Borders

demonstration

Vietnam draft dodgers who settled in Canada have influenced some of its small towns for generations

Tens of thousands of young American men went to Canada to avoid being conscripted to fight in Vietnam. Some Canadians welcomed them, while others wanted nothing to do with these "hippies." But many of those who stayed — and half of them did — would go on to be leaders in their communities as politicians, environmental activists and teachers and have a lasting impact on Canada's small towns.

Vietnam draft dodgers who settled in Canada have influenced some of its small towns for generations
two women

Faith and family sustain this Kyiv family in wartime Ukraine

Faith and family sustain this Kyiv family in wartime Ukraine
staff in lobby area

Prominent Afghan news organization reports on life under Taliban rule from Maryland 

Prominent Afghan news organization reports on life under Taliban rule from Maryland 
highway

A Cuban filmmaker returns home to see his family during the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades

A Cuban filmmaker returns home to see his family during the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades
a person at the exhibit

Artist Yun-Fei Ji grew up during China's Cultural Revolution. He ponders art as 'global citizenship.'

Artist Yun-Fei Ji grew up during China's Cultural Revolution. He ponders art as 'global citizenship.'
President George W. Bush declares the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast. But the war dragged on for many years after that.

Citizen pain: Part II

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into how the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 not only dismantled the government but destroyed an entire nation, forcing a mass exodus of certain ethnic and religious minorities.

Citizen pain: Part II
rockstar inside a home

Ukrainian rock star reflects on a year of war in his country

Svyatoslav Vakarchuk is vocal about supporting Ukraine, visiting troops on the front lines and raising money for the country. 

Ukrainian rock star reflects on a year of war in his country
road in winter

Ukrainians move home and promise: ‘It’s going to go back to normal’ 

In parts of northern Ukraine, near the border with Belarus, Russian troops were firmly in control for several weeks early last year. One village occupied by Russian soldiers and later retaken by Ukrainian forces is in the middle of trying to rebuild. 

Ukrainians move home and promise: ‘It’s going to go back to normal’ 
Buildings on Central Street in Borodyanka, a Kyiv suburb, were directly struck by Russian missiles.

‘I did it with my own two hands’: Ukrainians rebuild even as war continues

Over the last year, Kyiv’s northern suburbs have become symbols of Russian occupation, atrocities and destruction. But Ukrainians have already begun to rebuild — despite a lack of financial support from the government.

‘I did it with my own two hands’: Ukrainians rebuild even as war continues
people at beach

Ukrainians reflect on life a year into war 

​​In late February of 2022, even as Russian troops moved closer to Ukraine's border and all signs pointed to war, many Ukrainians woke up in disbelief as tanks started to roll into their country. Several Ukrainians shared their memories of Russia's invasion of Ukraine — before and after — which happened a year ago this week.

Ukrainians reflect on life a year into war 
soldiers on field

A year of war in Ukraine: A timeline of key moments

Russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine that began on Feb. 24, 2022, sent shockwaves around the world. It’s now been a year since Russia’s war in Ukraine began. Here’s an account, by month, of some of the key moments in the conflict.

A year of war in Ukraine: A timeline of key moments
Workers repair the railway part of the Crimean Bridge connecting Russian mainland and Crimean peninsula over the Kerch Strait, in Kerch, Crimea, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. 

Crimean Tatars long to return to a liberated Crimea

After nearly a full year of war with Russia, Ukrainian leaders say victory will come when the Russians make a full retreat out of Ukraine — including the Crimean Peninsula.

Crimean Tatars long to return to a liberated Crimea
The Talyzenkov family, currently living in London, England, heads back to Ukraine for a weeklong visit.

‘Family is everything’: A train ride to a long-awaited reunion in Ukraine

The Talyzenkov family heads back to Ukraine by train for a weeklong visit. The two children are eager to reunite with their father, who is currently serving in the army.

‘Family is everything’: A train ride to a long-awaited reunion in Ukraine
people search through rubble

‘There were screams everywhere’: Residents of northwest Syria grapple with quake aftermath

​​​​​​​Entire neighborhoods have been leveled in northwestern Syria, where an earthquake struck in the early hours of Monday morning. This region of Syria is home to millions of people displaced by years of civil war. Even before the quake, they had been living in already dire conditions.

‘There were screams everywhere’: Residents of northwest Syria grapple with quake aftermath
billboard over building

LGBTQ Russians are fleeing to Central Asia

When Russia started drafting men to fight in Ukraine last fall, thousands fled to neighboring countries in Central Asia. The draft has been paused and some are returning home. But less so for members of the LGBTQ community, who say the government's increasing hostility has made Russia unsafe.

LGBTQ Russians are fleeing to Central Asia