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Quel est l’avenir de la protection médicale en temps de guerre ? Dans cet entretien, Pascal Boniface reçoit Rony Brauman, médecin, membre de MSF Crash et ancien président de Médecins sans frontières (MSF). À l’occasion des dix ans de la résolution 2286 du Conseil de sécurité de l’ONU, ils échangent sur la protection des hôpitaux, des soignants et des patients en zones de conflit.

Rony Brauman rappelle le caractère sacré des lieux de soin : les hôpitaux, les malades et les équipes médicales bénéficient d’une protection renforcée, car une attaque contre eux menace non seulement des vies immédiates, mais aussi l’avenir des populations qui pourraient en dépendre.

Pourtant, malgré cette résolution historique, les violences sont systémiques. Syrie, Gaza, Yémen, Soudan du Sud, Ukraine… les attaques se multiplient, souvent justifiées par des accusations non prouvées. Il dénonce l’impunité des belligérants et le recul du droit humanitaire, appelant à des sanctions internationales pour mettre fin à ces crimes de guerre.

L’article Hôpitaux : cibles de guerre. Avec Rony Brauman, médecin et membre de MSF Crash est apparu en premier sur IRIS.

By External Source
May 1 2026 (IPS)

On May 3rd, the world marks World Press Freedom Day – a United Nations observance dedicated to the fundamental principles of press freedom.

First proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, the day traces its origins to the Windhoek Declaration, adopted by African journalists in 1991, calling for a free, independent and pluralistic press.

In 2026, World Press Freedom Day is observed under the theme: “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security.”

UNESCO says the day is a reminder to governments of their commitment to press freedom. It is also a day of reflection for media professionals, a day of support for media under pressure, and a day of remembrance for journalists who have lost their lives in pursuit of a story.

This year’s global commemoration comes at a time of growing concern.

UNESCO’s latest World Trends Report finds that freedom of expression has declined globally since 2012, while self-censorship among journalists has risen sharply. The report also highlights growing physical, digital and legal threats against journalists.

Between January 2022 and September 2025, UNESCO recorded the killing of 310 journalists, including 162 killed in conflict zones.

The 2026 World Press Freedom Day Global Conference will be held on May 4th and 5th in Lusaka, Zambia, co-hosted by UNESCO and the Government of Zambia.

The conference will bring together journalists, digital rights advocates, policymakers, civil society, researchers and technology experts to discuss how journalism, technology, human rights and information integrity can support more resilient societies.

As conflicts, disinformation and pressures on independent media continue to grow, World Press Freedom Day is a reminder that access to reliable information is not only a media issue.

It is a human rights issue.

A development issue.

And a peace and security issue.

IPS UN Bureau

 

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“We choose hope because despair is a form of surrender that we cannot accept,” UN Ambassador to the Philippines, Enrique Manolo, told civil society representatives and the diplomatic community, considering the question of whether to pursue nuclear disarmament in a world that is becoming more polarized on the issue. At an event hosted on the […]

Es ist völlig unklar, wann der Irankrieg endet und wie er ausgeht. Welche Folgen hat das für den Nahen Osten – und welche für den amerikanischen Präsidenten?

Ask any academic about how they have come to their present station in their careers and they will talk at some point about the role of chance. The conversation in a queue at a coffee break at a conference, the sitting in on a departmental seminar series, the email on a disciplinary mailing list: the joining of ideas, the crossing of peoples’ paths.

Out of these moments has much research emerged. To take one example, the 2004 volcanic ash cloud that closed transatlantic air transport for over a week, trapping hundreds of European international relations scholars in Canada as their conference was ending, reputedly produced dozens of articles, funding bids and collaborative networks as people found they had time to sit, talk, brainstorm and advance ideas that might otherwise have been lost to the constant pressures of managing a regular workload.

All of which is to say that the advancement of knowledge through research doesn’t follow a straight or foreseeable path. And the growing focus of funding bodies on strategic priorities risks undermining the valuable possibilities that come from a rich and supportive research environment.

The move towards funding priority topics is partly understandable by the desire of funders to demonstrate their direct contribution to areas of political and public interest: research for gain instead of research for its own sake, if you will. In an age of tightening budgets, performance metrics and stakeholder accountability the incentives are clear.

But we now find ourselves at risk of moving too far in this direction.

Firstly, the world moves fast and uncertainly. If priorities are updated too slowly, then we risk missing important new agendas, but if they move too quickly, there is a danger that funding never lasts long enough to allow for the production of sufficiently deep analysis and findings. Supporting researchers to follow many paths – that may for time to time becoming more salient – actually improves the ability to speak to changing needs.

Secondly, priority relies on the existence of a pool of experienced researchers who can bid into designated pots of funding. But if there isn’t the support to allow such people to learn and develop in the absence of targeted monies, then the upsides of prioritisation are severely eroded.

And finally, research has never been just about material benefits. The pursuit of knowledge – in all its forms – is a human endeavour, with intrinsic value. Just as higher education can’t be simply a vehicle for getting a better-paid job, so too must research retain its wider purpose of supporting our understanding of the world and of ourselves.

That means we need to protect funding streams both within individual institutions and from external funders to allow researchers the opportunity to pursue their own agendas and ideas, and to be able to share, discuss and develop them with their communities of practice.

Having been a chair of UACES, which brings together European Studies researchers from across the world and from multiple disciplines, I have been repeatedly delighted and educated by what the rich tapestry of a vibrant and mutually supportive research environment can bring to my own work and to the full range of stakeholders, from politicians to the general public, activists to journalists.

If we can continue to preserve the value of supporting research in the broadest sense then we can not only make targeted funding work more effectively and sustainably, but also ensure that the broadest values of research are protected and shared with everyone.

Simon Usherwood is Professor of Politics and International Studies at the Open University and former Chair of UACES.

The post Why Research Needs a Supportive Environment as Much as Funding Priorities appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

Displaced mothers and children at a malnutrition treatment center in Chuil, Jonglei State, South Sudan. Credit: WFP/Gabriela Vivacqua

By Oritro Karim
UNITED NATIONS, May 1 2026 (IPS)

In 2026, the humanitarian situation in South Sudan has taken a considerable turn for the worse, with widespread food shortages, ongoing disruptions to food production systems, and rising rates of malnutrition affecting over half of the population. Compounded by the vast scale of needs and an overwhelming lack of access to basic services, humanitarian experts warn that nationwide levels of hunger are projected to worsen to catastrophic levels if urgent intervention is not secured.

On April 28, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP) published a joint statement underscoring the escalation of the hunger crisis in South Sudan, noting that approximately 56 percent of the population, or roughly 7.8 million people, are projected to face acute food insecurity by July. They stress that the main drivers of food insecurity are climate shocks, flooding, mass displacement, and protracted armed conflict, all of which hinder effective agricultural yields and reduce food availability for hundreds of thousands of families.

“Hunger in South Sudan is intensifying, not stabilizing,” said Ross Smith, WFP Director of Emergencies and Preparedness. “Between April and July of this year, more than half of the population is projected to face crisis levels of hunger or worse, including people already in catastrophic conditions, where starvation and a collapse of livelihoods are a daily reality. This is among the highest proportions of any country’s population facing crisis levels of hunger today.”

The latest figures from the Integrated Food Security Classification Phase (IPC) show that over 280,000 additional civilians have been pushed into acute food insecurity since late 2025, including 73,000 civilians who are facing catastrophic (IPC Phase 5) levels of hunger. This marks a 160 percent increase from last year’s figures. An additional 2.5 million people face emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of hunger, and 5.3 million have been reported to rely on unsustainable coping mechanisms to survive.

Children have been hit particularly hard, with UNICEF reporting that approximately 2.2 million children between the ages of six months and five years suffer from acute malnutrition, marking an increase of over 100,000 cases compared to last year. Over 700,000 children are projected to face the highest levels of hunger by July. Roughly 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished, which has significantly dangerous, long-term implications for both mothers and children.

“Every day of delayed humanitarian access and supply delivery is a day a child’s life and future hangs in the balance,” said Lucia Elmi, UNICEF Director of Emergencies. “We are calling on all parties to grant timely, safe access to conflict-affected, including areas of displacement, and scale up nutrition interventions. We must act now if we are to save children’s lives.”

Widespread displacement continues to hinder South Sudan’s road to recovery, with rampant insecurity, overcrowding, and a shortage of critical supplies in displacement shelters complicating humanitarian relief efforts. The UN agencies note that nearly 300,000 people have been displaced this year in the Jonglei state alone, with many communities entirely cut off from humanitarian assistance. Numerous families report being unable to access food services due to rising prices, disrupted markets, and economic decline, which has significantly reduced household purchasing power.

Additionally, displaced communities face elevated risks of contracting infectious diseases due to persistent overcrowding and unsanitary conditions. The agencies have recorded a sharp rise in cholera, malaria, and measles infections, particularly among “vulnerable and already acutely malnourished children”. Furthermore, treatment for malnutrition has been severely compromised over the past several months, with a substantial portion of the nation’s healthcare and nutritional support facilities having been damaged or closed entirely due to conflict. Life-saving medical interventions are largely unavailable due to continued shortages of medical supplies.

In April, IPC conducted a detailed Risk of Famine Analysis, assessing hunger conditions across seven counties to determine which regions were at a high risk of developing famine. The analysis identified four counties that are projected to contract famine in the coming months, a significant increase from just one county identified last year. The Upper Nile and Jonglei regions are particularly vulnerable, as the renewed escalation of armed hostilities has driven further displacement and reduced humanitarian reach to the most at-risk communities.

Risks are especially pronounced in Akobo, where IPC projects the return of over 100,000 South Sudanese civilians currently displaced in Gambela and Ethiopia. This large-scale return could further exacerbate hunger conditions, as humanitarian and healthcare personnel face severe shortages of supplies, funding, and staffing in assisting already strained communities.

IPC also warns that hunger conditions could escalate to catastrophic levels (IPC Phase 5) in the coming months across multiple areas, including Doma and Yomding in Ulang County; Pulturuk, Waat, and Thol Lankien in Nyirol County; and Kuerenge Ke and Mading in southern Nasir County. All of these regions remain largely inaccessible due to ongoing conflict, which has limited humanitarian reach.

In response, the UN has called for an end to the isolation of these communities in relief efforts, stressing the urgent need for closer monitoring and a strengthened humanitarian response.

“Now, more than ever, we cannot afford to lose the hard-won gains made in recent years, especially as South Sudan works to strengthen its agrifood systems and build on encouraging signs of local agricultural production,” said Rein Paulsen, FAO Director, Office of Emergencies and Resilience. “These gains remain highly vulnerable to conflict, insecurity, and climate shocks—the very forces driving today’s food crisis. We must act urgently and collectively to protect livelihoods, sustain food production, and prevent millions more people from falling deeper into hunger.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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Peacekeeping missions today operate in increasingly complex and volatile environments often characterized by fragile political processes, asymmetric warfare by non-state armed groups, transnational criminal networks, rapid technological changes, and the growing impacts of climate-related vulnerability. These evolving dynamics have heightened the risks faced by both civilians and peacekeepers, reinforcing the central importance of protection of civilians (POC) and the safety and security of personnel.

In this context, IPI convened T/PCCs for the first in a series of informal discussions on the future of peace operations on April 30th. This initial meeting explored T/PCCs’ perspectives on emerging threats to civilians and peacekeepers, as well as the measures, processes, and capabilities required to enable peacekeepers to deliver on their mandates. Drawing on the operational experience of T/PCCs, the discussion generated practical insights into how peacekeepers’ capabilities can be better aligned with evolving conditions on the ground and changing political and financial contexts to ensure their safety and security. It also considered the policy responses required from the UN.

Welcoming Remarks
Jenna Russo, IPI Director of Research and Head of the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations and Peacebuilding
Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Marines Jonas van Hooren, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN

Opening Remarks
Lieutenant-General Mohan Subramanian, Director of the Office for Peacekeeping Strategic Partnership, DPO

Moderator
Bitania Tadesse, Policy Specialist for Africa, IPI

The post Roundtable with Troop and Police Contributing Countries on Responding to Evolving Threats to Peacekeepers’ Safety and Security appeared first on International Peace Institute.

La 10ᵉ édition du Forum de Dakar, première organisée à 100 % par le Sénégal sans co-organisation française, s’est tenue les 20 et 21 avril 2026 sur le thème « L’Afrique face aux défis de stabilité, d’intégration et de souveraineté ». Plus de 700 participants, 60 pays, un panel de haut niveau, deux plénières et six ateliers. Le Forum a accouché d’une initiative phare — la Doctrine de Dakar sur la prévention des conflits — et d’un constat nouveau : la paix africaine ne sera ni importée, ni déléguée, ni improvisée. Mais l’épisode marquant restera la passe d’armes entre le ministre malien Abdoulaye Diop et le professeur Maurice Dione (Université Gaston Berger), qui a cristallisé la fracture entre la diplomatie des juntes sahéliennes et la pensée académique africaine, qui reste au fond, attachée aux normes démocratiques.

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L’article 10ᵉ Forum international de Dakar sur la Paix et la Sécurité est apparu en premier sur IRIS.

Alors que Donald Trump s’efforce d’afficher un contrôle total face à l’Iran, la réalité semble lui échapper un peu plus chaque jour. Les scénarios évoqués (guerre rapide, changement de régime, fin du programme nucléaire) se sont progressivement évaporés.

Ce qui devait être une démonstration de leadership s’apparente aujourd’hui à une impasse stratégique. En tentant d’imposer un rapport de force, Donald Trump a surtout mis en lumière une absence de vision stratégique et une posture de suiveur vis-à-vis de Benyamin Netanyahou.  

L’idée d’une toute-puissance américaine en ressort profondément fragilisée. Une fois encore, l’interventionnisme militaire montre ses limites : loin d’apporter des solutions, il produit des blocages durables et des effets contraires aux objectifs initiaux. Pendant ce temps, la République islamique d’Iran gagne du temps.

Parallèlement, la pression exercée sur les marchés énergétiques par le blocage du détroit d’Ormuz, avec un baril en forte hausse, est favorable aux compagnies pétrolières américaines. Néanmoins, la  crise énergétique qu’elle engendre ne risque-t-elle pas de retourner l’opinion publique mondiale contre les États-Unis, étant eux même à l’origine de cette guerre ? Ce contexte pourrait-il s’avérer favorable à la Chine qui est en capacité de produire de l’énergie décarbonée à un coût actuellement moindre ?

Face à cette conjoncture, les lignes commencent à bouger au sein même des États-Unis : les démocrates se réveillent, le doute s’installe chez certains soutiens de Trump. Cette fragilisation interne peut-elle remettre en cause la poursuite du conflit ? Jusqu’à quand cette stratégie peut-elle tenir politiquement ?  

Mon analyse dans cette vidéo.

L’article Trump/Iran : Nier la réalité ne la change pas est apparu en premier sur IRIS.

Der Rat der Europäischen Zentralbank (EZB) hat heute beschlossen, die Leitzinssätze unverändert zu belassen. Dazu eine Einschätzung von Marcel Fratzscher, Präsident des Deutschen Instituts für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW Berlin):

Die EZB befindet sich in einem klassischen geldpolitischen Dilemma: Die Inflation steigt deutlich, vor allem bei Energie, während sich die Konjunktur eintrübt. Die Unsicherheit ist wegen des Iran-Kriegs enorm hoch, die Risiken einer weiter steigenden Inflation sind erheblich. Daher ist es klug, dass die EZB nun zunächst vorsichtig agiert und abwartet, ob es Grund zur Entwarnung gibt oder die geopolitischen Konflikte erneut eskalieren.

Die größte Gefahr für die EZB ist eine Abkopplung der Inflationserwartungen von der tatsächlichen Inflation. Einige Indikatoren, insbesondere bei den Konsumentinnen und Konsumenten, deuten auf einen zu starken Anstieg der Inflationserwartungen hin. Daher war es notwendig, dass EZB-Präsidentin Lagarde mit ihrer Kommunikation den Weg für eine erste Zinserhöhung im Juni geebnet hat.

Die EZB ist jedoch gut beraten, Vorsicht walten zu lassen und den Bogen bei den Zinserhöhungen nicht zu überspannen. Die Wirtschaft im Euroraum hat sich bereits erheblich abgeschwächt. Die Finanzierungsbedingungen haben sich verschlechtert, sodass diese Entwicklungen bereits einen Teil des Drucks von der Preisentwicklung nehmen. Zudem gibt es zunehmende Sorgen um die Staatsfinanzen mancher Mitgliedsländer und deren Implikationen für Risikoaufschläge und Finanzstabilität.

Russische Angriffe und Drohgebärden finden zunehmend auch im Weltraum statt. Daraus ergeben sich Risiken für Infrastrukturen in Europa, die mehr und mehr von Satellitensystemen abhängig sind. Dies betrifft zivile Dienstleistungen wie etwa Navi­gation, aber auch die europäische Verteidigungsfähigkeit. Zunehmend stellt sich daher die Frage, wie solchen Manövern Russlands zu begegnen ist und ob zur Ab­schreckung Waffensysteme im All platziert werden sollten. Während Europas Streit­kräfte von Weltraumsystemen abhängig sind, trifft das auf die russischen aber in sehr viel geringerem Maße zu. Aufgrund dieser Asymmetrie sollten Deutschland und seine Partner vor allem auf Resilienz ihrer Satellitensysteme setzen.

Pour mieux protéger les victimes, le PE demande l'application stricte de la règlementation européenne, une définition harmonisée du cyberharcèlement et la responsabilité des plateformes.

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Les députés demandent à la Commission d’assurer une mise en œuvre rapide et efficace de la loi sur les marchés numériques, de renforcer la surveillance de l’IA et des services en cloud.
Commission du marché intérieur et de la protection des consommateurs

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Dans une résolution adoptée jeudi, le Parlement condamne avec la plus grande fermeté les frappes brutales et délibérées répétées de la Russie sur des cibles civiles en Ukraine.
Commission des affaires étrangères

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Jeudi, le Parlement a adopté trois résolutions sur la situation des droits humains en Haïti, en Chine et au Venezuela.

Source : © Union européenne, 2026 - PE

Entre 2021 et 2025, les négociations climatiques internationales ont connu une intensification sans précédent, dans un contexte marqué par l’urgence environnementale et la recomposition des rapports de puissance. De la COP26 de Glasgow à la COP30 de Belém, ces rencontres ont oscillé entre progrès diplomatiques, blocages structurels et instrumentalisation géopolitique. Si elles apparaissent parfois insuffisantes […]

Die Koordination hat Peter Lintl übernommen.