Latest Updates

An Unexpected Reprieve in Idlib: COVID-19 and the Syrian Ceasefire

As the war-torn province of Idlib braces itself for the deadly impact of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been some startling good news: June saw the lowest monthly civilian death toll since the Syrian conflict began in 2011. The lull in fighting presents an opportunity to begin addressing the humanitarian situation in Idlib before COVID-19 cases rise. On the CIC blog, the authors of our May 2020 briefing provide an update on the situation and explain how to prevent further humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria.
Read more
Aug 17, 2020
Hanny Megally , Leah Zamore
Syria
Humanitarian Crises

High-Level Open Debate of the UN Security Council: Pandemics and the Challenges of Sustaining Peace

The challenge of sustaining peace has been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis has caused multi-dimensional disruption, putting gains on the ground in peace, security, development, and human rights at risk. However, the pandemic has also created opportunities for more integrated approaches to peacebuilding and sustaining peace. On August 12, CIC's director Sarah Cliffe joined the current and former United Nations secretary-generals to brief the Security Council on the conflict risks posed by COVID-19 and options for the multilateral response.

Read more

Afghanistan: What Everyone Needs to Know

A new book by Barnett Rubin, senior fellow and director of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Regional Project at CIC, was recently published by Oxford University Press. Afghanistan: What Everyone Needs to Know is a concise introduction to the issues facing Afghanistan today.

Read more
Aug 03, 2020
Barnett Rubin
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan-Pakistan Regional Project

Unparalleled: COVID-19 and the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

After five years of devastating conflict, Yemen now faces an escalating COVID-19 crisis—one that jeopardizes not only Yemeni lives, but global health security. This report explains how Yemen became so vulnerable to COVID-19, traces the impact of the pandemic so far, including the risk to vulnerable groups, and offers a critical perspective on the international action necessary to prevent further catastrophe in a country already suffering the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

Read more
Jul 22, 2020
Leah Zamore, Hanny Megally
Middle East
Crises, Humanitarian Crises
Humanitarian Crises

Justice for All and the Economic Crisis

Residents of the Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro during street cleaning to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered what may be the worst global recession since the Second World War—and the economic impact will affect access to justice. The briefing examines how the economic effects of COVID-19 impact common justice problems, and lays out recommendations for how justice systems can anticipate and innovate in response to aid the recovery.

Read more
Jul 09, 2020
David Steven, Maaike de Langen
Maaike de Langen
2030 Agenda, Crises, Rule of Law
Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

Pages