Will there be accountability for war crimes in the US‑Iran war?
27/8/2026: The Trump administration has consistently claimed that international law doesn’t apply to the US, an opinion that may be tested in due course. Starting the war with Iran, and detail of its conduct, are both potential war crimes under international law.
Source: The Conversation
DRC peace roadmap: Will the fighting finally end?
24/8/2026: A new roadmap sets out the conditions toward peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), building on the US-brokered framework signed in Doha last year. But disagreements over M23 rebels, Rwanda's role and security concerns remain, and could still derail the process.
Source: DW
New US sanctions on International Criminal Court
19/8/2026: The US has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting the president and a senior prosecutor, alleging that the International Criminal Court is a threat to US national sovereignty. Although the Court is not part of the UN, the Secretary-General has expressed serious concerned at the latest US action.
Source: UN News
The economy sustaining eastern Congo’s endless war
19/8/2026: The economy that sustains rebel militias is vital to understanding conflict in eastern Congo. Peace processes built around military and political settlements keep failing because control of territory is more important than winning major battles. Civilian populations suffer the consequences.
Source: African Arguments
Only 3 percent of Gaza’s cropland remains accessible and undamaged
18/8/2026: According to a new geospatial assessment released by UN agencies, accessible and undamaged cropland in Gaza has fallen by 25% since the October 2025 ceasefire. Before hostilities escalated in October 2023, agriculture supported the livelihoods of more than 560,000 people.
Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organization
An attack on healthcare every six hours, and no one held to account
14/8/2026: Across the world, healthcare venues and personnel have suffered more than 10,000 attacks in the past eight years, resulting in approximately 5,700 deaths and over 8,000 injuries. Most incidents occurred in Ukraine, Lebanon and the occupied Palestinian territory, but other locations include Myanmar, Iran, Sudan, the DRC, South Sudan, Russia, Syria and Nigeria
Source: UN News
Rights groups sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions
11/8/2026: Four human rights groups have filed a lawsuit in US federal court challenging Marco Rubio's escalated campaign to “dismantle” the International Criminal Court. The sanctions undermine access to justice for victims of serious international crimes.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Türkiye seeks to transfer US cluster munitions to Ukraine
11/8/2026: Türkiye has requested permission from the US to “retransfer” to Ukraine tens of thousands of munitions that have been in Türkiye’s stockpiles for decades. Cluster munitions cannot be targeted with precision and endanger civilians. 112 countries have joined the international Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Source: Human Rights Watch
War in Sudan has left millions of children out of school
7/8/2026: The UN Deputy Secretary-General has reported that at least eight million school-aged children in Sudan remain outside the classroom. She called for Security Council members to do their utmost to bring the conflict to an end. Since 2024, the UN has verified more than 67 attacks on schools.
Source: UN News
Phase 2 of Gaza peace plan faces many obstacles
6/8/2026: Israel and Hamas are being compelled to move to “phase 2” despite lack of agreement on a sequence for implementation. Hamas says no disarmament without Israeli withdrawal; Israel insists no withdrawal until disarmament. Meanwhile, the daily life conditions for Palestinians in the enclave have largely not improved.
Source: The Conversation