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Conflict and Peace

Stories related to violent conflicts, diplomatic tensions, and conflict prevention, mediation and resolution.

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US threatens to give up mediation efforts unless Russia and Ukraine put forward "concrete proposals”

US threatens to give up mediation efforts unless Russia and Ukraine put forward "concrete proposals”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Tuesday that the United States would give up on mediation unless Russia and Ukraine put forward "concrete proposals," as US patience wanes on an early priority for Donald Trump. The US president had vowed to end the war in his first 24 hours back in the White House but, as Trump celebrates 100 days in office, Rubio has suggested the administration could soon turn attention to other issues.
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Opinion
Opinion: Trilateral meeting in Tbilisi - what does it mean for the South Caucasus?

Opinion: Trilateral meeting in Tbilisi - what does it mean for the South Caucasus?

On April 17, 2025, Tbilisi played host to a historic moment, as the foreign ministers of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia convened for the first-ever formal trilateral consultations. The central aim of the parties was to establish a transparent channel for dialogue and explore concrete steps for regional cooperation. The discussions were notably constructive, the parties identified several areas for potential collaboration, and importantly, the meeting set the stage for further talks, with a promise to follow up on the progress made and to develop a more comprehensive roadmap for trilateral cooperation. It was a signal that the political realities of the region are shifting. Now it is important to understand why such cooperation was not possible until now and why it has become possible only today.

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Editor's choice
Opinion
Opinion:  Compromise necessary to overcome Armenia-Azerbaijan Constitutional Impasse?

Opinion: Compromise necessary to overcome Armenia-Azerbaijan Constitutional Impasse?

Since February 2020, it is not uncommon for the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to appear on the same stage at international events – or at least at the Munich Security Conference. The same has not been true for their foreign ministers. That changed on April 12 at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a notable moment just weeks after the finalisation of a long-overdue treaty aimed at normalising relations between the two countries. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the meeting carried clear symbolic significance.
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Russia to host special summit with Arab states

Russia to host special summit with Arab states

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday that Russia will host a special Russian-Arab summit later this year. The announcement came during Putin's meeting at the Kremlin with the Omani sultan, Haitham bin Tariq Al-Said, the first-ever state visit of the Arab country's sultan to Russia.
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The world reacts to the death of Pope Francis

The world reacts to the death of Pope Francis

World leaders remembered Pope Francis as "a beacon of compassion", reacting with sadness after the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics died on Monday. From King Charles III to Russian president Vladimir Putin, leaders from across the globe took a moment to hail the 88-year-old pontiff, whose death came just a day after he delighted the crowds of worshippers at the Vatican on Easter Sunday with an appearance on the balcony at Saint Peter's Basilica.
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Pope Francis dies aged 88

Pope Francis dies aged 88

Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas and the southern hemisphere, has died Monday 21 April aged 88. He will go down in history as a radical pope, a champion of underdogs who forged a more compassionate Catholic Church while stopping short of overhauling centuries-old dogma. Dubbed "the people's Pope", the Argentine pontiff loved being among his flock and was popular with the faithful, though he faced bitter opposition from traditionalists within the Church.
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Pope Francis dies. A courageous Pope who changed the Catholic Church but failed to change the world

Pope Francis dies. A courageous Pope who changed the Catholic Church but failed to change the world

Pope Francis, leader of the Catholic Church and of hundreds of millions of Catholics worldwide, died on Monday (21 April) aged 88. In the time he was Pope, since 2013, Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church, though his attempts to change the world through his numerous calls for peace failed.
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Monday Commentary
Monday Commentary: Al-Sharaa returns Syria back to the world stage

Monday Commentary: Al-Sharaa returns Syria back to the world stage

The new Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, made an important appearance on the world stage in the last days, visiting Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. This was not al Sharaa’s first international outing since overthrowing the Baathist regime, led by Bashir al-Assad, in December. In February he visited Saudi Arabia and made short stops in Türkiye and Egypt. But this time round the visits appeared better prepared. In Türkiye, al Sharaa participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum where he met some of the world leaders and delegations present. He also met with Turkiye’s President, Recip Tayib Erdogan. From Antalya, al-Sharaa flew to Abu Dhabi for meetings with the UAE President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, and other Emirati officials.
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Oman to mediate high level Iran – US nuclear talks in Rome

Oman to mediate high level Iran – US nuclear talks in Rome

The United States and Iran are set to resume high-stakes talks on Saturday 19 April on Tehran's nuclear programme, a week after an initial round of discussions that both sides described as "constructive". Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will hold the Oman-mediated talks in Rome. They come one week after the two sides held what Iran called indirect talks in Muscat. Those were the first talks at such a high level between the foes since US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord in 2018.
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Amputee Palestinian boy image wins World Press Photo award

Amputee Palestinian boy image wins World Press Photo award

A haunting portrait of a nine-year-old Palestinian boy who lost both arms during an Israeli attack on Gaza City won the 2025 World Press Photo of the Year Award Thursday. The picture, by Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times, depicts Mahmoud Ajjour, evacuated to Doha after an explosion severed one arm and mutilated the other last year. 
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Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan Hold Trilateral Talks in Tbilisi

Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan Hold Trilateral Talks in Tbilisi

A trilateral meeting between Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia was held in Tbilisi on April 17, with the participation of Georgian deputy foreign minister Lasha Darsalia and his counterparts, Azerbaijan’s Elnur Mammadov and Armenia’s Vahan Kostanyan, along with their delegations. The Foreign Minister of Georgia Maka Botchorishvili also took part in the talks.