure psychopathy in the non-institutionalized Lebanese population. Methods We surveyed Lebanese individuals residing in Lebanon and aged 18 through 65. It was a convenience sample collected via an online survey. 534 Lebanese participants completed the survey and were included in our analyses. Nearly 80% were female, 90% were college educated, and 60% were employed. We used exploratory graph analysis and confirmatory factor analyses to measure internal validity of the LSRP. We also used the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised (HEXACO-PI-R), the Subtypes of Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire (STAB), and the Short version of the Urgency, Premeditation (lack of), Perseverance (lack of), Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency, Impulsive Behavior Scale (S-UPPS-P) to measure external validity of LSRP. Results The exploratory graph analysis showed that the LSRP had a three-factor structure (Egocentric, Callous and Antisocial) in the Lebanese population. This three-factor structure (RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.83, SRMR = 0.06) yielded a better fit than the two-factor, and three-factor Brinkley models. The LSRP was negatively correlated with the Honesty-Humility dimension of the HEXACO-PI-R and positively correlated with the STAB and S-UPPS-P subscales. Conclusions The LSRP scale is a valid measure of psychopathy in the Lebanese non-institutionalized population, adding to the currently limited literature addressing psychopathy in the Arab World.

The Arab world faces serious challenges in the protection of human rights. Merely criticising government policies towards human rights has long meant risking one's freedom, if not life. Yet despite the myriad threats, there is a long and powerful history of efforts to address human rights from multiple perspectives that has largely been ignored outside the region (and even by many human rights scholars and practitioners within it), in good measure because most of it occurs in Arabic, which most international human rights scholars do not read. This paper critically reviews Arab human rights publications written in Arabic as a first attempt towards elucidating the diversity and depth of human rights literature in the Arab world for the broader field of human rights studies. Bringing this knowledge to the international human rights community is crucial to helping develop a human rights discourse in and for the Arab world that can positively impact research, advocacy and governance despite the broad environment of authoritarian retrenchment across the region. In so doing, our research offers new knowledge for developing human rights studies in trajectories that can have more direct impact on human rights struggles on the ground globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on the Arab world is full of accounts on how authoritarian regimes manipulate the secular-Islamist cleavage to remain in power. This literature, however, has two gaps. First, there is no comparative data on the regional patterns of inclusion and exclusion that characterize regime-opposition relations in the Arab world. Second, studies usually do not account for the different shades of secular and Islamist groups. This research note bridges both gaps by introducing an original dataset: the Arab Opposition Power Relations dataset. The dataset codes power relations between four secular and Islamist groups in 13 Arab countries between 2005 and 2016 to a total of 624 group observations. Descriptive analysis of the dataset illustrates the changing patterns of inclusion and exclusion within and across countries both before and after the 2011 Arab uprisings. In so doing, the dataset opens new research frontiers for the vibrant literature on the resilience of authoritarianism in the Arab world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychopathy has been described as "the first personality disorder to be recognized in psychiatry". It has three core features: affective, interpersonal, and behavioral. The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy (LSRP) scale is used to screen for and measure psychopathy. Our study aims to validate the LSRP as a tool to measure psychopathy in the non-institutionalized Lebanese population. Methods: We surveyed Lebanese individuals residing in Lebanon and aged 18 through 65. It was a convenience sample collected via an online survey. 534 Lebanese participants completed the survey and were included in our analyses. Nearly 80% were female, 90% were college educated, and 60% were employed. We used exploratory graph analysis and confirmatory factor analyses to measure internal validity of the LSRP. We also used the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised (HEXACO-PI-R), the Subtypes of Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire (STAB), and the Short version of the Urgency, Premeditation (lack of), Perseverance (lack of), Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency, Impulsive Behavior Scale (S-UPPS-P) to measure external validity of LSRP. Results: The exploratory graph analysis showed that the LSRP had a three-factor structure (Egocentric, Callous and Antisocial) in the Lebanese population. This three-factor structure (RMSEA = 0.05, CFI = 0.83, SRMR = 0.06) yielded a better fit than the two-factor, and three-factor Brinkley models. The LSRP was negatively correlated with the Honesty-Humility dimension of the HEXACO-PI-R and positively correlated with the STAB and S-UPPS-P subscales. Conclusions: The LSRP scale is a valid measure of psychopathy in the Lebanese non-institutionalized population, adding to the currently limited literature addressing psychopathy in the Arab World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a conceptual examination of tolerance and pedagogy with regard to the prevention of violence in the Arab world from a critical theory perspective. Tolerance is a socially and culturally bound system, indicating that any pedagogy of tolerance must be authentic to its context. Therefore, the value of adopting a nuanced Western pedagogy in the Arab world is limited. Consequently, a pedagogy of tolerance in the Arab world must incorporate its diverse codes of ethics and reasoning, and the dominant Arabic Islamic culture. However, politically constrained education systems have questionable abilities to help those previously colonised accept the negative impacts of colonialism and serve as an effective tool against ignorance-based intolerance and violence, especially since the tolerance agenda is largely driven by the formerly colonising countries. Thus, to reduce intolerance-based violence in the Arab world, the pedagogy of tolerance must depart from Western-based constructions and reflect the region's values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into the transformative journey of media within the Arab world and its profound impact on shaping political dynamics. By tracing the evolution of media, this research explores the pivotal role media has played in influencing public opinion, political discourse, and governance structures. Through an interdisciplinary approach encompassing media studies, political science, and cultural analysis, the study examines the intricate interplay between media innovation and socio-political change. This study focuses on the Arab Spring as a pivotal moment in the recent history of the Arab world, investigating the transformative role of media in shaping political dynamics during these tumultuous events. By examining Al Jazeera network as a case study and offering insights into the evolving landscape of the Arab political scene and media, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between media evolution and political transformation in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]