Theme

Conflict and Peace

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

Editor's choice
News
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.
Editor's choice
News
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. 

Filter archive

Publication date
Editor's choice
News
The National Mine Action Coordination Platform commemorates the “International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance Mine Action”

The National Mine Action Coordination Platform commemorates the “International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance Mine Action”

On Thursday 3 April the “National Mine Action Coordination Platform,” in collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), held its annual workshop in Armenia to mark the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action observed globally on 4 April.
Editor's choice
News
LINKS Europe holds expert conference in The Hague on political transition in the South Caucasus

LINKS Europe holds expert conference in The Hague on political transition in the South Caucasus

A conference organised in The Hague by LINKS Europe Foundation brought together experts and activists from the South Caucasus, the European Union and beyond to discuss the current state of political transition in the region. The gathering gave particular attention to the European Union's evolving role in the region amidst rapidly changing domestic and regional dynamics as well as Türkiye's influence as a regional power.
Editor's choice
News
Finland, Poland and Baltic countries to withdraw from anti-personnel mine ban treaty due to Russian threat

Finland, Poland and Baltic countries to withdraw from anti-personnel mine ban treaty due to Russian threat

Finland's prime minister has announced that Finland plans to withdraw from the international treaty banning the use of anti-personnel mines, citing the threat from Russia. The announcement comes two weeks after Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia took a first step towards also quitting the treaty, with them all pointing to the increased security risk from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.Finland's prime minister has announced that Finland plans to withdraw from the international treaty banning the use of anti-personnel mines, citing the threat from Russia. The announcement comes two weeks after Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia took a first step towards also quitting the treaty, with them all pointing to the increased security risk from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Editor's choice
Monday Commentary
Monday Commentary: Türkiye’s changing and growing role in the South Caucasus

Monday Commentary: Türkiye’s changing and growing role in the South Caucasus

Last week, LINKS Europe organised a major conference in the Hague with the theme, “The South Caucasus, again in transition”. The event brought together experts, policy practitioners, and political voices from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to discuss the regional dynamics in the South Caucasus and the role of the European Union and Türkiye in the region.
Editor's choice
News
Statement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Political Dialogue Platform

Statement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Political Dialogue Platform

ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN EXPERT POLITICAL DIALOGUE PLATFORM STATEMENT – 3 April 2025 The first meeting of the new Armenia-Azerbaijan Political Dialogue Platform was held in The Hague, The Netherlands on 2–3 April on the margins of the Conference organised by LINKS Europe entitled “The South Caucasus: Again in Transition”. The meeting was attended by the following members of the platform: Stepan Grigoryan (Armenia), Johnny Melikyan (Armenia), Benyamin Poghosyan (Armenia); Ahmad Alili (Azerbaijan); Mehman Aliyev (Azerbaijan) and Ramazan Samadov (Azerbaijan). LINKS Europe is facilitating and chairing the Platform. The members of the platform noted with pleasure that Armenia and Azerbaijan had in the last eighteen months, in direct negotiations, discussed and reached agreements on a number of issues, including on issues related to border delimitation and the text of a peace agreement between them. The members of the Platform welcomed these developments and stated their readiness to work together to strengthen and build on these achievements. The members of the platform stated that they remain vigilant to the risk of a deterioration of the situation and will do their utmost to prevent any such deterioration. The members of the platform welcomed the focus on the European Union and Turkey, as key external partners of the region, in the conference “The South Caucasus, again in transition”. On the European Union, the members of the platform noted recent developments and efforts by the EU to play an increased positive role as a global player. The members of the platform welcomed the continued interest and engagement of the EU with the South Caucasus. The members of the Platform called on the EU to develop a unified and clear strategy on the South Caucasus and called for discussions on this strategy to start. The members of the platform discussed a number of practical steps that they will take in the future, including in the development of Armenia-Azerbaijan media contacts. The members of the Platform called for a dialogue between the three countries of the South Caucasus and Turkey. They expressed their readiness to work in this direction through work and contact with Turkish Partners. The members of the platform thanked LINKS Europe for its work. They noted that the LINKS Europe segment of the EU4Peace III initiative includes new and innovative work that aims to involve a new generation in the process of regional peace. The members of the platform stand ready to support LINKS Europe in its endeavours.
Editor's choice
News
Israel’s military operation expanding to seize ‘large areas’ in Gaza Strip

Israel’s military operation expanding to seize ‘large areas’ in Gaza Strip

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday a major expansion of military operations in Hamas-run Gaza, saying the army would seize "large areas" of the Palestinian territory. Katz said Israel would bolster its presence in the Gaza Strip to "destroy and clear the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure". The operation would "seize large areas that will be incorporated into Israeli security zones", he said in a statement, without specifying how much territory.
Editor's choice
News
Trump lashes out at both Zelensky and Putin over ceasefire talks

Trump lashes out at both Zelensky and Putin over ceasefire talks

US President Donald Trump lashed out at the leaders of both warring parties in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, expressing frustration as efforts to kick-start ceasefire talks remain deadlocked. Trump is trying to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and its Russian invader, and has been pushing Zelensky to sign an agreement to give US firms exclusive access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals.
Editor's choice
Monday Commentary
Monday Commentary: Yemen – the forgotten conflict

Monday Commentary: Yemen – the forgotten conflict

The civil war in Yemen has been going on for ten years, and the world has pretended not to notice. It is only when the conflict spills over to neighbouring countries and regions that we see a flurry of activity, usually of the wrong kind. This was the case when targets in UAE and Saudi Arabia came under attack, or more recently when shipping in the Red Sea was targeted by Yemen’s current ruling group, the Houthis.