I Wanted to Take Revenge

The number of girl soldiers is on the increase. Diane Taylor analyzes a new report on girls who actively choose to fight, in pursuit of sexual equality. Internationally, up to 30% of child armies are made up of girls, however in Liberia, many girls volunteer as opposed to being forced unwillingly. For many young girls, becoming a soldier means taking possession of a weapon, which means protection from the ever-present danger of being raped or a chance to escape from physical and sexual abuse at home.

Cold Peace

A Russian scholar presents an exhaustive examination of American public opinion toward Russia, from 1920 to the present day. An essential book for the libraries of experts and policy makers.

Is Iraq Another Vietnam? It is Already Lost

Is Iraq Another Vietnam? It is Already Lost Author: Robert Freeman Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 10/27/2006 Category: Special Report Wars are lost before they are quit. The Germans lost World War II by the end of 1942 when their Sixth Army was destroyed at Stalingrad. Yet, they would “stay the course” […]

The World’s Worst Forgotten Crisis? Uganda To-day.

The World’s Worst Forgotten Crisis? Uganda To-day. Author: Stella Laloyo Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 03/18/2004 Category: Special Report   The World’s Worst Forgotten Crisis? Uganda To-day.  PDF here Introduction    Today Uganda is a republic and has been defined by many member states of the African Union, the media and international […]

Nuclear Dangers and Challenges to a New Nuclear Policy

Nuclear Dangers and Challenges to a New Nuclear Policy Author: David Krieger Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 01/04/2008 Category: Policy It is worthwhile asking the question: What are nuclear weapons? In some respects the answer to this question may seem obvious, but this is not necessarily the case. To some, nuclear weapons […]

Waging War on Toys

Sweden and Norway have successful voluntary restriction of the sale of war toys; Malta prohibits their import; Greece bans television advertising; Australia places some restrictions on imports. The European Parliament recommended that its member states ban advertising of war toys and reduce their sale.

What is your government doing about it?

The Little Children

Then They Started Shooting breaks stereotypes about “traumatized war children” by talking about children’s resilience in dealing with war hardship. In the aftermath of the Bosnian conflict, very few children showed lasting signs of trauma; instead, thoughts of their personal futures filled their minds. In her analyses of individual psychological health, Jones points out that children who avoided searching for explanations for past events have better psychological health than those who did not. Truly, distancing oneself from the past can be protective, but it can also cost the community as a whole. In the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it seems that ignoring the past and lacking the will to deal with it can reopen the wounds that never properly healed.