Lebanon’s Children, Nuclear Deterrence, Just Climate, and More
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Soon, Israel will have been waging war on the besieged Gaza Strip for a year. Yet, as the fighting in Gaza continues, Israeli forces have also escalated attacks in Lebanon, where they say they’re targeting the armed group Hezbollah. Lebanon’s no stranger to conflict and strife, as Madeline Edwards reports, and a new generation of children is now coming of age during yet another war.
Last Thursday marked the annual International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. While US nuclear policy has centered around deterrence, Danny Hall argues in a new op-ed, it’s time for policymakers to reassess the failed strategy. After all, civilization is on the line.
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“The Lebanese Children Coming of Age During War” by Madeline Edwards (Sept. 23)
Since the start of Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip, the country’s military has also been engaged in tit-for-tat attacks with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Now, Israel has ramped up airstrikes and attacks across Lebanon, an escalation that puts everyone – including children – at grave risk.
“Wars May End, but the Risks They Pose Stick Around” by Andrea Mazzarino (Sept. 23)
Long before this century’s American-led wars on terror started, militaries had already established just such a deadly legacy through their use of unexploded ordnance and mines. The risks such ordnance and mines pose last long after the war ends.
“Responsible Leaders Don’t Ignore Nuclear Deterrence Failures” by Danny Hall (Sept. 24)
We have been lucky enough to avoid a catastrophic failure of nuclear deterrence for more than 70 years, but that record understates how close we came to causing our own destruction. The story of nuclear weapons will have an ending: it will either be the end of nuclear weapons or the end of human civilization.
“Amid Conflict and Climate Challenges, the UN is Faltering” by Andrew Cheatham (Sept. 24)
As democratic ideals recede, so does the ability of global institutions to address the complex, interconnected problems they were designed to solve. Without reinvigorated leadership and a renewed commitment to cooperation, the multilateral vision of peace and security could be left on the sidelines.
“Major Defense Industry Union Backs Green Jobs ‘Just Transition’” by Taylor Barnes (Sept. 25)
A retiree from a military contractor in Connecticut spent years lobbying his union to focus on climate change and green jobs. In September, the Machinists enthusiastically endorsed his vision.
“Deep Dive: Power to the People?” Emily Tamkin (Sept. 26)
Populists participate in and shape democracy — but do they believe in it? That’s the question that Julian Erhardt and Maximilian Filsinger set out to tackle in their new article published in the journal of West European Politics.
From the desk of Patrick Strickland, managing editor of Inkstick Media.