Fine analysis from Daniel Byman of Georgetown SFS and co-author: 'U.S. position is simple. The United States wants to avoid a regional war that could drag in U.S. forces, roil international markets, and complicate the position of Washington’s Arab allies.' foreignpolicy.com/2024/04/14/isr…

North of Kabul or Shamali Plains in the spring is covered with the purple blossoming trees and bushes. Before 2021, people, defying Taliban’s daily terrorist attacks, used to go there for picnicking on the weekends. Resistance against the Taliban’s gender apartheid regime is the…

Twenty-seven years after Yuri Gagarin first entered space in April 1961, Abdul Ahad Momand became the first Afghan and the fourth Muslim to journey to space, spending nine days aboard the Mir space station in 1988. This was a notable achievement for Afghanistan under the late…

'Any further military action would only continue the cycle of violence and would lead to even greater instability for the region. As President of the UNSC for April, our goal is to make diplomacy work for the benefit of the whole region'

A few points re Israel-Iran attacks: both sides have achieved their primary aims as follows:

-demonstrated and established deterrence capabilities (alone and with others) and saved face under UN Charter Article 51

-shored up support and solidarity from states and publics of…

'The Paris conference is a critical opportunity to launch a fresh diplomatic initiative aimed at ending the violence, averting famine and restoring the wider region’s fragile equilibrium. We urge the international community not to let it go to waste.' aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/…

Afghanistan's protracted forcible displacement has yet to find any durable solutions from local integration and resettlement to safe and dignified repatriation. Occasional handouts are needed and must be provided. But Afghanistan must be stabilized on a sustainable basis to end…

UNSC is convening today to discuss escalation developments and the next steps to be taken by all sides under the Charter. Opportunity for all sides to reaffirm commitment to the principles of the Charter, prioritizing to address the root-cause of the challenges facing the Middle…

No more war, no more attacks, no more violence! Yes to dialogue and yes to peace! Let us #PrayTogether for peace.

'Among those facing deportation are many girls and women who would now be unable to study beyond the sixth grade in Afghanistan.'
thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2…

Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of marine life - yet, they are under serious threat due to human activity. Experience the coral reef through the eyes of a sea turtle & discover its invaluable significance for life under water & on land. unep.org/interactive/ex…

Deescalatory in tone, statement from President Biden points out week-long preparations had been made, expecting the face-saving retaliatory attack from Iran and thus enabling Isreal to 'take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.' Working with G7 allies will further help…

Encouraging signs of deescalation already in motion, following the initial face-saving retaliatory attack. And balanced statement from India with good ties with both sides, calling for restraint, deescalation and cessation of hostilities, consistent with the UN Charter. Major…

Still much room for diplomacy at the UNSC and mini-lateral levels to deescalate tensions once the face-saving retaliatory objective, in response to the Consulate attack, has been achieved. But if major stakeholders have planned to exploit the situation for other political…

In the 1990s, UAE was one of three countries that mistakenly recognized the Taliban’s gender apartheid regime. But having realized the quintessential role of women in ensuring any nation's sustainable peace and development, UAE is now a leader in women's empowerment in the whole…

Plastic Progress: How Parley for the Oceans Reframed Recycling & Continues Pushing for Real, Radical Change futurevvorld.com/?p=17610

Wishing Sri Lankans at home and abroad a very Happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year. May this New Year witness full recovery from recent years' economic slowdown and bring all Sri Lankans fine health and prosperity across the picturesque island 🏝 #Avurudu #Puthandu

Twenty-seven years after Yuri Gagarin first entered space in April 1961, Abdul Ahad Momand became the first Afghan and the fourth Muslim to journey to space, spending nine days aboard the Mir space station in 1988. This was a notable achievement for Afghanistan under the late…

North of Kabul or Shamali Plains in the spring is covered with the purple blossoming trees and bushes. Before 2021, people, defying Taliban’s daily terrorist attacks, used to go there for picnicking on the weekends. Resistance against the Taliban’s gender apartheid regime is the…

'Having shared battlefield space with the Taliban over the last ten years and having observed their archrival’s steady climb to victory, given NATO's premature withdrawal, ISKP militants have been inspired by the Taliban’s unprecedented strategic gains.' moderndiplomacy.eu/2024/04/02/how…