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Samy Adghirni
For Samy Adghirni's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Kites are flown over Rafah as smoke billows following Israeli bombardment on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 21, 2024
Israel-Hamas war splits G20, risking paralysis at meeting
The group is so split on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine that they may be forced to reduce the forum’s scope and avoid geopolitical issues.
Israeli soldiers organize armored personnel  near the border with Lebanon on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Oct 16, 2023
After Iran warning, Washington pushes to avert wider Israel war
The ramped-up moves come amid concerns that an invasion of the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces could prompt Iran to enter the conflict.
Fake oranges filled with captagon pills, intercepted by the customs and the anti-drug brigade at Beirut port, Lebanon, in 2021.
WORLD / Crime & Legal
Aug 18, 2023
‘Poor man’s cocaine’ costing $3 a pill threatens to proliferate
Selling for around $3 to $25 per tablet, experts say captagon is primarily produced and trafficked by groups tied to Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Nigerien security forces launch tear gas to disperse pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey, the capital city of Niger, on Sunday.
WORLD / Politics
Aug 1, 2023
Macron’s Africa strategy in tatters as his bet on Niger unravels
France is struggling to convince nations in the Sahel region the presence of a former colonial power can bring results.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 22, 2023
G7 struggles to win over nations courted by China and Russia
Tangible progress was hard to see for the Group of Seven wealthy nations, even though some Western officials said the bloc was heading in the right direction compared with years past.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Apr 24, 2023
Macron’s push to get China’s help on Ukraine is unraveling fast
The Chinese Ambassador to France, Lu Shaye, said ex-Soviet states don’t have sovereign status, a statement that ignores internationally recognized borders in Eastern and Central Europe.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 27, 2023
Macron’s pension gambit sparks revolt, pushing France to the brink
The French president’s decision to ram through an increase in the retirement age has ignited labor unrest, destabilized his government, and risks paralysis for his remaining time in office.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 24, 2023
Macron challenged by new strikes as he digs in on pensions
Anger over raising the minimum retirement age to 64 from 62 shows no sign of receding more than two months after the start of a series of walkouts and marches across France.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics / ANALYSIS
Nov 20, 2022
Europe reasserts middle path on China, pushing back on Biden
The shift in sentiment amounts to a victory for Xi on just his second foray outside of China since the pandemic began.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Nov 6, 2022
France’s far right picks 27-year-old to succeed Marine Le Pen
The result was widely expected as Marine Le Pen has been progressively handing over duties to Bardella, who's served as deputy leader since 2019.
Japan Times
WORLD
Sep 21, 2022
How the U.N. became a bystander to the world’s biggest flashpoint
Interviews with several officials reveal a rising frustration with a body founded nearly 80 years ago that is increasingly powerless to shape global events.
Japan Times
WORLD / Politics
Jun 21, 2022
Ukraine is poised to get backing of EU states on membership path
Discussions are going in the right direction and Ukraine's candidate status is on track to be approved, according to an EU official.
Japan Times
WORLD
May 13, 2022
Biden’s hopes for Iran deal fade just when world needs oil most
For Iran, $100 per barrel oil has mitigated the urgency to secure sanctions relief. Crude prices have almost doubled since talks began a year ago.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 22, 2022
Macron closes in on second term in France as Le Pen falters
The gap between the two of them has widened since April 10 to about 12 percentage points, as Le Pen's weaknesses on the economy became more apparent.
Japan Times
WORLD
Apr 21, 2022
Macron says Le Pen risks ‘civil war’ in France over Muslim veils
Le Pen said Macron's economic policies had been a disappointment and referred to herself as the 'spokeswoman of the French people.'
Japan Times
WORLD / FOCUS
Mar 29, 2022
NATO allies divided over whether they should be talking to Putin
With Russia's war in Ukraine now in its second month, a series of dilemmas are coming into sharp focus over conditions for any accord and potential security guarantees for Kyiv.
Japan Times
WORLD
Nov 16, 2021
U.S. and allies weigh reprisals if Russia moves against Ukraine
The effort is also aimed at steering Putin away from further aggression on Ukraine by making clear there would be a strong and coordinated response, sources said.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores