It is an unfortunate reality that many of the world’s most deadly conflicts and pressing crises receive sparse news coverage. Instead, we see the same conflicts repeatedly making headlines, and often these conflicts aren’t nearly as catastrophic as those that are flying under the radar of mainstream news. In most cases, the driving force behind this phenomenon is power. Global news coverage is dominated by the West, and typically the conflicts that dominate our news feeds are of most geopolitical and strategic significance to the Western world. This skews the way in which we perceive conflicts and the world around us. It also affects the allocation of humanitarian assistance and policy. When less attention is drawn to a crisis, less aid will be sent, and those directly responsible for the conflicts or human rights abuses won’t be held accountable by outside forces. In this series, we document some of the world’s most pressing underreported issues with the goal of drawing more attention to them, which will hopefully catalyze more effective assistance and policy.
The Movement for the Abolition of Rape Culture in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has approved the death penalty for convicted rapists, but activists argue that this is not enough to curb the rise in sexual violence.
Mercenaries, Drones, and Abuses in America’s “Shadow War” in Africa
The U.S.-led “shadow war” in Africa has been ramped up in recent years, leading to widespread abuses and questions about the relevance of contemporary counterterrorism efforts.
Sovereignty Over Security: Mozambique’s Stance on Foreign Aid
Despite the increase in violence in Mozambique’s northern region, President Filipe Nyusi has been hesitant in accepting foreign aid to fight the Islamist insurgency over concerns that such aid will come with a catch.
Social Media, Farmers’ Protests in India, and the Diaspora
As the farmers protests in India continue, social media has become the latest target for government suppression. This is because it is used to inform the world about what is going on and connect and mobilise supporters in the diaspora.
The COVID-19 Battle in Peru: A Healthcare Crisis in Motion
Since announcing the first case of COVID-19 in March, Peru has been fighting a healthcare crisis that had existed long before the start of the pandemic.
Patterns of Unsustainable Refugee Initiatives in the Rohingya Crisis
As the Rohingya genocide continues, current attempts to resettle refugees in Bangladesh and abroad have been insufficient and dangerous.
