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No quick victory over ISIS in Syria, Iraq
Can increased air strikes by a U.S.-led coalition and a few hundred special forces bring the Islamic State into submission in Syria and Iraq?
Two views on Hillary: “Yes, she can.”
Two News-Decoder “ambassadors” offer their thoughts on Hillary Clinton’s campaign to become the next U.S. president.
Terror lessons from an island nation
To see the future of national life after terror attacks, France or other countries blown by its ruthless wind could learn from Sri Lanka’s hard lessons.
Climate talks: end of the beginning
Climate negotiators will likely come up with a landmark deal to curb carbon emissions. But it will be just a start — the end of the beginning.
A transgender serving her community
Dee Colon is a transgender who has lived most of her life in a quiet New York community. Staying close to her roots has helped her survive.
Maria Isabel: “Children need our attention.”
“If we invest in children’s education, we guarantee a better future for our planet.”
Woodrow Wilson: Racist or Progressive?
He was U.S. president and won the Nobel Peace Prize. But should Woodrow Wilson’s name be removed from a U.S. university because he was a racist?
Two weeks on, Paris still mourns
Flowers, candles and messages of love mark the sites of the Paris attacks where survivors and mourners still congregate, two weeks after the massacres.
New Western drive not enough to defeat ISIS
The attacks in Paris have given new impetus to the struggle against extremism, but they also highlight the failures and limitations of Western policy.
No end to scandals & censure for world sport
New doping and corruption allegations besmirch the custodians of international sport — on a whole new scale.
The struggle to end violence against women
Despite the UN’s longstanding commitment to end violence against women, females continue to experience physical and sexual violence, especially during war.
Climate change: “Now we have a chance.”
The Paris climate talks could mark a turning point in the fight against global warming even if countries’ commitments fall short now, a French envoy says.
The limits of Russian muscle-flexing
The shooting down of a Russian warplane by Turkey could mark a turning point in President Vladimir Putin’s military muscle-flexing.
Drones: Weapons turned business boon
They can deliver medicine and kill from afar. Drones hold huge promise, but legal, security and regulatory questions hover over their future.
Why care about Syrian refugees?
It is worrying that young adults in the United States are so uninformed about the Syrian refugee crisis. Here are some basics.
East Europe hardens refugee stance
Following attacks in Paris by Islamist extremists, East and Central European countries’ reluctance to welcome refugees has turned to outright opposition.
Ethics and reporting on Syrian refugees
“As an ethical journalist, I needed to address the Syrian refugee crisis truthfully and give a voice to the voiceless.”
Yuki: “The world is a small village.”
“My Slavic friends helped me learn English and Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian (BCMS).”
U.S. candidates prodded into security debate
Attacks in Paris have jolted U.S. presidential candidates into advocating tougher action in Syria without committing large numbers of U.S. troops, with Republicans favoring curbs on Syrian refugees.
A brief guide to the Paris climate summit
The Paris climate summit, or COP 21, is starting soon. Here’s background on previous meetings and details on what negotiators want to achieve this time.
One minute, one hour, one day
Small units of time make the difference between life and death when acts of terror occur. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is what we dread. Being lucky is all we can hope for.
Thoughts on the Paris attacks
Three News-Decoder followers offer their thoughts on the Paris attacks.
Lookouts on the watchtower
“What if there is no pack? What if we don’t know what happened?” Elaine Monaghan reflects on the need for journalists on the front lines.
Shame, blame and denial
With the Islamic State luring young people to jihad, many European Muslims are ashamed they cannot offer their children an alternative dream.
A time to reflect
Extremist attacks are cause for concern, but they force us to reflect on how to protect our values. And how to co-exist with fellow humans, also scared.
Eiffel Tower, “I Internalize”
“Today I stand tall/Ambushed, petrified and weeping/I internalize”
War as an end in itself
After the Paris attacks, politicians are combative. But what if Islamic State’s goal was an escalation of conflict and Western boots on the ground?
Terrorism: A Global Phenomenon
It’s an age-old tactic, but experts say terrorist attacks have recently grown in breadth and intensity. Most recent attacks have occurred in five countries.
A new campaign of global jihad?
Carnage in Paris, the Sinai and Beirut appears to carry a clear message: Those who combat Islamic State can expect their own civilians to be targeted.
Why the Fed matters
The U.S. central bank — the “Fed” — is expected to raise interest rates soon, the first monetary tightening in years. Here’s why it matters to all of us.
Essential climate change reading
It’s a global problem that will require global solutions. Here’s a snapshot of attitudes around the world toward climate change. Must reading.
A black woman, with a little else mixed in
I am half-Chinese, half-Guinean. Sometimes it’s hard to answer the question, “Where are you from?”
Climate change made simple
The Paris climate change talks that start at the end of the month will be a confusing mix of numbers, nations and needs. There’s a book to make it simple.
Shea: Women’s Gold
A small, green fruit from a tree is helping fuel economic growth in Africa and could empower women across the continent.
Giulia and the complexity that surrounds us
“The refugee crisis deserves the most attention. Not only because it is a huge humanitarian issue unlikely to get better.”
Pollution, rules & tests: the VW scandal
The VW diesel car scandal has thrown a spotlight on health risks from pollution that can blanket entire cities in smog — and on regulatory shortcomings.
Big disputes over tiny islands in Asia
Islets, reefs and shoals in Asia are insignificant in size, but they are potential flash points between two of the world’s nuclear powers.
NATO: ex-Cold War pact faces new challenges
It grew out of the Cold War. Now the NATO alliance faces fresh challenges as Russia flexes its muscles in Eastern Europe and Syria.
Divided Korea: A family torn apart
Still officially at war, North and South Korea eye each other across the world’s most heavily militarized border — a regional standoff with global stakes.
World Population: Boom or Bust?
The world’s population will double this century, with most growth in Africa. But many nations are ageing quickly and face a new population challenge.
Scenes from Myanmar ahead of their vote
Two days before Myanmar’s general election, here are scenes from the streets of Yangon.
On the front line of the migrant crisis
I always wanted to cover people who left everything behind for a better future. That is how I landed in Morocco, alone with my camera, on hot spring day.
Syria, oh beautiful Syria, tomorrow we shall meet!
It’s hard to imagine Syria was once a capital of art. But its beauty lives in me. To Syria I owe my first poems, my Arabic writing and my favorite dramas.
Here With The Boys, The Concepción Sessions
Concepción is the birthplace of Chilean rock. It nurtures young artists, and veteran musicians return here after the wear of other parts.
Akinyi: “Afropolitan” and intensely curious
“I’m half-Gambian, half-Kenyan, was born in the UK and grew up in the United States, so I have always been intensely curious about the broader narrative of globalization.”
Millennials: Beware a retirement time-bomb
Young people are forcing wrenching change in business and finance. But they face a retirement time-bomb unless they change their savings habits.
Beer, champagne and a changed relationship
Chinese President Xi Jinping burnished his image and sealed deals during a trip to Britain that underscored a changed relationship and Beijing’s ascent.
Who’s your hero?
We asked News-Decoder ambassadors to name a hero. Their pantheon is as diverse as we want News-Decoder’s community to be.
Child labor: Gray areas in Myanmar
At school I studied child labor in its worst forms. In Myanmar, I see it’s not easy to separate right from wrong. But foreign investors must take heed.
Paul: It all started with a ghost on stage
“My experience in Ukraine convinced me of the importance of living abroad and learning as much as you can about different people and cultures.”