Borders
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.
Faith and family sustain this Kyiv family in wartime Ukraine
Prominent Afghan news organization reports on life under Taliban rule from Maryland
A Cuban filmmaker returns home to see his family during the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades
Artist Yun-Fei Ji grew up during China's Cultural Revolution. He ponders art as 'global citizenship.'
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
‘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.
‘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.
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.