The recent intensification of the aerial bombardment around the Syrian city of Aleppo by Russian forces and the Syrian regime has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee the area and to seek refuge in neighbouring Turkey. However, the nationalistic secular Turkish government has closed its borders to these desperate refugees

The leader of Germany’s main right-wing, anti-migrant party has caused political uproar by insisting that the country’s border police should be authorised to shoot at refugees trying to enter the country illegally.

This January and February marks 5 years since the beginning of the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya and Syria against brutal dictatorships. Hopes were ignited amongst some that replacing tyrants with secular democracies would establish dignity for the people and create just and prosperous societies.

France and Britain requested the urgent emergency Security Council meeting talks after reports emerged of dozens of people who have died from starvation in the town of Madaya, where aid deliveries finally arrived this week.