The war in Yemen, which has killed and wounded thousands, is bringing out the contradictions in the Middle East as Saudi Arabia finds itself increasingly isolated. Tension between the different players and powers across the region is increasing, provoking instability on all levels.

The recent death of more than 800 people as a result of a capsized fishing boat near the Italian island of Lampedusa brings the death toll of people attempting to reach Europe by boat in 2015 alone to 1,600. As Hamid Alizadeh explains, this tragic event highlights the dramatic situation that has developed in Africa and the Middle East after years of imperialist meddling.

On Thursday 2nd April, Iran and the world’s most powerful nations signed a preliminary outline agreement about Iran’s nuclear programme. This marks the beginning of the end of a 12 year standoff between the US and Iran. Hamid Alizadeh asks: what interests lie behind the negotiations and what does the deal mean?