Russia Takes a Step Back
Russia is currently withholding visible support for Iran as the war escalates. AP News reports that Putin believes the conflict could benefit Moscow by driving up oil prices and diverting Western attention and resources away from Ukraine. However, last weekend, Putin sent his condolences to Iran’s President Pezeshkian, condemning the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While the war has barely begun, Russia is already profiting from a surge in energy prices caused by the war’s disruption to tanker traffic and damage to energy facilities in Gulf countries. If the conflict continues to escalate, the extra revenue could help finance military operations in Ukraine and alleviate Russia’s current budget deficit, according to AP News.
Even with Pending War Few are Choosing to Leave Iran for Good
Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran over a week ago, a land crossing in Turkey’s Van province remains one of the few open routes for Iranians amid a national shutdown, AP News reports. Many travelers are using the border gate to move up preplanned visits due to the escalating conflict, while dual citizens are primarily using Turkey as a transit point. Only a small number of those interviewed expressed plans to remain in Turkey in the long term to escape the war. While several citizens are fleeing through Turkey, the majority of Iranians are not leaving everything behind and running away, and are instead staying in their homes.
Gen Z backed rapper up in the polls to lead Nepal
After a youth-led uprising last year brought Nepal’s government down, voters have handed a commanding majority to a party headed by Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old former rapper. According to The New York Times, partial results released on Sunday, March 1, gave the party of Balendra Shah, former mayor of the capital, 100 out of 165 directly elected parliamentary seats. This result is turning out to be the biggest landslide in Nepal’s modern electoral history, serving as a resounding affirmation of Gen Z’s political power. As the first election held since the uprising toppled a government once viewed as untouchable, the stakes were high. Subhash Sharma, a senior official with Mr. Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party, told The New York Times that while people clearly wanted change, no one anticipated such a massive landslide at the polls.
