Stories about War & Conflict from September, 2023
Young people attempt to build the city of the future in Russian province, while residents seek the past
Artists have come back to Chaykovsky, a small town in Russia, and have established a public cultural center there. They now face resistance from officials and a lack of understanding among local residents.
The vanishing asterisk: The evolution of the EU’s approach towards Kosovo
There exists a noticeable lack of uniformity in how EU institutions, bodies, committees, and agencies refer to Kosovo in official capacities. However, the gradual fading away of the asterisk and footnote has become subtly apparent.
Central Asian people's path to the American dream is full of dangers
Among the dangers of traveling this route are being robbed or taken hostage by cartels in transit countries, being attacked by wild animals, and drowning in the Caribbean Sea.
The Kremlin’s tactics to enlist more men to war
Russian authorities are struggling to sell the war to potential soldiers, but an electronic drafting system might change the game
A story from a Russian POW camp in Ukraine
A year ago, this camp was a regular penal colony for Ukrainian prisoners, but its purpose was quickly changed to make it a temporary accommodation for thousands of Russian citizens.
Shifting tides: Do Kazakhs still like Russia?
Public opinion is split: for some, Russia is an unavoidable, yet dangerous partner, but a lesser evil compared to others.
Ukrainians in one of the most war-torn towns face grave realities but avoid despairing
In many respects, no matter when and how Russia's invasion of Ukraine ends, there will be no immediate happy ending for villages, towns, and cities like Izyum.
Russian art critic: “Street art cannot be killed or destroyed”
Since the war began, the street art capital of Russia status of Yekaterinburg has come into question: some artists have left Russia, while others have been imprisoned for their anti-war works
One traitor a day: The state of treason cases in Russia
"Holod" magazine has exposed a record number of criminal cases of treason and espionage, which are now being initiated more frequently than during the post-Stalin era in the USSR
The West’s Belarus policy: Does it make sense?
By damaging Belarus’s ability to act on its own and not achieving any positive results, the blockade of Belarus by its Western neighbors has been manifestly counterproductive, leading to excessive dependency on Russia
The story of a transgender person in an occupied city in Ukraine
Knowing the homophobic Russian state policy, members of the LGBTQ+ community tried to avoid the Russian occupiers, fearing they might face increased persecution because of their gender or sexuality.
From Gaza: Does creativity only come from misery?
Gaza-based author Dana Bsaiso draws inspiration from the harsh Israeli blockade, reflecting on the interplay of creativity and adversity. Photographer Mohammad Zaanoun, meanwhile, captures the bloom of creativity within Gaza's confines.