The NCF Blog
Recent Articles
UNHRC61 Written Statement: The Weaponisation of Aid Distribution in Gaza
The following statement was written by NCF Research Officer Dylan Clarke-Stock and submitted as a report to the United Nations General Assembly under the auspices
Legitimacy in Sudan: A Narrative Battleground
The devastations of war are not simply limited to the innumerable material effects on families, friends and ecosystems of life. War is also waged through
A Fifth Year of War: Breaking the Russia Ukraine Deadlock
The four-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine passed this week on Tuesday, 24th February 2026. As Russia and Ukraine enter the fifth year
Dr. Said’s Latest Letter From Gaza
Another letter to the Next Century Foundation from Dr Said in Gaza: For the past two days, I have been suffering from a severe headache,
Between Diplomacy and Escalation: USA-Iran Nuclear Negotiations
The second round of indirect talks between the United States (U.S.) and Iran occurred on Tuesday, February 17th, in an effort to reach a nuclear deal that
Rafah Crossing: Written Statement to the UN Human Rights Council
The Next Century Foundation welcomes the limited re-opening of the Rafah crossing on 1st February 2026. It is particularly noteworthy that, according to reports, the
Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan: When Exclusion Becomes Governance
Since August 2021, the status of women in Afghanistan has frequently been discussed in terms of “restrictions” and “rights rollbacks.” This happened shortly after the
One state, two states, no state: Exploring Southern Independence in Yemen
The state of divisions within Yemen, between competing political groups and entrenched historical regional identities, begs the question; is a one-state solution the end-goal? Is
Reform UK: A Foreign Policy of Withdrawal
Reform UK’s growing political support invites an examination of the party’s priorities and its emerging approach to foreign policy. The Next Century Foundation´s Research Officer,
Venezuela: A Prospective Disaster for the Population
Gaza, Ukraine, Greenland, Venezuela: President Trump is swiftly establishing a new power based international order in which no quarter is given. NCF Research Officer, Domingo
UNHRC61 Written Statement: The Weaponisation of Aid Distribution in Gaza
The following statement was written by NCF Research Officer Dylan Clarke-Stock and submitted as a report to the United Nations General Assembly under the auspices of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Legitimacy in Sudan: A Narrative Battleground
The devastations of war are not simply limited to the innumerable material effects on families, friends and ecosystems of life. War is also waged through narratives, shaped by competing interests, moulded by competing powers. Sudan
A Fifth Year of War: Breaking the Russia Ukraine Deadlock
The four-year mark of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine passed this week on Tuesday, 24th February 2026. As Russia and Ukraine enter the fifth year of the war, both states remain locked in combat, heavily
Dr. Said’s Latest Letter From Gaza
Another letter to the Next Century Foundation from Dr Said in Gaza: For the past two days, I have been suffering from a severe headache, sinus congestion, a fever that at times approaches forty degrees
Between Diplomacy and Escalation: USA-Iran Nuclear Negotiations
The second round of indirect talks between the United States (U.S.) and Iran occurred on Tuesday, February 17th, in an effort to reach a nuclear deal that would appease fears in the Middle East. Iran is seemingly open
Rafah Crossing: Written Statement to the UN Human Rights Council
The Next Century Foundation welcomes the limited re-opening of the Rafah crossing on 1st February 2026. It is particularly noteworthy that, according to reports, the same number of people were permitted to return to Gaza
Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan: When Exclusion Becomes Governance
Since August 2021, the status of women in Afghanistan has frequently been discussed in terms of “restrictions” and “rights rollbacks.” This happened shortly after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the government under the Taliban, was
One state, two states, no state: Exploring Southern Independence in Yemen
The state of divisions within Yemen, between competing political groups and entrenched historical regional identities, begs the question; is a one-state solution the end-goal? Is it even possible? Should it perhaps be two states, one
Reform UK: A Foreign Policy of Withdrawal
Reform UK’s growing political support invites an examination of the party’s priorities and its emerging approach to foreign policy. The Next Century Foundation´s Research Officer, Olwyn Matthews, takes up the challenge: Since its origins as
Venezuela: A Prospective Disaster for the Population
Gaza, Ukraine, Greenland, Venezuela: President Trump is swiftly establishing a new power based international order in which no quarter is given. NCF Research Officer, Domingo Lapadula di Stefano, himself of Venezuelan extraction, gives his opinion:
A Humanitarian Catch 22: Reopening of the Rafah Crossing
The NCF Secretary General asks: When charities like the Quakers sponsor the acceptance of Gazans in to study in universities in Paris and London, and when governments like that in the UK bring children to
2025 is done at last: What Hope for 2026?
Reverend Larry Wright, Religious Affairs Advisor to the Next Century Foundation, shares this reflection for 2026: The text from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 is well known as the, “For everything there is a time. A time
A Philosophy for 2026?
William Morris LL.D., Secretary General of the Next Century Foundation, reflects on modern philosophy from Kant to Kierkergard and concludes that the purpose of life is best summed up in the words of the latest
Winning Abroad, Unsettled at Home: The Asymmetry of Al-Sharaa’s Legitimacy
On December 17th 2025, the US Congress decided to fully repeal the Caesar Civilian Protection Act, which frees Syria from a set of sweeping sanctions imposed during the tenure of Bashar Al-Assad. This follows from
Merry Christmas? Yup Merry Christmas ! ! !
Well 2025 has without a doubt been the worst year on record since the turn of the millenia brought us the 21st Century. And yes despite that all the indications bode hope for 2026. It
NCF
Reports & Statements
to the United Nations
The Myth of International Law
Middle East
UNHRC61 Written Statement: The Weaponisation of Aid Distribution in Gaza
The following statement was written by NCF Research Officer Dylan Clarke-Stock and submitted as a report to the United Nations General Assembly under the auspices
The Myth of International Law
The following is Domingo’s valedictory blog and does not necessarily represent the view of the Next Century Foundation: As the United States ups the ante
The Board of Peace: Challenged by Phase Two Gaza Reconstruction?
On 14 January 2026, the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, announced that President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza
Yemen
One state, two states, no state: Exploring Southern Independence in Yemen
The state of divisions within Yemen, between competing political groups and entrenched historical regional identities, begs the question; is a one-state solution the end-goal? Is
Healing the Nations Conference 2025
Conference Programme We are excited to invite you to register to attend all or part of the Next Century Foundation’s eight-day Healing the Nations conference
Ranking Human Rights across the Middle East
NCF Research Officer Felix Mohaupt explores the human rights landscape of the Middle East, ranking each nation on a number of categories: LGBTQ Rights, Women’s
Palestine-Israel
UNHRC61 Written Statement: The Weaponisation of Aid Distribution in Gaza
The following statement was written by NCF Research Officer Dylan Clarke-Stock and submitted as a report to the United Nations General Assembly under the auspices
The Board of Peace: Challenged by Phase Two Gaza Reconstruction?
On 14 January 2026, the United States Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, announced that President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza
Dr. Said’s Latest Letter From Gaza
Another letter to the Next Century Foundation from Dr Said in Gaza: For the past two days, I have been suffering from a severe headache,
The Changing Geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East
Ambassador Mark Hambley and William Morris of the NCF speak at the Policy Studies Organization conference in Washington on the changing political geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East in 2018