Conflict & Justice

black and white image of four people

Historians are learning more about how the Nazis targeted trans people

This is an important case. It was the first time a court recognized the persecution of trans people in Nazi Germany. It was followed a few months later by the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament, formally releasing a statement recognizing trans and cisgender queer people as victims of fascism.

Historians are learning more about how the Nazis targeted trans people
Black, white and blue illustration of a man wearing a mask, helmet and sunglasses, centered, with a skull behind him.

A conversation with a former member of Wagner: ‘They were like little kings or czars’

A conversation with a former member of Wagner: ‘They were like little kings or czars’
Black and white illustration of a boat on rocky waters

A boat carrying 180 Rohingya refugees vanished. A frantic phone call helped untangle the mystery.

A boat carrying 180 Rohingya refugees vanished. A frantic phone call helped untangle the mystery.
man with guitar

This blues musician fled Russia for Serbia. But he sounds like he came straight from the Mississippi Delta.

This blues musician fled Russia for Serbia. But he sounds like he came straight from the Mississippi Delta.
land

Brazilian Congress moves to limit Indigenous land claims 

Brazilian Congress moves to limit Indigenous land claims 
Tattoo artists tattooing their clients.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism

In many ways, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has become a war of identity and self-expression. Many Ukranians are turning to tattoos to show their patriotism.

Ukrainians embrace tattoos as a form of patriotism
bedroom

Arrest of online influencer Andrew Tate puts Romania’s webcam industry in the spotlight

Webcam studio owners say the business is legal. Anti-sex-trafficking groups say the Andrew Tate case tells a different story.

Arrest of online influencer Andrew Tate puts Romania’s webcam industry in the spotlight
Soldiers line up before leaving to patrol the streets in Bogotá, Colombia, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019. 

Use the force: Part II

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into what happened when Colombia’s military took on police work in Cali, the country’s third-largest city.

Use the force: Part II
Bollywood actresses from left, Siddhi Idnani, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, Adah Sharma and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah during a press conference for the movie "The Kerala Story" in Mumbai, India, May 17, 2023.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?

“The Kerala Story” is a fictionalized film that has sparked debate in India. It's about Hindu women being tricked into joining ISIS. The filmmakers say they are uncovering a hidden truth, while others say the film is exaggerated and divisive.

Is the fictional film 'The Kerala Story' cautionary or propaganda?
man outside

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 

​​​​​​​In 1989, the Ukrainian punk rock band Vopli Vidopliassova released an album called “Tantsi” or “Dances.” In 2019, the original session tape was rediscovered, and in 2023, Tantsi was finally officially released.

Ukrainian rock band Vopli Vidopliassova and fans rediscover an old hit 
Ilona Kravchenko and Jan Vana perform in “Giselle” with the Ukrainian Classical Ballet in Bucharest, Romania.

The long fight for arts and culture in Ukraine as war rages on

When Russia's full-scale invasion in Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, the pursuits of many of Ukraine's leading artists and cultural institutions came to a halt. The World takes a look back at the myriad ways in which war impacted artistic and cultural expression in Ukraine, and how advocates continue to work tirelessly to keep making art against all odds.

The long fight for arts and culture in Ukraine as war rages on
women with signs

After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet

​​​​​​​Last December, in yet another blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban announced a ban on women working for nongovernmental organizations. Thousands of women lost their jobs overnight. The months since have been some of the most difficult for them.

After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet
mosque

‘Back to normal’ at Jerusalem’s holiest site 

Authorities managed to avoid a worst-case scenario at the holiest site in Jerusalem during the overlapping religious holidays of Easter, Passover and Ramadan that ended a few weeks ago. Now, things are returning to normal at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

‘Back to normal’ at Jerusalem’s holiest site 
The Toftul children with their mother, Alona Toftul in Cazilhac, France.

Starting over in France: How some Ukrainian families are trying to embrace their new lives

For many Ukrainians and Russians who’ve fled their homes since the war started, returning is not an option. So, they’re beginning again in new places and confronting new challenges. As part of our ongoing series on starting over, we visit Cazilhac, a tiny village in southwest France, where a humanitarian bus brought dozens of Ukrainian families to safety around a year ago. Today, just three of them remain.

Starting over in France: How some Ukrainian families are trying to embrace their new lives
man at podium

Afghans who fled to the US hope that Congress will fix their status 

After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban almost two years ago in August, tens of thousands of Afghans made their way to the United States. They were allowed to stay under a program called “humanitarian parole.” But that status expires in a couple of months, and although they can renew one time, many are calling for Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow them to seek more permanent status.

Afghans who fled to the US hope that Congress will fix their status