By Anusa Karki and Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 6 November 2024 (IDN) — The recently concluded COP 16 on Biodiversity held in Cali, Colombia, (21 October to 1 November) was largely a disappointment. Unsurprisingly, it was largely expected to end up in this way. Yet, despite the gloom, in Cali, an important new conversation […]
India-China Historic Agreement Brings Hope for Global Harmony
By Bhikkhu Sanghasena* LEH, Ladakh, India | 4 November 2024 (IDN) — It is with immense joy and relief that we welcome the long-anticipated news: the two great nations of Asia—India and China—have finally reached an agreement on military disengagement along their disputed border. This significant announcement brings hope to all those who have been […]
US Congress Backs Diaspora-Driven Efforts for Tamil Self-Determination
By Shyamika Jayasundara-Smits* This article was originally published in East Asia Forum Quarterly. ROTTERDAM (IDN) — On 15 May 2024, US Congressman Wiley Nickel introduced House Resolution 1230, marking the latest congressional effort to address the long-standing grievances of the Tamil people. The resolution recognises the hundreds of thousands of lives lost during Sri Lanka’s […]
No Matter Who Wins US Presidential Election, Our Work Has Just Begun
By India Walton* BUFFALO, NEW YORK | 3 November 2024 (IDN) — Those of us who “enjoy” a particular type of pain, the kind reminiscent of warm needles being inserted into your cornea, have spent the past few months trying to understand the strategy of the Democratic Party. It has been frustrating to watch Vice […]
Improving Cities — from Space
By Ladislav Charouz and Kareff Rafisura* BANGKOK | 2 November 2024 (IDN) — Despite offering a range of opportunities, urbanisation poses a set of unique challenges to sustainable development. The rapid expansion of cities often results in the growth of informal settlements, with East and South-East Asia being home to 370 million people living in […]
Noah, the Ark, and the Flood: Applying Themes of an Ancient Tale
By Yossef Ben-Meir* MARRAKECH, Morocco | 01 November 2024 (IDN) — It is worth considering, in light of humanity’s profound struggle against the world’s climate and matters of elemental justice, how the onset of the Biblical tale of Noah is relevant today. According to ancient Hebraic commentaries, Noah actually grew the timber he used for […]
A No-Win Dilemma for US Peace Voters
By Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies* NEW YORK | 31 October 2024 (IDN) — On October 24th, a U.S. presidential candidate told an interviewer, “Our day one agenda… also includes picking up the phone and telling Bibi Netanyahu that the war is over, because it’s basically our proxy war. We control the armaments, the […]
Tight Race: Letter from Abroad to Michelle Obama
By Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP and author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It. ABUJA | 31 October 2024 (IDN) — Dear former First Lady! You asked the question that millions outside the US have been asking for weeks if not months: Why can’t America see former […]
After Israeli Strike Iran Holds the Trump Card
By Emad Kiyaei and Sharon Dolev* Following Israel’s recent strike on Iran, Tehran finds itself in a unique position to curb the cycle of violence. The question is whether Iran and the U.S. can leverage this moment to strike an immediate freeze-for-freeze deal to steer the region towards stability. LONDON | 30 October 2024 (IDN) […]
Will America Go to War Under Trump?
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden | 29 October 2024 (IDN) — A speech of General George Patton, a famous World War II warrior, has an uncanny resemblance to the philosophy of Donald Trump. “All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser—Americans despise cowards. […]