Every Monday, the CERESE publishes the assessment of the previous week’s news by the Research Trainees:

I like the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was announced on January 15. The agreement was reached after Egyptian and Qatari mediation and is related to the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Hamas captive operatives. Washington’s role has also been crucial, with President Donald Trump warning that unless a substantial deal is reached, there would be “hell to pay”. Fifteen months after the 7 October attack, Israel continues its operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah and Yemen against the Houthi.

I dislike Armenia’s attitude towards the persecution of Nagorno-Karabakh officials by Azerbaijan. Armenia’s government has remained silent on the trials of 16 former Nagorno-Karabakh leaders and prisoners held in Azerbaijan, who face dozens of charges, such as genocide and war crimes. Closed-door trials have been criticized as politically motivated and not transparent. Although Armenian citizens and the diaspora have widely supported the defendants, the Armenian government has refrained from taking a stance. Additionally, the protests organized in Yerevan demanded stronger international pressure on Azerbaijan.

The aforementioned opinions are those of their respective authors and they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Institute of International Relations or its Researchers.