Vets Break Silence on War Crimes

February 29, 2008 CommonDreams

U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are planning to descend on Washington from Mar. 13-16 to testify about war crimes they committed or personally witnessed in those countries as part of an effort to end the bloody conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Read about the group, called Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Give Police a Chance

February 27, 2008 The Epoch Times

Amidst the rampant anti-police sentiment that has arisen in response to the Sean Bell trial–in which three New York City police officers are on trial for killing Sean Bell, an unarmed black man, on his wedding day–one writer urges that the police be ‘given a chance’. He argues that the media has taken the most sensational–and facile anti-establishment– angle in its coverage of the case, forgoing an analysis of the more complicated facts behind the tragic case.

Waiting for a US-Iran handshake

February 27, 2008 The Christian Science Monitor

An American-raised Iranian man, Alireza, is seen as the symbol of Iran´s diplomatic future in this article by Iason Athanasiadis, a 2008 Nieman fellow and author of the upcoming book, “Children of the Revolution: Khomeini’s Unintended Legacy.” Read about Alireza´s desire to see the United States and Iran strike an alliance and his determination to make such an alliance happen.

One Palestinian billionaire’s vision of unity

February 29, 2008  The Christian Science Monitor

Amidst the renewed violence in the Gaza strip this week, news of a Palestinian man’s efforts to build a ‘Palestine Forum‘ that is aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation between the secular Fatah and Islamic Hamas brings a glimmer of hope to the 80% of Palestinian people who would like to see the opposing factions reconcile. Despite the bitter hostility that exists between the two parties and the extreme difficulty of establishing peace between them, Munib al-Masri is determined to succeed.

Interfaith: The New Campus Movement

February 29, 2008 The Washington Post 

Eboo Patel remembers the identity politics and multiculturism debates that dominated American college campuses when he was at school during the 1990s and notes that the issue of religious identity was almost always absent from discussion. In the 9/11 era, however, this has all changed, with religious identity at the forefront of political and cultural debates. In his column, Patel discusses the growth of interfaith awareness on college campuses and the new movements that call for an engagement in issues of religious diversity among today´s student population. Read his column.

Kenya Rivals Reach Peace Agreement

February 29, 2008 The New York Times

A power-sharing deal has finally been agreed upon by Kenya´s political rivals. Let´s hope it lays the foundations required for a positive move towards re-establishing peace and stability in the nation. Click here for more details.

February 28, 2008 The Christian Science Monitor 

To see the Kenyan peoples’ elated reaction to this latest development, click here.

Sing-Song Diplomacy

February 24, 2008  The Washington Post

If you were interested in the case of symphonic diplomacy exemplied by the New york Philharmonic´s trip to North Korea this week, read here for an interesting look at musical diplomacy over the past half century.

North Koreans Welcome Symphonic Diplomacy

February 26, 2008  The New York Times, The Washington Post

Accepting an invitation offered last year from Kim Jong Il’s, the New York Philharmonic played in North Korea this week in a concert that was broadcast live on state television. The orchestra played American favorites such as the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ and George Gershwin´s ‘An American in Paris’, as well as the beloved Korean folk song, ‘Arirang’.

It was the first time an American cultural organization had appeared in North Korea since the Korean War, a trip which was seen by some as an opening for warmer relations with the United States, which North Korea has long reviled. Read more about this example of symphonic diplomacy here and here.

“When Elephants Fight, the Grass Below Suffers”

February 15, 2008 World Pulse Magazine

Dr. Ringera, a Kenyan woman working in the Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) camps that are cropping up throughout conflict-ridden Kenya, discusses her current efforts to foster peace dialogues among the internally displaced women, as well as her vision for Kenya´s future.

What Happened to Mental Health Care for Vets?

February 22, 2008  American Prospect

A disturbing look at the state of America’s war veterans who carry home with them the terrible psychological wounds inflicted by the U.S´s global conflicts. Read about the debate that is taking place in Washington as to what should be done to help heal the veterans of the wars if Iraq and Afghanistan who are killing themselves at an alarming rate.