This week marks the third year since America’s retreat from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s return to power. The United States had intervened in Afghanistan in response to the September 11 2001 terror attacks by al-Qaeda. The aim was to combat international terrorism and chart a new global order to make the
Article
Dealing with Bangladesh’s odious debt
Bangladesh has become increasingly indebted since 2009. The country’s external debt stock increased from US$23.3 billion in 2008 to US$100.6 billion in December 2023 (see figure below). Thanks to the country’s mega-projects led so-called development with borrowed money under the now deposed authoritarian regime of Sheikh Hasina. The new government should
How Donald Trump evoked a history of white authorities to define race
The plight of women three years after Taliban takeover in Afghanistan
Does the Geneva Conventions still have a fighting chance in today’s bloody world?
Today marks 75 years since the adoption of the Geneva Conventions on August 12 1949. In theory, these rules of war are universally agreed by every nation. In practice, they are routinely violated everywhere. With an estimated 120 armed conflicts worldwide, more than 450 armed groups and 195 million people living
Handling financial crises in the South
When history repeats itself, the first time is a tragedy; the next is a farce. If we fail to learn from past financial crises, we risk making avoidable errors, often with irreversible, even tragic consequences. Between rock and hard place Many people worldwide suffered greatly during the 2008-2009 global financial crisis (GFC)
Invest in research to protect crops from future flooding
Tropical Storm Debby has resulted in record-setting rain and flooding events across several States, including Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina and parts of Georgia and left a trail of damage including leaving Florida crops flooded. Record-breaking rain, flooding events, and other weather impacts people and our ability to grow crops successfully,
Israel’s deadly attack on a Palestinian school shows the limitations of Gaza war
Digital trade & the sustainable development goals: A dynamic agenda
The rapid growth of digitalization has fundamentally altered commerce, impacting production and facilitating the movement of goods. The 2023 Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Report (APTIR), has pointed out that although digital trade revenues of Asia and the Pacific account for a significant share of global trade, this growth is uneven,
Killings of Palestinian journalists continue, aided by US arms
The growing number of killings of Palestinian journalists in Gaza has triggered a demand for a cut-off in US arms supplies to Israel. A letter addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken—and signed by scores of reporters, news outlets and journalist unions— says Israel has killed more than 165 Palestinian