40,000 dead in Gaza is a tragedy, but war is an ugly thing. The U.S. should know and NEVER forget, so that the toll paid in blood and treasure carries weight for EVERYONE. On this day of rememberance, let us remember 20 years of conflict post 9/11/01: “Some of the Costs of War Project’s main findings include: At least 940,000 people have died due to direct war violence, including armed forces on all sides of the conflicts, contractors, civilians, journalists, and humanitarian workers. Over 432,000 civilians have been killed in direct violence by all parties to these conflicts. An estimated 3.6-3.8 million people have died indirectly in post-9/11 war zones, bringing the total death toll to at least 4.5-4.7 million and counting. Over 7,050 U.S. soldiers have died in the wars. We do not know the full extent of how many U.S. service members returning from these wars became injured or ill while deployed. Many deaths and injuries among U.S. contractors have not been reported as required by law, but it is likely that approximately 8,189 have been killed. 38 million people have been displaced by the post-9/11 wars in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and the Philippines. The U.S. government is conducting counterterror activities in 78 countries, vastly expanding this war across the globe. The human and economic costs of these wars will continue for decades with some costs, such as the financial costs of U.S. veterans’ care, not peaking until mid-century. Most U.S. government funding of reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan has gone towards arming security forces in both countries. Much of the money allocated to humanitarian relief and rebuilding civil society has been lost to fraud, waste, and abuse. The cost of the post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and elsewhere totals about $8 trillion. This does not include future interest costs on borrowing for the wars. U.S. policymakers scarcely considered alternatives to war in the aftermath of 9/11 or in debating the invasion of Iraq. Some of those alternative paradigms for addressing the problem of terror attacks are still available to the U.S. Post-9/11, the increasing rates of suicide for both veterans and active duty personnel are outpacing those of the general population — an alarming shift, as suicide rates among service members have historically been lower than suicide rates among the general population. At least four times as many active duty personnel and war veterans of post-9/11 conflicts have died of suicide than in combat.” #afghanistanwarcommission #iraq #gaza #ukraine #nato #costofwar #va #remember
David Gidlow’s Post
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#Are_you_hoping to #eliminate_Hamas_and_Hezbollah? An article by #Abbas_SG for TruthStream12 You possess advanced military capabilities, facilities, and the support of powerful allies like the United States. Meanwhile, the Palestinian people are struggling with limited resources and outdated weapons. It's crucial to recognize that the loss of innocent civilians—whether children, the elderly, or women—is a tragedy on all sides. Acts of violence that target hospitals and civilian areas only deepen the suffering and push peace further away. This ongoing conflict points to a deeper truth: violence cannot be the solution. The international community increasingly acknowledges that justice and peace in the region cannot be achieved without granting Palestinians their long-denied freedom and rights. The Palestinian people deserve the opportunity to live in their own land with dignity and self-determination. It’s time to work toward a future where Palestine is free, and both Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in peace. This can only happen through dialogue, understanding, and respect for each other's rights. The sooner we pursue peace, the sooner we can end this cycle of violence. #Supporting the #freedom of Palestine is not just a political choice—it's a moral imperative for justice and lasting peace.
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Evaluators collect and analyze data. And when data speaks up, evaluators should speak up, too. This is what I have tried to do in this article for Agency for Peacebuilding, based on a review of several peacebuilding projects in Iraq.
Evaluations in #peacebuilding aren't just about measuring success. They’re about learning what works and what doesn't, and using those lessons to create more impactful, lasting solutions. Over the past 2 years, we at Agency for Peacebuilding closely evaluated peacebuilding efforts in Northern #Iraq, an area that had been most affected by the rise, spread and fall of #ISIS. ✅ What has worked? Initiatives that engaged civilian actors, including community-based and women-led organizations and involvement of diverse #stakeholders, such as tribal and religious leaders, have seen notable success. However, these efforts haven’t been enough to overcome the deep-seated resentment and fear that still divides communities. Many victims of ISIS violence still feel justice has been denied, while those who stayed behind feel marginalized. The trauma and distrust persist. 🔎 So, what does the data tell us about the future of #peacebuilding in Iraq? Without addressing the deep roots of inter-communal resentment and the trauma that fuels it, peacebuilding will remain fragile and incomplete. The path forward lies in transitional #justice: a more comprehensive response that can help Iraq move beyond the legacy of violence. ➡️ Transitional justice, which can involve truth-telling, victim support, and #accountability for past crimes, is crucial for addressing the legacies of violence and creating a sustainable peace. Only by addressing the past can the country move forward, healing wounds, restoring trust, and creating a more inclusive future. --- Read the full article by Bernardo Monzani: https://lnkd.in/dJEnxTca
What data says about the future of peacebuilding in Iraq
peaceagency.org
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I'm proud to announce that three legislative amendments we advocated for in H.R. 8771, the FY 2025 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, have been adopted! These amendments will: - Allocate $15 million in funding to the White Helmets, the heroic civil defense organization in Syria that rescues victims from under the rubble following natural disasters and government attacks. - Ensure that U.S. stabilization funds are available to areas in Northwestern Syria, a region that has long been deprived of such essential support. This area, home to millions of internally displaced civilians, was at the epicenter of last year’s earthquake that affected northern Syria and southern Turkey. - Prohibit the allocation of funds in H.R. 8771 to recognized war criminals in Syria directly or indirectly. #Legislation #Congress #Advocacy #HumanRights
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Over on the Peace & War Center newsletter, the latest issue of their Voices on Peace & War forum:
The Al Hol, Roj Camps and Syrian Detention Complex: Cruel and Dangerous Foreign Policy
nupeaceandwarcenter.substack.com
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The escalating violence in Lebanon, driven by Israeli airstrikes, has led to the tragic loss of hundreds of civilian lives, including women and children, and forced mass displacement. Women and girls, in particular, are facing heightened risks of violence and exploitation amidst the ongoing conflict. This devastation cannot be justified. The destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals is a direct attack on human rights, leaving innocent civilians to bear the brunt of political and military aggression. It’s time for the international community to hold Israel accountable for these violations and demand an immediate halt to the violence. Swipe to learn more about how you can help support Lebanon and its people during this critical time. #politics4her #JusticeForLebanon #EndViolence #WomenInConflict #HumanRights
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What is happening in Palestine and Lebanon has no known precedent. The crimes committed are so egregious, they defy belief, and yet here we are, trying to make sense of it through the lens of international law. Israel, with its population of 9.4 million, largely supports the genocide perpetrated by 650,000 IDF soldiers. These actions are backed by the silent complicity of the “three monkeys” in the U.S. empire, with its 1.28 million active military personnel and a further 740,000 reservists and National Guard. This alliance, rooted in power and impunity, lies at the heart of the problem. The victims of these atrocities have no voice, and the sane world lacks a clear, unimpeded mechanism to prevent the insane from dragging their victims into an asylum of destruction—a spectacle for the truly criminally insane. What can we do? No existing process, no appeals to the governments of the guilty parties, will lead to a solution. In the minds of the insane, the reasoning of the sane is irrelevant. This leaves us with one stark alternative: unilateral action to curb or eliminate the madness, which itself risks sounding like madness. Are we the fourth monkey? The “insane monkey” who sees, hears, and speaks of all anti-human behavior yet drowns in the weight of knowing it, bearing guilt as though co-conspirators in the crime? Our only salvation lies in action—saving the victims at any cost. Otherwise, our progeny will carry the indelible stain of our failure to act as humans in an anti-human world.
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***𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.*** 𝘼𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝, 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙛𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙. ***𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙪𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.*** We must put an end to this infanticide. Our collective silence in the face of such atrocities is complicit in their continuation. It's time to raise our voices, spread awareness, and take concrete steps to protect the most vulnerable members of our global community. Remember, your voice matters. By staying informed, sharing verified information, and supporting reputable humanitarian organizations, we can make a difference. Let's break the silence and work together to safeguard the lives and futures of children caught in conflict zones. #WeMustFirst... to allow to #BreakTheSilence for a #CeaseFireNow to #StopTheGenocide through #CivilDisobedience : #OpenBordersNow .
"I live everyday gripped by the fear that today might be the day I lose a family member, a colleague, a child I’ve been supporting, or even my entire family in a single airstrike." Every day thousands of aid workers like Dr. Jamal put their life on the line to protect children. We must protect them ❤️ We will continue to demand for an immediate and definitive ceasefire in #Gaza. It is the only way to protect the lives of humanitarian workers and civilians. Read Dr. Jamal's account➡️ https://bit.ly/3WTwAGo #ActForHumanity
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"The U.S. should withhold all offensive military aid to Israel and demand an end to this war." - US Senator Bernie Sanders Israeli genocide against Palestinians have resulted in approximately 7% of Gaza's population have been killed or injured (over 37,000 dead, at least 15,000 missing and over 85,000 individuals wounded including many thousands amputated of one or more limbs). 70 percent of the victims were women and children. 85% of Gaza's residents were displaced, with over 75% of homes and infrastructure destroyed. Israel is using starvation as Weapon of War in Gaza based on multiple Human Rights organisations including Human Rights Watch: https://lnkd.in/dwUdD3BD. It is also systematically targeting journalists, healthcare workers, healthcare centers, humanitarian convoys, distribution centers and civilians seeking aids. #palestine #palestinianlivesmatter #genocide #gaza #gazagenocide #israel
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It been documented why Israel strategically targets limbs, part of the bigger picture to cripple them, so no next resistance and to cripple them.Israel has been accused of using tactics in its military operations that result in targeted limb injuries and amputations, which some claim is a strategy of warfare. This approach can have profound long-term effects, incapacitating individuals, creating lifelong disabilities, and burdening the healthcare system. The aim might be to weaken the opposing side's physical capabilities and morale, creating lasting impacts on their population and society. This tactic raises significant ethical and humanitarian concerns, highlighting the devastating consequences of conflict on civilians.
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Well done. Terrorism must never win…
📰🚨👏🥂Historic defeat for UNRWA: Netherlands parliamant voted 88-49 to phase out funding UNRWA by 2029, citing its complicity with therror. This is the first EU state to defund UNRWA, setting a major precedent for other countries to follow. 👇Listen to Hillel Neuer’s speech at the parliament. Thank you UN Watch and Hillel Neuer for your hard work to stop terrorism and its allies, to denounce the moral bankruptcy of organizations that are supposed to be « humanitarian » and who don’t play their original mission. In fact, they do the opposite.
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