International and Foreign

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz walk towards an open door on June 3, 2021, at the State Department in Washington, DC. The Israeli flag and American flag stand at the forefront of the photo.

The Downstream Effects of Israel’s “Terrorist” Designation on Human Rights Defenders in the US

The Israeli designation may be designed to trigger US counterterrorism sanctions - and chill human rights activism. Here are some options for the US response.

Nov. 4, 2021 Diala Shamas

Members of the Kenyan polices General Service Unit (GSU) take part in a joint exercise hosted by the US embassy to build counter-terrorism capabilities, in Nairobi, Kenya, on October 30, 2021. They wear camouflage and headgear and carry large guns while walking past a truck with police lights.

An Undefined Defining Moment: Marking 20 Years of Counterterrorism Without Ever Agreeing What Terrorism Is

UN Security Council Resolution 1373 in 2001 created a sprawling global system that, rather than solving the problem, spawned widespread abuse.

Nov. 4, 2021 Eric Rosand

Sudan's top army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan holds a press conference at the General Command of the Armed Forces in Khartoum on October 26, 2021.

Sudan’s Constitutional Crisis: Dissecting the Coup Declaration

Suspending certain articles while retaining parts of the transitional deal cloaks a unilateral power-grab as merely a course correction.

Nov. 3, 2021 Sami Abdelhalim Saeed

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of Albania Ilir Meta, President of Croatia Zoran Milanovic, Serb member of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Milorad Dodik, President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, Bosniak member of Presidency of Bosnia and Hercegovina Sefik Dzaferovic, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and Presidend of Montenegro Milo Dukoanovic pose for pictures at a park during the Brdo-Brijuni Process meeting in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, on May 17, 2021.

US Leadership Matters to Avoid New Violence in the Balkans

It's time for Washington to recognize the role of Serb nationalism in fomenting renewed tensions across the region.

Nov. 3, 2021 Ismael Ćidić, Ambassador Vesko Garčević and 1 more

Sudanese anti-coup protesters carry the portrait of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, ousted by the military, during a gathering in the capital Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman on October 30, 2021, to express their support for the country's democratic transition which a military takeover and deadly crackdown derailed.

Sudanese Send Clear `No’ to Military Coup. What Will Security Forces Do Next?

After mass nonviolent protests, look out for arrests of opponents, prison releases of Islamists, and actions by a key paramilitary unit.

Nov. 1, 2021 Rebecca Hamilton

A general view of participants at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Failure to Renew Yemen Investigative Mechanism Shows Costs of US Absence from Human Rights Council

The US has regained a seat on the HRC - but its recent absence has weakened the human rights landscape overall.

Oct. 29, 2021 David M. Crane

ASEAN Has Failed on Myanmar. What’s Next?

ASEAN excluded the Myanmar junta from its summit this week - but remains reluctant to condemn the coup or provide robust help to the people of Myanmar. How should the rest of the…

Oct. 27, 2021 Daniel Sullivan

Wesam Ahmad, Palestinian human rights advocate at Al-Haq NGO in Ramallah, Palestine speaks via video conferencing. One person sits at a table with a laptop across from the large screen showing Wesam Ahmad.

Counterterrorism Off the Rails: Israel’s Declaration of Palestinian Human Rights Groups as “Terrorist” Organizations

Law professors critically analyze Israel Defense Minister Benny Gantz's designation of six Palestinian human rights groups as “terrorist” organizations

Oct. 24, 2021 Eliav Lieblich and Adam Shinar

US government's special envoy for Western Balkans Matthew Palmer poses with members of Bosnia and Herzegovina's tripartite presidency, Milorad Dodik, Zeljko Komsic, and Sefik Dzaferovic in Sarajevo on July 5, 2021 as Palmer held several meetings with national political leaders in Bosnia as well as state officials.

Peace Is Threatened Again in Bosnia, A Quarter Century after Dayton

Separatist provocations pose the greatest danger to the country's peace and cohesion since the accords were forged 26 years ago.

Oct. 22, 2021 Kurt Bassuener and Senada Šelo Šabić

Tunisian soldiers part of the UN peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) depart a plane at Banguis airport on September 21, 2021. Some wear masks, others do not. Two greet each other in a fist bump.

How the UN Can Strengthen its Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic Amid a Changed Conflict

A Security Council divided over rights violations by Russian paramilitaries must maintain civilian protection as a priority.

Oct. 20, 2021 Viola Giuliano and Josh Jorgensen

Afghans residing in India take part in a demonstration outside, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) office in New Delhi on August 23, 2021 to protest against the Taliban's military takeover of Afghanistan. Signs read, “Do not forget refugees, please.” And “International community! Please, protect and save our lives.”

Afghan Refugees in India Highlight the Need for Indian Domestic Refugee Law

India will offer ad hoc emergency visas to Afghan refugees but lacks any domestic law to protect asylum seekers long term.

Oct. 18, 2021 Arunav Kaul

Afghans watch the arrival of some of the ten-truck Red Cross convoy carrying 120 tonnes of mixed food-stuffs for homeless, on January 8, 1995, in Kabul.

Taliban Governance of NGOs – What to Expect and How to Respond

The last Taliban government imposed restrictions on registration and operation of NGOs. What can we expect from this Taliban government?

Oct. 15, 2021 David Moore