by Susan Ruel | 2 Aug 2021 | Americas, Asia, Conflict, Eyewitness, Islam, Personal Reflections, Terrorism
New Yorkers will never forget the attack on our city of 20 years ago. But will Americans remember the lessons of 9/11 and of the war in Afghanistan? Survivors of the attacks in New York, 11 September 2001 (AP Photo/Gulnara Samoilova) Next month will mark 20 years...
by Susan Ruel | 7 Oct 2020 | Health and Wellness, Politics
Both the 1918 flu pandemic and COVID-19 struck during crucial U.S. elections, infecting the nation’s leaders. But in 1918, a world war was raging. A hospital in Kansas during the 1918 flu epidemic (Wikimedia Commons) After six months of sheltering in place due...
by Susan Ruel | 7 Jan 2020 | Africa
Among pro-democracy protesters around the world in 2019, youth and women in Sudan led a movement that ousted a ruthless, 30-year dictatorship. A Sudanese boy during a protest in Khartoum, Sudan, 18 July 2019 (AP Photo/Mahmoud Hjaj) Authoritarian-style governments have...
by Susan Ruel | 27 Jun 2019 | Americas, Health and Wellness, United States, Women's rights
What was it like in the U.S. before abortion was legal? A doctor recalls botched, amateur procedures and fears health risks if abortion is re-criminalized. A demonstrator favoring abortion rights holds a “Save Roe” sign, 1 July 2005, Washington, DC (EPA/Mike Theiler)...
by Susan Ruel | 8 Jan 2019 | Asia, China, Globalization, Human Rights
China has exploded to superpower status since I lived there 40 years ago. On a recent visit, the progress was unmistakable. But so were shortcomings. The author dressed for work in many layers to teach all winter without heat in 1981-82 Thumb-sucker anniversary...