December 28, 2013

by Thomas Colley As the centenary of the start of the First World War approaches (2014), thoughts will likely turn this holiday season to the uplifting Christmas football match that supposedly occurred during a truce between Germany and the Allies on the Western front. Such a heart-warming episode provided a symbolic reminder that humanity could … Continue reading “‘O Hush the Noise Ye Men of Strife’”

December 25, 2013

by Revd. A.J.D. Gilbert, Senior Chaplain, RAF Halton And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhood’s cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day. Shakespeare, Henry V, Act 4 Scene 3 It seems fashionable today in many different circles to claim … Continue reading “Religious festivals as a source of community cohesion and conflict”

December 20, 2013

by Tom Colley The philosopher Hegel famously stated: ‘We learn from history that man can never learn anything from history.’ Others counter that since we cannot yet predict the future, it is only to the past that we can look to seek answers to the strife that we confront today. To that end, many have … Continue reading “From Syria to Spain: Lessons from History?”

December 17, 2013

Pablo de Orellana interviews artist Tom de Freston on nature of strife and conflict in his latest paintings on show at Breese Little Gallery. I am at the Bresse Little Gallery, surrounded by twelve large canvases by the artist Tom de Freston. They are powerful political paintings which balance a staggering array of painterly approaches … Continue reading “Charnel house, horses, art and conflict: Interview with Tom de Freston”

December 13, 2013

As this week sees the 1,000th day of conflict in Syria pass, Muttahir Salim reflects on the role of propaganda in the conflict. The Editor *** ‘There is something of the propagandist in everyone’: A Syrian Perspective by Muttahir Salim “To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire, and where they make … Continue reading “‘There is something of the propagandist in everyone’: A Syrian Perspective”

December 11, 2013

by Dr. Georgina Holmes Nelson Mandela’s philosophy towards conflict resolution has had a profound impact on international peacemaking processes, but it was his policy of inclusion that opened doors for women. Six months after the end of his presidential term in December 1999, Mandela was appointed as the new mediator in Burundi’s faltering peace process. … Continue reading “Women in peacemaking: a legacy of Nelson Mandela”

December 10, 2013

by Gonenc Uysal It has been just over six months since the start of Gezi Parki protests on 30th May. Amnesty International constantly reported widespread and systematic abusive force and called on police to desist. Amnesty also published a report on the Gezi Parki protests which documented the casualties and the most serious injuries: In … Continue reading “From the Gezi Parki protests to the Democratisation Package”

December 6, 2013

by Mateusz Zatoński   Each nation celebrates key dates in history its own way. On the Fourth of July, Americans gather at hot-dog eating contests and firework displays. Britain’s Remembrance Day is a more solemn affair, with the omnipresent poppy, and parades of war veterans applauded by crowds of tourists. Other countries opt for body … Continue reading “Poland’s troubled Independence Day – a stumbling block to democratisation?”

December 3, 2013

by Zoha Waseem The Guardian described it as one of the most important political films in two decades, while The Independent called it the most effective film since All the President’s Men. Jeremy Scahill’s script for Dirty Wars, based on his book Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield, peels apart layers of secrecy and … Continue reading “Film Review: Dirty Wars”

November 29, 2013

by Joana Cook “We cannot close the door on diplomacy. We cannot rule out peaceful solutions to the world’s problems. We cannot commit ourselves to an endless cycle of violence, and tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it’s not the right thing for our security.” At least our … Continue reading “Canada: The retirement of a global peacekeeper?”