In this photograph taken on April 11, 2023, a Taliban security personnel destroys a poppy plantation in Sher Surkh village of Kandahar province.

Trouble In Afghanistan’s Opium Fields: The Taliban War On Drugs

The Taliban have instituted a ban on narcotics in Afghanistan. While that has led to a massive drop in production, it is hitting the rural poor particularly hard. Foreign donors should work with the government to ensure the policy does not further undermine vulnerable populations.

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CW minimap August 2024

CrisisWatch is our global conflict tracker, an early warning tool designed to help prevent deadly violence. It keeps decision-makers up-to-date with developments in over 70 conflicts and crises every month, identifying trends and alerting them to risks of escalation and opportunities to advance peace. In addition, CrisisWatch monitors over 50 situations (“standby monitoring”) to offer timely information if developments indicate a drift toward violence or instability. Entries dating back to 2003 provide easily searchable conflict histories.

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Trends for Last Month August 2024

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Bangladesh

Outlook for This Month September 2024

Conflict Risk Alerts

Myanmar

Resolution Opportunities

None

The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has brought the Middle East to its moment of greatest peril in years. All concerned must do their utmost to avoid regional war. The most important step, besides mutual restraint, is a Gaza ceasefire.

Even as Ukraine continues to resist Russia’s onslaught, it faces the challenge of reintegrating lands its army freed from Russian occupation in 2022. With aid from donors, there is much Kyiv can do to help make these areas peaceful and productive once more.

In The News

10 Sep 2024
The breakdown of the post-Cold War order has hit the U.N. hard. US News

Richard Gowan

UN Director
4 Sep 2024
[The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation] occurs amid intensifying frictions between China and the West, especially the U.S. Business Insider

Ali Wyne

Senior Research and Advocacy Adviser, U.S.-China
2 Sep 2024
There’s an incentive, not just for Israel, but also for the region in general, to calm down regional tensions and to restore stability.

David Wood

Senior Analyst, Lebanon
28 Aug 2024
If Israel can get away with killing Iranian allies in the middle of Tehran, there is no safe haven for Iranian leadership anywhere. New York Times

Ali Vaez

Senior Adviser to the President & Project Director, Iran
12 Aug 2024
[For Bangladesh's army] to have sided with Hasina at this juncture would have tarnished their image massively. AFP

Thomas Kean

Senior Consultant, Myanmar & Bangladesh
9 Aug 2024
In terms of Hamas’ popularity, yes they are the de facto leaders of Palestinians, whether we like it or not. New York Times

Tahani Mustafa

Senior Analyst, Palestine

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