Our goal is to provide our members the information needed to better understand the world’s major trouble spots, to grasp what happened in places where the United States has played a significant role and to spotlight countries, conflicts, and issues of growing concern.
Ukraine Blog
Postings include:
– The Institute for the Study of War’s summary of the previous day’s events. ISW is a Washington DC-based think tank;
– The Ukraine Defense Ministry’s tally of damage inflicted on Russian forces;
– The Russian Defense Ministry’s tally of damage inflicted on Ukrainian forces.
For more information, please click HERE to check out our playlist of programs on Russia and Ukraine
Myanmar Blog
Myanmar’s military overthrew country’s democratically elected government in 2021.
Postings include:
– Frontier Myanmar Altsean Burma;
– Athan Myanmar;
– Myanmar Now;
– The Irrawaddy;
– Columns from western media.
For more information, please click HERE to the Myanmar Presentation.
Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation as of 15 May 2025 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. Units of the Sever Group
The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 15.05.25: personnel: about 970 590 (+ 1 220) persons tanks: 10 812 (+8) troop-carrying AFVs: 22
Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s invitation to engage in bilateral negotiations in Istanbul and continues refusing to offer concessions to end the war in Ukraine. Putin spoke
Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation as of 14 May 2025 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. Units of the Sever Group
The estimated total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 14.05.25: personnel: about 969 370 (+ 1 240) persons tanks: 10 804 (+2) troop-carrying AFVs: 22
Russian officials continue to reiterate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent call to base future negotiations with Ukraine on the early 2022 Istanbul protocols that included Russian demands for Ukraine’s complete
Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!
At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.
The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.
Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.
It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.
