Latest Updates

Preventing the Reemergence of Violent Extremism in Northeast Syria

Nearly two years after the Islamic State’s (IS) fighting forces were dislodged from their final hideout in Baghouz, Syria, the northeast (NE) region remains highly insecure. Numerous state actors with a stake in the future of Syria either maintain a troop presence in the NE or are providing financial and logistical support to proxies or other non-state actors. The resulting conflicts paint a worrying picture for the future of the NE and its residents.

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Mar 22, 2021
Hanny Megally , Jasmine M. El-Gamal
Middle East, Syria
Global Governance, Humanitarian Crises, International Security

Women and Peace – pathways to empowerment at the intersection of data and emerging technologies

The March Data for Peace Dialogues event covered efforts made in the peace and security sectors that focus on women empowerment,  as well as empowerment of women directly affected by conflict and violence. Recent research and initiatives have explored how emerging technologies can contribute to this empowerment. This webinar showcased important examples of inclusion of women in peace and security processes, while at the same time reflect that much more needs to be done. The gender data gap is another priority to discuss as we need data for guiding future policymaking.

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Mar 30, 2021
Prevention and Peacebuilding

What can be done to prevent a resurgence of violent extremism in Northeast Syria?

The event will discuss the resort to violence and violent extremism in Northeast Syria based on a new report entitled “Preventing the Re-emergence of violent extremism in Northeast Syria.” This report was produced as a joint collaboration by the National Agenda for the Future of Syria Programme (NAFS) at UN ESCWA and the Center on International Cooperation at New York University.

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Mar 25, 2021
Middle East, Syria
Global Governance, Humanitarian Crises

CIC Explainer: UN Debates on Sanctions during COVID-19 Era

In March 2020, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for waiving of sanctions imposed on countries to ensure access to food, health, and medical support necessary to fight COVID-19, especially for those already facing dire humanitarian challenges. “This is a time for solidarity not exclusion,” he said. His call was reinforced throughout the year by OHCHR and OCHA, as they all have highlighted the importance of avoiding the collapse of any country’s medical system, which would not only be devastating for the country but could heighten secondary economic and security risks.
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Mar 11, 2021
peace, prevention, un, member states, sanctions, covid-19
UN Reform

The Landscape of Armed Groups in Eastern Congo: Missed Opportunities, Protracted Insecurity, and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies

Conflict and insecurity continued to plague populations in the eastern Congo in 2020. Amidst a global pandemic draining humanitarian funding – only 34% of requested annual aid had reached the Congo in 2020 – conflict continues to simmer, with a record high of 5.5 million displaced across the country. Recent Kivu Security Tracker data also indicates a steep rise in killings, violent deaths and other forms of violence since the end of 2019, compared to previous years.

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Feb 23, 2021
Congo Research Group

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