This article discusses the potential of African mechanisms for peace, especially the African Union's Peace and Security Council, to prevent, manage, and resolve violent conflict on the continent, both within and between states. While various criticisms and challenges are discussed, the author ends on an optimistic note and makes a

Years of war and insecurity in Iraq have had a devastating impact on society generally, and women in particular. Majid Ahmed Salih discusses the issues of gender inequality under Iraqi law, widowhood and orphanhood as results of war, and the exploitation of Iraqi women in the international sex industry.

Andres Jimenez discusses the ongoing violence in Syria and the fallacy of conflict resolution through further violence. Jimenez argues that the increasing participation of regional and international powers makes Syria a focal point of larger conflicting interests, frustrating peace efforts; rather, the role of the international community should be to

Bob Baskin, president of the peace alliance, comments on Obama's recent speech calling for an end to the US' current state of "perpetual war" against terrorism in favour of limited and specific military campaigns. Baskin welcomes the change in tone from the US administration, and argues that it should go

Why does a small village in Southern Tanzania seem like a hotbed of international intrigue a la Cold War era? Hang on, looks like all the international powers are there only to help. In this "parable" of international development, Saumava Mitra critically reflects on the strategies of charity givers, technologists,

Paulo Guerra sent us this commentary from the protests in Brazil.

This article, written during the author's internship with the Malaysian Human Rights Commission, presents an analysis of the Malaysian "Special Measures" Act (2012), which compromises the civil liberties of individuals, through such powers as identifying anonymous authors on the Internet and intercepting personal communications, in an effort to ensure the

Leon Mach shares his reflections after a study tour of the Narmada River Valley with Medha Patkar, a community organizer and tireless advocate of "people oriented development", illustrated by the beautiful photography of Kelsea Schumacher. Tags: Medha Patkar, Narma River, conservation, development, community, justice, livelihoods, ecosystem services, Sardar Sarovar Dam, globalization.

Are US/NATO efforts to empower women and equalize Afghan society undercut by the segregation policies of their own camps and insensitivity to local staff? Jade Wu reports from Kabul and Kunduz.

Scotland's narrowly lost campaign for independence has emboldened similar struggles for self-determination across Europe, in places like Catalonia, Flanders, and Transnistria. Thomas Wagner-Nagy asks what this trend could mean for Europe, where a complex history of disputed cultural and territorial borders continues to unfold.