Rebecca Gerome: The availability of small arms increases sexual violence against women. Therefore, gender based violence needs to be central to international discussions on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and states must act to end impunity for armed violence against women.
... More
Editorial Team: You are in a crowded, run-down basement. Lights are flashing in your eyes and your heart is racing. You’ve broken out in a sweat and it’s running down your back. People are anxious. Someone is screaming. Danger seems imminent.
... More
Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is holding fast to a power-sharing agreement with tyrant president Robert Mugabe, despite such an arrangement having little history of success. ++ He “calculates that Mugabe is part of the solution” and aims to work around him to improve Zimbabwe’s economy, and create peace and stability even though he tried to murder him. ++ “Given Mugabe’s
... More
For the first time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has mentioned the Palestinian state as a solution for the Middle East. ++ Some commentators have labelled this as “a great step for Netanyahu.” ++ “He wants to appease Obama by joining his peace mission.” ++ Although Netanyahu is prepared to accept the possibility of a two state solution, he has refused to back down on Israeli
... More
At the Sharm el-Sheikh conference the US pledged to give a generous amount of money to the Palestinian authority in Ramallah in emergency relief for the stricken territory. ++ This is not the right way to save Gaza ++ Peace will only be possible with the consent of Hamas. ++ Mrs. Clinton “ruled out working with a Palestinian government that included Hamas” and stressed the necessity to stop
... More
Another war in the Middle East and the same question re-emerges: To what extent should Hamas be engaged in peace talks? ++ The answer is none. ++ No discussions can be held with a group which - despite differences - views Hezbollah as a role model and firmly believes Jews are “a cosmological evil” and that “God is opposed to a Jewish State in Palestine.” ++ On the contrary, if there is a tiny
... More
The bilateral relation between the two states, fostered 30 years ago, is strengthened as it evolves to cover an increasing range of issues - from the war on terror to climate change - and to produce a global impact. ++ This impact is evident in the Asia-Pacific region where the US and China have worked to establish peace and development opportunities. ++ Closer ties will become a symbol of the
... More
