The Melbourne Cup is the horse race that stops a nation. This year's race will attract even more interest than usual because of one of the horse owners: Chechnyan President Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov has been compared with "Stalin" because of his treatment of political opponents. A person making this comparison, courageous human rights journalist Anna Politkovskaya, was coincidentally shot dead a few weeks later in Moscow. (She risked her life offending powerful interests in Russia). Allegations against him have been filed at the European Court of Human Rights. But he has not been found guilty of any crime. Chechnya is... Full article »

Tags: Asia, conflict, sociology, sport

  Reader Barbara Ferguson shares with us her pictures from the "Train The Trainers" councelling program she is establishing in the DRC. Barbara recently returned from the Congo and is lobbying the Australian government in hope of increasing our aid to this beautiful region. Barbara's train the trainer program will provide support and assistance for those women and young girls tortured and raped during the decade long war. If you can help please contact us and we will put you in touch with Barbara's organisation. Demonstrating Councelling Techiques.    Celebration Time.         Listening. Sunday School.... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 1:28 PM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, conflict, health

Back on 17th July we visited Barbara on the set of her training DVD  as she prepared for her DRC trip to "Train the Trainers." This program  has been set up by Barbara  to address the Social-psychological conseling needs of survivors of war and torture in the Congo. We join Barbara on her return to Australia after her first training trip. I arrived home yesterday pm - still processing my experiences in the DRC at HEALAfrica - the faith and courage of the people was inspiring - they sing like angels - my favourite moment was on the first day at... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 12:14 AM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, conflict, health

The largest loss of life ever sustained by the Australian media industry took place on October 16 1975 at the East Timor village of Balibo. Five journalists were killed by Indonesian troops. A sixth Australian journalist, who went looking for them, was later killed by Indonesian forces in the capital city Dili. The massacre has been back in the news with this week with the preview of the movie Balibo. All the governments that had citizens involved in the deaths have refused to reveal all that they know. It has been difficult to get to the bottom of it because... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 11:23 PM Comment

Tags: Asia, Australasia, conflict, reviews, security

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Global Insights reader and long term friend and work collegue of Dr Suter, Barbara Ferguson talked to us about her motivation for setting up the "Train the Counselor" program in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We caught up with her on the set of her training DVD as she prepares to head back to Africa later this year.  The Keith Suter blog team wish Barbara and her team all the best for the coming months and look forward to sharing her updates with you via the blog. Barbara Ferguson taking a break from making her training DVD in Sydney earlier... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 12:24 AM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, conflict, health, sociology

Robert McNamara was one of the most remarkable figures in the US Government in the 1960s. He helped escalate the arms race - and then argued against it. He escalated the US's involvement in the Vietnam War - and then he later admitted it had been a mistake. He was a good example of how some people are often a lot smarter after they leave office than when they are in office. At least he was good enough eventually to admit he was wrong - many politicians go through the rest of their life in a state of denial. McNamara... Full article »

Tags: America, conflict

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In his latest book, Paul Collier analyses the impact of democracy on global stability. Paul, a Professor of Economics at the Oxford University analyses the problems faced by some of the world's poorest countries in their quest to play their part on the world stage. This book looks at the post cold war political landscape and surmises that the world has become a more dangerous place for many. As an economist Paul takes an analytical and fact laden approach to his writing concentrating on financial benchmarks and numerical facts preferring not to steer into the more theoretical and historical territory... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 1:05 AM Comment

Tags: conflict, economics, media, reviews

Over 450,000 German troops were lost in the January of 1945 as they fought to keep Russia back from their eastern border. That is higher than the total number of casualties lost by Britain or America in all theatres during the entire war. Hitler and his army fought to the bitter end, declaring war on America before being crushed by the allied forces, its military machine smashed and its leadership destroyed. But what about the average German citizen? What challenges faced the families left torn apart, the fatherless children, the widows and those left homeless.  Richard Bessel explores the fate of... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 2:16 PM Comment

Tags: conflict, Europe, media, reviews

Australia's 25th Governor General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC as she lays the first wreath.                       Voices of Angels. Quentin Bryce with St Andrew's Choisters.   Photographs from Ramon Williams who's work can be enjoyed online by following this link : Ramond Williams photograph album... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 12:14 AM Comment

Tags: Australasia, conflict, religion

The Australian Government has announced a new memorial for the July 1916 Battle of Fromelles. This was the first battle Australians fought on the Western Front and it resulted in the largest single number of casualties ever sustained by the Australian Army in a single day Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 9:51 AM Comment

Tags: Australasia, conflict

The Columbine massacre took place 10 years ago. It was the worst school shooting in US history. It was not the worst shooting in an educational institution as such because a total of 33 people (including the gunman) were killed at Virginia Tech (a higher education institution facility) in April 2007. Full article »

Tags: America, conflict, law

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On April 21 2009 I was the Celebrant for the funeral service at Newtown and Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland for Joan Carey, a peace activist I had known for over three decades. Here are my opening remarks for the funeral service: Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 7:05 PM Comment

Tags: conflict, law, peace, science, security

Irena Sendler was known as the "Angel of the Warsaw Gheto" for her work in saving Jewish children from certain death at the hands of the Nazi's during World War II. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize on many occasions without success. She died on May 12th 2008 aged 98 surrounded by the thanks and prayers from the children that she saved. What greater prize exists than that? Her work and dedication to her cause is a story that deserves to be told.  This You Tube Video Posted by the Catholic News Agency is worth a look. You... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 9:59 PM Comment

Tags: conflict, health, religion, sociology

I don't normally comment on movies but a political blog on world affairs should have something to say about the Oliver Stone "W" movie, starring Josh Brolin. Full article »

Tags: America, conflict, Middle East, security

The Mass Wedding Of Six Couples From Pader, Uganda

For the last 20 years, northern Uganda has suffered from a conflict that has pitted the armed forces of the Government against various insurgents. This conflict has caused untold suffering and resulted in large internal displacements. Current estimates put the figure of internally displaced persons (IDP) at about 1.465 million, with around 300,000 in Pader. Full article »

Tags: Africa, conflict, sociology

In the last few days we have been marking the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II. The good news is that such large international conventional warfare is now very rare - the bad news is that there are others forms of warfare to worry about. Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 1:12 PM Comment

Tags: conflict, peace

The relationship between Pakistan and the USA has never been harmonious. Tariq Ali in his capacity as a political campaigner, historian and commentator has played a key role in communicating the issues surrounding this region. Gaining global publicity in the field of foreign policy during the vietnam wars , Ali went on to become a key critic of the USA's approach to world affairs. His latest book, The Dual, published in late 2008  by Simon and Schuster looks in depth at the relationship between the USA, Pakistan and Afhganistan and outlines why this part of central Asia is key for... Full review »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 9:38 PM Comment

Tags: America, Asia, conflict, reviews

If you are still confused as to what caused the current crisis in the Gaza strip listen to the following podcast from today's interview with Perth radio station 6PR Newstalk. The interview with presenter Bob Maumill aired at 2.30pm  this afternoon and runs for 17 minutes (for those on a tight time budget)! Follow this link for the interview: The Origins Of Conflict.  ... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 9:47 PM 1 comment

Tags: conflict, Keith Suter, media, Middle East

Rating:

• Currently 4

                                With troops continuing to march across the Israeli border into Gaza  and the death toll now topping 900 a resolution to this conflict seems as far away as ever. Yudit Ilany is an independent photographer and designer based in Jaffa, Israel. She is also works passionately for human rights causes while still finding time to doccument the events of her home town Jaffa in her blog: occupied.  This photograph is copyright protected by Yudit who can be contacted via her blog. How many more children will die?  What does the future hold for Gaza? Read Yudits blog post here:... Full article »

Tags: conflict, Middle East, peace

Back in September 2008 Keith interviewed Mike Chinoy on behalf of the Australian Institute of Company Directors to listen to the 37 minute podcast follow the link: Meltdown podcast with mike Chinoy.... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 7:06 PM 1 comment

Tags: Asia, conflict, environment, reviews, security