War and peace
In an era of intense conflict, a world at peace can feel like a distant reality.
In our War & Peace section, we dig deep into the root causes of conflict and offer radical solutions to end the cycle of violence engulfing our planet. We analyze the factors exacerbating war, taking in the climate crisis, poverty and the proliferation of arms.
Through frontline reports, we tell the stories of ordinary people caught up in conflict, and explore how human rights defenders are putting their lives on the line to threaten the might of states, corporations and wealth to protect their communities.
Our coverage also analyzes ongoing peacebuilding efforts, examining the role of diplomacy, disarmament projects and grassroots peacebuilding initiatives.
Namibia’s long fight for justice
Communities that were decimated by Germany’s forgotten genocide are now demanding justice. Gouri Sharma reports.
How Nicaragua’s good guys turned bad
Carmen Herrera traces the history of the FSLN, from socialist liberators to the increasingly brutal rule of Daniel Ortega.
Where football meets politics
In tiny Abkhazia, outcast from the world stage, football is a source of hope. Robert O’Connor reports.
FARC fears after rightwing Duque elected
Kimberley Brown speaks to former guerillas after president who vowed to rip up peace deal elected.
‘Catastrophic’ explosion risk on Diego Garcia
Revealed: Ships at the controversial naval base are crammed dangerously close. Katie McQue reports.
Rape as communal violence in India
Violence against women is being used as a weapon of communal hatred, suggesting India should enact the Communal Violence bill, Nilanjana Bhowmick argues.
Why telling victims not to ‘be victims’ is wrong
Kate Smurthwaite stands in defence of this battered word.
This land is my land
Ian Neubauer reports from Bougainville, where rebels chased away a mining company 30 years ago. Now the company is planning its return.
And Finally: Meena Kandasamy
The writer and activist discusses domestic abuse, social media and politics in India with Graeme Green.
Will air strikes stop Assad using chemical weapons?
Dan Smith argues strengthening international law would do far more good than ad hoc missile strikes.
Humanitarian drones and other anachronisms
Aid-by-drone, what’s not to like? New tech in the sector brings many problems, Nick Dowson explains.
Portraits of war-torn Syrian cities
For those in government-held cities, only fragments of normality remain. Sally Hayden writes.
Who cares? Humanitarianism under threat
Hazel Healy investigates the challenges facing 21st century disaster response.
History repeats itself in Crimea
In 1944, Stalin declared the Tatars 'traitors'. Now Putin calls them ‘extremists’. Madeline Roache reports.
Theresa May rolls out the red carpet for Saudi crown prince
Only six per cent of Britons back selling arms to Saudi Arabia. So why has Mohamed bin Salman been invited to Britain? Vanessa Baird asks.
Frozen sectarian divisions heat up in Bosnia
Two decades after the war ended, the country’s peace is looking fragile. Mattha Busby writes.
Why defunding Oxfam won't stop abuse
‘The idea of altruistic morality puts aid workers in a double bind, eroding true responsibility’
War on coca farmers continues
Inside the deeply-rooted economy of cocaine production and trafficking in Colombia. Bram Ebus reports.
Guerrillas gamble for peace
‘Each person must say we won’t do this again.’ Guerrilla leader Pablo Beltrán of Colombia’s ELN talks to Mónica del Pilar Uribe Marín.
Zimbabwe’s coup that isn’t a coup
With tanks on the streets and rumours in newspapers, Nhau Mangirazi reports from Zimbabwe.
Palestine, 100 years after Balfour
Paul Kelemen and Dick Pitt look at the British government’s role in Israel’s formation.
Killer robots: the race for Autonomous Weapons
Noel Sharkey’s stark warning against the latest arms race.
‘My revolution across Syria and beyond’
A word with Macer Gifford, a former currency trader who joined the Kurdish revolution.
Keeping schools open in Yemen
The courageous efforts of Yemeni teachers, as reported by Sawsan al-Refaei.
On the trail of Che Guevara, 50 years on
Julio Etchart follows the ‘Che route’ to the remote spot in Bolivia where he was executed.
‘A state is not a solution to the Kurdish question’
A rhetorical referendum, peace and radicalization: an explosive interview with Kurdish female leader Bese Hozat. By Karlos Zurutuza.
Japan's pacifism in peril, again
Hawkish Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is trying to tinker with Japan’s pacifist constitution – but peace activists are organizing to thwart him, writes Tina Burrett.
The coming war on China
A major US military build-up – including nuclear weapons – is under way in Asia and the Pacific with the purpose of confronting China. John Pilger raises the alarm on an under-reported and dangerous provocation.
Another blow to Colombia’s peace process
The country’s President Juan Manuel Santos has cancelled peace talks with the National Liberation Army over a hostage dispute. Kimberley Brown reports.
Laos: living with unexploded bombs, 40 years on
US bombs still kill in Laos – even decades years after being dropped.
The role of climate change in the Syria crisis: how the media got it wrong
Alex Randall argues that the conclusions drawn were the wrong ones.
Military fatigues and floral scarves
Rahila Gupta meets women fighters in Rojava who are leading the charge towards a radical democracy.
Caught in the act: Israeli soldier filmed killing Palestinian
Noreen Sadik reports on the aftermath of a very public shooting in the divided city of al-Khalil.
‘If you want to know the truth, read the Qur’an, not <em>The Daily Mail</em>’
Comedian Shazia Mirza is fed up at having to apologize for the actions of deranged individuals who claim to share her faith.
Islamic State’s plan, and the West’s trap
Paul Rogers looks at lessons not learnt and the dangers of expanding the war against IS.
