Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — In the Cold War days, some of us used to say, “Better red than dead”—to rebuff those who believed in “role-the-dice” nuclear deterrence as a way of political life that gave them security. Now those of us who are frightened that Vladimir Putin could start a nuclear […]
The MADness of the Resurgent U.S. Cold War With Russia
Viewpoint by Nicolas J.S. Davies* NEW YORK (IDN) — The war in Ukraine has placed U.S. and NATO policy toward Russia under a spotlight, highlighting how the United States and its allies have expanded NATO right up to Russia’s borders, backed a coup and now a proxy war in Ukraine, imposed waves of economic sanctions, […]
UN Forum Focuses on Achieving SDGs and Resilient Post-Pandemic Recovery
By Bernhard Schell DUBAI (IDN) — Entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment in a post-pandemic recovery as vehicles to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the focus of a United Nations forum that opened in Dubai on March 28 under the aegis of Dubai Exhibition Centre at Dubai Expo 2020.
What Do We Know About Climate Change, Peace and Conflict?
Viewpoint by Tobias Ide This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. PERTH, Australia (IDN) — The impacts of climate change on peace and conflict are high on the agenda of policy makers and the general public. From UN Security Council debates about climate change and security […]
Biden’s Unhinged Call for Regime Change in Russia
Viewpoint by Norman Solomon SAN FRANCISCO, USA (IDN) — Ever since Joe Biden ended his speech in Poland on Saturday (March 26) night by making one of the most dangerous statements ever uttered by a U.S. president in the nuclear age, efforts to clean up after him have been profuse. Administration officials scurried to assert […]
Triple Threat of Climate Crises, Conflict, and Gender Inequality Highlighted
By Caroline Mwanga NEW YORK (IDN) — At a side event of the 66th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66) that concluded on March 25, UN leaders, policy makers, and civil society activists highlighted the impacts of climate shocks and environmental hazards on women and girls in humanitarian settings.
Does Russia No Longer Qualify as a Member of the Global Trade Group WTO?
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW | PARIS (IDN) — Russia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in April 2011 after almost 18 years of persistent efforts and multiple negotiations, to fulfil stringent membership requirements, apparently because the Soviet Union had ceased to exist and replaced by the Russian Federation. Average accession period is five to […]
How to Underpin Inclusivity in Achieving SDGs in the Face of Covid-19 & Climate Change
By Maria Bystedt Maria Bystedt is Strategy Lead at H&M Foundation, a non-profit foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of the H&M Group, working to fast-track the achievements of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, to safeguard humanity and the planet.
Avoidance of Nuclear Weapons in a Possible NATO-Russia War Should Be “Foremost” Responsibility
Viewpoint by Ramesh Jaura BERLIN (IDN) — “We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought,” pledged the leaders of the five nuclear-weapon states—China, France, Russia, UK, and the United States—in a joint statement on January 3, adding that they “consider the avoidance of war” between them and “the reduction […]
Time Has Come for Women & Girls in The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Viewpoint by Claudia Ituarte-Lima Dr. Claudia Ituarte-Lima is a public international lawyer and scholar. She is senior researcher at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and is also affiliated to Stockholm University and the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia. Ituarte-Lima holds a PhD […]