A UN News Special UNITED NATIONS, 25 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Multilingual education is a critical key to razing inequalities and promoting human rights for all, UN officials said to mark International Mother Language Day. Commemorating the world’s languages—all 6,700 of them—since 1999, the 21 February aims at celebrating ways of showcasing the world’s linguistic […]
One Year On: Is Peace Still Possible in Ukraine?
By Sergio Duarte The writer is a former UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and current President of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs. NEW YORK, 24 Feb 2023 (IDN) — The states that signed the Charter of the United Nations on June 26 1945, accepted the obligation to act in their relations with […]
Diplomacy Is the Only Way Out of the Russia-Ukraine War
By Katrina vanden Heuvel and James W. Carden* This article is distributed by Globetrotter in partnership with ACURA. NEW YORK, 24 Feb 2023 (IDN) — As 2023 unfolds, we fear that American policy will continue to be characterized by both mission creep and the absence of any sort of diplomatic engagement with Russia. Throughout the […]
Time for Russia to End Continuing War Against Ukraine
The restoration of peace and international law is necessary By Alyn Ware and Julius Brede HAMBURG, 23 Feb 2023 (IDN) — The World Future Council is shocked and deeply saddened by Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine, which commenced one year ago, and by Russia’s grievous violations of international law in the war and their illegal […]
Hunger Strike in Thai Prison Threatens Two Young Political Activists
By Jan Servaes* BRUSSELS, 23 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon and Orawan “Bam” Phupong, aged 21 and 23, respectively, have been on hunger strike since January 18 to push for reforms in Thailand’s judicial system, the release of political prisoners and the abolition or reform of some of the laws against dissidents, including […]
A Blacklisted Syria Makes a Come-Back—on the Ruins of an Earthquake
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS, 23 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, accused of human rights abuses, war crimes and use of chemical weapons—is one of several authoritarian Middle Eastern leaders who never addressed the UN General Assembly or stepped into the United Nations.
Towards Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Global Nuclear Disarmament?
By Neena Bhandari SYDNEY, 23 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Australia and Indonesia have committed to strengthening the global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime and cooperating in building practical nuclear safeguard capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region, even as concerns remain over Australia’s push to acquire the nuclear-powered submarines.
War in Ukraine and ICBMs: The Untold Story of How They Could Blow Up the World
By Norman Solomon* SAN FRANCISCO, 22 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago, media coverage of the war hasn’t included even the slightest mention of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Yet the war has boosted the chances that ICBMs will set off a global holocaust.
Environment, Peace and Conflict Research: The Need for Constructive Dialogue
By Tobias Ide* This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. PERTH, Australia, 22 Feb 2023 (IDN) — Environmental factors play an increasingly important role for the dynamics of peace and conflict. There is widespread agreement that climate change is a risk multiplier for armed violence, even […]
Putin’s Decision to “Suspend” New START Dangerous
By J C Suresh TORONTO | WASHINGTON, 21 Feb 2023 (IDN) — The Arms Control Association, an independent, membership-based organization, has strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to suspend implementation of the last remaining treaty limiting the world’s two largest nuclear arsenals, the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).