West Asia

How Global Conflicts Disproportionately Impact Children

Tharanga Yakupitiyage May 21, 2019 Tharanga Yakupitiyage

Seventy-two percent of child deaths and injuries across the world’s deadliest conflict zones are caused by landmines, unexploded ordinance, air strikes, and other explosives. In fact, children are seven times more likely to die from blast injuries than adults involved in fighting. In Afghanistan, explosive weapons were the cause of death in 84 percent of child conflict fatalities over a two-year period compared to 56 percent of civilian adult deaths.

Notre Dame of Gaza: Our Mosques and Churches are Also Burning

Ramzy Baroud April 24, 2019 Ramzy Baroud

As the 300-foot spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris tragically came tumbling down on live television, my thoughts ventured to Nuseirat Refugee Camp, my childhood home in the Gaza Strip. The very media that covered the news of the Notre Dame fire seemed oblivious to the obliteration of everything we hold sacred in Palestine as, day after day, Israeli war machinery continues to blow up, bulldoze and desecrate.

Trump’s Veto of Yemen Bill Will Lead to Escalation of Regional Conflict

Thalif Deen April 22, 2019 Thalif Deen

President Donald Trump’s decision to veto a bi-partisan Congressional resolution to end US military involvement in a devastating Saudi-led four-year conflict in Yemen is expected to escalate the ongoing war in the trouble-plagued region.The weapons used by the Saudis in the reckless bombing of mostly civilian targets, including schools and hospitals, are largely from the United States: F-15 fighter planes, Bell helicopters, drones, air-to-surface missiles, M60 battle tanks, laser-guided bombs and heavy artillery.

‘The Essence of Being Palestinian’: What the Great March of Return is Really About

Ramzy Baroud April 3, 2019 Ramzy Baroud

Palestinians participated in the Great March of Return because they understand their centrality in their struggle. Their protests are a collective statement, a cry for justice, an ultimate reclamation of their narrative as a people – still standing, still powerful and still hopeful after 70 years of Nakba, 50 years of military occupation and 12 years of unrelenting siege.