Dr. Njeri is a peace and conflict scholar and mine action activist whose work sits at the intersection of humanitarian practice, critical theory, and policy reform. In closing off a successful first month of commonspace.eu’s Thursday Interview series, she reflects on how lived experience in humanitarian action has shaped her scholarship, how hierarchies within knowledge production shape peace-building practice, and what mine action, the work of clearing landmines and other Explosive Remnants of War (ERW), reveals about power and politics on the ground. Dr. Njeri was instrumental in the success of LINKS Europe’s Bonn Contact Group on Climate, Peace and Security, where she co-authored a report on the nexus between climate change and land contamination and degradation resulting from the remnants of armed conflict. Read “Land degradation: The ‘double exposure’ of ERW contamination and climate change” by Dr. Sarah Njeri and Dr. Christina Greene. “Across contexts like Somaliland, Iraq, Ukraine, and the South Caucasus, the core barriers to translating evidence into mine action policy are less about ‘missing data’ and more about politics, incentives, and entrenched governance structures”. (Read the full interview by clicking the image above)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Wednesday, Saudi Press Agency reported. The two leaders held an official session of talks. During the meeting, Merz and the crown prince "reviewed aspects of Saudi-German relations, areas of cooperation, and opportunities for their development in various sectors". The two leaders also discussed the latest regional and international developments and  efforts being made regarding them.  Merz arrived in Riyadh earlier on Wednesday on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, accompanied by a senior delegation.

Turkish president, Recip Tayip Erdogan, on Tuesday (3 February), started an official visit to Saudi Arabia, which is considered of crucial importance in the light of current tensions in the Middle East, and the role that a Turkish-Saudi axis can play in the wider region. Shortly after his arrival in Riyadh, President Erdogan met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and prime minister, Mohammed bin Salman at al Yamamah Palace. President Erdogan gave an extensive interview on his arrival in Riyadh to the Saudi newspaper Asharq al-Awsat in which he discussed bilateral ties with the Kingdom, the situation around Iran, and regional issues: Erdoğan said: “Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are two friendly countries with deep historical ties, strong state traditions, and a shared sense of regional responsibility. We have never viewed this relationship through a narrow lens confined solely to bilateral matters. This is because the valuable friendship between our two countries also carries a strategic significance for the peace, stability, and prosperity of our region as a whole.” On the possibility of the eruption of a war between the US and Iran, president Erdogan said: “Let me begin by stating that experience has proven that scenarios which fail to grasp the values, identity, history, and future of this geography have inflicted far greater suffering on the region than peace. The wounds inflicted by the implementation of such scenarios in Gaza, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan remain vivid in our collective memory.” “For this reason, as Türkiye, we categorically oppose a new war or a new wave of destruction in our region,” he declared. (Click the image to read the interview of president Erdogan with Asharq al-Awsat in full)