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A Responsibility to Protect: The Dilemma of Funding in the DRC

Feb 3, 2012

A Responsibility to Protect: The Dilemma of Funding in the DRC

In 2007, the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo received a lot of media attention. Prominent actors and U.S. officials traveled to the DRC and were shocked by the appalling situations in the hospitals and the testimonies of the rape victims. Their shock and concern was justified; rape and sexual violence were and are a horrific tactic of terror in the Congolese conflict.

This wave of shock was followed by a wave of financial support. Hospitals received equipment and medicine to aid rape victims. The international response to support victims of sexual and gender-based violence was astonishing. Health programs have increased the survival rates for victims, and charities provide many victims with means to supplement their income and gain access to basic services if they have experienced exclusion from their families and communities.

Can War on Iran Be Prevented?

Jan 31, 2012

Can War on Iran Be Prevented?

Reading the recent article in the New York Times Magazine, "Will Israel Attack Iran?", you might begin to think a war with Iran is inevitable and coming very soon. But no war is inevitable until it is underway, and there are real diplomatic solutions to the escalating crisis with Iran.

E-News: Get Ready for Action on Pentagon Spending Cuts

Jan 25, 2012

E-News: Get Ready for Action on Pentagon Spending Cuts

In this week's e-newsletter: A Week of Action during the President's Day Recess, A Grassroots Story, War on Iran, Spring Lobby Weekend, and more.

It's the Economy -- Got It

Jan 25, 2012

It's the Economy -- Got It

The President's State of the Union speech last night focused on getting the economy back on track. That's good. That's where most of us live. We know that nothing in our future is secure if we don't have jobs, homes, education for our children, and an ability to adapt to changing demands. We want solutions.

The President offered a number of fairly specific steps forward -- most of them more "supply side" than I would have expected -- but they might work. His attention to small businesses that create jobs here, and recommendations to end the incentives for multinational corporations to export jobs overseas were positive. Small business owners we've talked to, however, have emphasized that a high percentage of them are in service industries that serve local customers. If they don't have customers, all the tax breaks in the world can't help them to hire more people. So we need to be sure more people have jobs and incomes. Small businesses need more customers.

Supporting a move toward manufacturing to encourage renewable energy development would create some of those jobs and help to support the "demand side" of the equation that small businesses (and others) need. But it takes a while to get a new industry ramped up. What happens in the meantime? I missed hearing a commitment to those still struggling with the financial tsunami that washed over this country (and the world) over the past few years...those who still can't find jobs... those who haven't yet completed the skills training and education that the president rightly promoted. Those who were already poor before the recession. I didn't hear a commitment to unemployment insurance and to basic income assistance for those on the edge and those who are below our country's official definitions of poverty. One in five children in poverty -- in this country. Can we live with that?

Jan 25, 2012

"Prevent War with Iran" Campaign Coming to a State Near You!

FCNL's "Diplomacy--Not War--with Iran" postcards are making their way to meetings, churches, and peace groups across the country, sending a strong message to Senators that talking with Iran is the single most effective way to prevent both war and a nuclear-armed Iran.

Matt Southworth

Jan 25, 2012

State of the Union: Dangerous Foreign Policy

President Obama finished his third State of the Union Address the same way he began it—by touting what the administration considers foreign policy successes. “For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq” President Obama said, concluding his address by stating, “Ending the Iraq war has allowed us to strike decisive blows against our enemies.”

This kind of rhetoric is incredibly unfortunate. The logic contained within these thoughts says that force has worked to end wars when it has, in fact, failed to deliver long term peace and stability. We can clearly see this playing out in Iraq today—not to mention, as I wrote in December, the U.S. war in Iraq may have concluded, but the long term damage is far from done running itscourse.

Cassidy Regan

Jan 24, 2012

A Step Toward Justice in Kenya

Yesterday, the International Criminal Court (a multilateral body dedicated to holding perpetrators of mass atrocities accountable) announced that four of the six Kenyans suspected of inciting post-election violence in 2007-2008 will head to trial. Though the road ahead is long, the decision is a step toward justice – and another demonstration of Kenya’s progress toward peace.

In the aftermath of Kenya’s electoral crisis, many both within the country and outside it called for perpetrators of violence to be held accountable. The Kenyan government initially pursued a domestic tribunal, but efforts failed to pass in Parliament. When little had been achieved almost two years later, the International Criminal Court (ICC) began an investigation of the post-election atrocities; since then, the process has been one fraught with controversy.

Jan 23, 2012

FAQ on Iran

Find an answer to questions about FCNL's work to prevent war, and support diplomacy with Iran here.

Sandy Robson

Jan 19, 2012

Occupy Congress

On Tuesday a nation-wide gathering of the Occupy movement gathered at the Capitol to share their messages with members of Congress. Former program assistant Jessica Halperin and I joined the General Assembly at noon on the Capitol's west lawn, mic-checks and all.

Unlike many demonstrations here in Washington, the gathering didn’t stop at the Mall. Organizers passed out directories, marked congressional office-buildings with color-coded flags, and encouraged everyone to visit to their representatives’ offices. They are weaving together the powerful narrative that yes, what Congress does affects our communities in Baltimore, and yes, it's worth saying something about it.

Jan 19, 2012

All the New Senate Bill is Saying is "Give War--Not Diplomacy--A Chance"

Senators Lindsey Graham (SC) and Joseph Lieberman (CT) are expected to soon release legislation that would rule out "containment" with Iran, in a thinly veiled attempt to put Congress on the record in support of a military attack on Iran, if diplomatic and economic pressure don't resolve Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Jan 19, 2012

Looking To The Future

Yesterday, President Obama rejected TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline construction project. While the president’s decision does represent a victory for the environment and resources upon which American health and livelihoods depend, it is unlikely to be the last we will hear of the issue.

E-News: How Much Do You Know About the Pentagon Budget?

Jan 18, 2012

E-News: How Much Do You Know About the Pentagon Budget?

In this week's e-newsletter: test your knowledge with our Pentagon budget quiz, what our communities could buy instead of war, Iran in one minute, Spring Lobby Weekend, welcome to a new staff member, Kenya, and more.

Letter Writing Coordinators Moving FCNL Forward

Jan 13, 2012

Letter Writing Coordinators Moving FCNL Forward

This blog post is a special edition guest blog written by Asha Warner, who volunteered at FCNL this winter. One of her projects was to call all of our Letter Writing Coordinators to learn how to improve our letter writing campaign. She reflects on the experience of talking with our coordinators and hearing their stories.

Katherine Philipson

Jan 13, 2012

Katherine Philipson

Campaigns Network Building Associate

Jan 13, 2012

U.S., Israeli Security Officials Warn Against Attacking Iran

Military leaders, intelligence officers, and other U.S. and Israeli security officials from across the political spectrum have warned that an attack on Iran would likely provoke a full-scale regional war with catastrophic consequences for global security.

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