The Alaska Purchase was a significant geopolitical event where Russia sold its Alaskan Peninsula to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million. The deal was driven by Russia's fear of British expansion in the Pacific and America's post-Civil War territorial ambitions. Despite initial criticism, Alaska became the 49th state of the US in 1959, though its economic benefits remain debated.

The article discusses the cultural and educational transformation occurring in Oman, particularly at A’Sharqiyah University, where the majority of students are women benefiting from a national strategy for women's advancement. This strategy, initiated by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Saidan in 1988, offers free tuition to women who pass an English course. The university environment reflects a blend of traditional Omani customs and modern educational pursuits, with female students experiencing both the benefits of higher education and the challenges of adapting to a more regulated university life. The article highlights the stories of several students and their aspirations, as well as the societal changes that the influx of educated women is bringing to Oman.

The article by Ernest Sipes for USA TODAY reports on the situation in Somalia following the death of al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane by a U.S. airstrike. The terror group confirmed Godane's death and announced Ahmad Umar as the new leader. Somali government facilities are on high alert due to intelligence of potential attacks on medical and educational institutions. The return of gunmen and militias to Mogadishu has undermined the fragile stability, with extortion and looting becoming common. Al-Shabab continues to enforce strict sharia laws in rural areas and remains a significant threat despite past efforts to eliminate them. The presence of African Union troops and U.S. military advisers has not eradicated the group, which has also conducted attacks outside Somalia, including the Nairobi mall attack. The instability is affecting everyday life, including the education sector, as students face armed violence on their way to school.

The author, after returning from a reporting trip in Ukraine, shares insights into the logistics of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The article suggests that Moscow has specific military goals such as securing a route to the Black Sea, unifying Russian-speaking regions, and deterring NATO/EU expansion. The author argues that the Russian military is not as disorganized or unsuccessful as portrayed in the media and that Moscow is exercising restraint in its military campaign. The article speculates that Russia is fighting a war on its own terms and timetable, with the possibility of peace negotiations in the future.

The article discusses the challenges faced by the Kurdish peshmerga forces in their battle against the Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq. General Dedawa Khurshid describes the use of vehicle-borne explosive devices (VBEDs) by IS, which are trucks or bulldozers modified with steel and explosives to breach Kurdish lines. The peshmerga are in need of heavy weaponry to counter these threats. Masrour Barzani, head of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, emphasizes the lack of heavy weapons and protective gear against chemical attacks. The U.S. has provided some arms, but these are deemed inadequate. There is a division among U.S. leaders regarding arming the Kurds directly. Baghdad is reluctant to supply heavy arms to the Kurds, fearing future independence efforts. Canadian military analyst Col. Chris Kilford expresses skepticism about the Kurds' ability to effectively use heavy artillery without proper training. Peshmerga Col. Abdullah Sabah, however, insists that more firepower, not training, is needed to combat IS.