Breaking a Promise to Russia By Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden | 1 April 2025 (IDN) — History and events have not been kind to Russia. Napoleon’s invasion, revolution, two world wars, Hitler’s invasion, Stalin’s communism, and, most recently, the expansion of Nato, have shattered the Russian people’s equilibrium and self-regard time and time again. At […]
Sewing Sustainability: The High Atlas Foundation’s Zero-Waste Initiative
By Bryn Galumbeck* MARRAKECH, Morocco | 1 April 2025 (IDN) — On 30 March, which marked the third annual International Day of Zero Waste, the international community recognized the urgent need to transform waste management and promote sustainable consumption and production. This year’s theme, Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles, highlights the pressing environmental […]
What If Russia, Ukraine, US Negotiations Collapse?
By Stephen Bryen* This article was issued by Weapons and Strategy and is being republished with their permission. WASHINGTON, D.C. | 31 March 2025 (IDN) — It may be that the US-Russia and US-Ukraine negotiations are going off the rails. Meanwhile, the US is anxious for Europe to take over responsibility for supporting Ukraine as […]
Situation Report: Machar investigated for rebellion; Tigray officials accuse Ethiopia of cutting off fuel; Kenyan envoy denied meeting with Machar
Situation in Sudan (per 31 March) The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have successfully taken control of Khartoum after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) withdrew under pressure, marking a significant defeat for the RSF and sparking celebrations among residents. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear Sudan’s case against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on […]
The Disability Sector Needs Bigger Voices
By Simone Galimberti* KATHMANDU, Nepal | 30 March 2025 (IDN) — If there is a realm that struggles to get attention and is always at risk of being left out of the most important conversations at the international level, it is disability. And yet, undeterred and determined to create lasting change, thousands of disabilities, experts, […]
The US, NATO, and Ukraine: The Politics of Strategic Flexibility
By Kartik Bommakanti* NEW DELHI | 30 March 2025 (IDN) — Washington’s decision to broker an end to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war has caused heartburn and backlash from its European allies and Kyiv. The desire for strategic flexibility, which is as much a function of power as it is of agency, explains in part why […]
Germany and The EU Embrace Military Keynesianism
By Matthew Read* BERLIN, Germany | 28 March 2025 (IDN) — Just days before its dissolution, Germany’s outgoing parliament rushed through a revision of the constitution and a massive spending package to facilitate unlimited borrowing for militarization. Half a trillion euros have been earmarked for the vague category of “infrastructure and climate neutrality”, while increased […]
Can Britain and France Take on America’s Role in Defending Europe Against Russian Aggression?
By Paul van Hooft* THE HAGUE, Netherlands | 28 March 2025 (IDN) — European doubts about deterrence predate the current US administration. Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, and its growing reliance on nuclear coercion to ward off Nato support, brought the importance of nuclear weapons to the foreground again for the first time since the […]
Is Climate Science the Next Power Source for Renewable Energy?
By Laura Quinones NEW YORK | 27 March 2025 (IDN) — As solar, wind, and hydropower expand, scientists say integrating climate data and forecasting is key to making renewable systems stronger. The race toward renewable energy is accelerating. And for all the looming challenges of the climate crisis, signs of progress are clear: Solar panels […]
Mind Your Language: The Battle for Linguistic Diversity in AI
By Fabrice Robinet NEW YORK | 27 March 2025 (IDN) — For two years, one international organization under the umbrella of the UN has been leading a relentless campaign in the corridors of global digital diplomacy. Its mission? To bring linguistic diversity to English-dominated artificial intelligence. With his signature geeky glasses and TED-Talk-style headset, Sundar […]