The NCF Blog
Recent Articles
Sudan at the Crossroads of Saudi-Emirati Competition
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While
The Cost of Cutting Refugee Protection
Seventy-five years ago, the world promised that people fleeing persecution would be protected and never sent back to danger. This December, governments will gather in
The Politics of Recognition: Who Pays the Price?
Next Century Foundation Research Officer Mahmoud Shaban examines the politics of recognition. The Next Century Foundation view is that to withhold recognition of de facto
Information Index: Ground rules for discussion at the Next Century Foundation
Unless otherwise stated all meetings are OFF THE RECORD. The Next Century Foundation rule for off-the-record discussion is that anyone may take notes of the
Gaza Information Index 17 October 2026
Gaza Briefing: Friday 9 October to Thursday 15 October 2026 / Page Updated: 17 October 2026 The NCF’s weekly overview of developments in and related
Why is US diplomacy failing?
The United States has put itself at the centre of nearly every recent major diplomatic effort in the Middle East, from the war with Iran,
Why the Green’s Zionism Motion won’t help Palestinians or Peace
The Green Party of England and Wales have passed a motion to classify Zionism as Racism. In doing so, they may have politically ostracised themselves.
Reform Before Membership: Is Ukraine’s only Road to Europe open?
Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union is a diplomatic goal but is also, arguably, a matter of national survival and future stability. Since applying
Afghanistan Beyond Isolation: The Promise and Limits of Regional Engagement
Five years since its foundation, the Government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is virtually at war with its neighbour Pakistan and continues to treat
NCF UNHRC Meeting on Detainees and Missing Persons in Syria
The Next Century Foundation has just held a meeting at the United Nations in Geneva, on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the UN
Israel’s Long Road to a Government
The Next Century Foundation’s chief research officer and co-author of this report offers an observation on the following blog. The observation is her own: This election will not be remembered for whether Benjamin Netanyahu lost
Gaza Information Index 2 November 2026
Statistics for Friday 23 October to Thursday 29 October / Other developments Updated 2 November Israel’s Election Leaves No Majority for Either Side Israel’s election on 27 October produced no governing majority. Netanyahu’s bloc won
NCF Statement to the UN on Freedom of Expression in Cambodia
NCF UN Oral Statement UNHRC63 Session Next Century Foundation’s Research Officer Manisha Shrivastava addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council in person on freedom of expression and political imprisonment in Cambodia, welcoming the pardon and
Under Pressure: The State of French Press Freedom before the 2027 Election
The state of French press is concerning. Press freedom means journalists can work and serve the public without economic, political or legal pressure. This is under threat. The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) puts it
The Sally Rooney Case: Are We Witnessing a Clampdown on Freedom of Expression in the UK?
The Secretary General of the Next Century Foundation wishes to state, in the strongest possible terms, that the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation is both unethical and counterproductive. Whatever view one takes
Democracy Online: Can Internet Voting Help Rebuild Sudan after Conflict?
Can online voting make elections possible in states where conventional polls are too dangerous or impractical to organise? Free and fair elections are often central to rebuilding stability after war. They give a new government
Holy War, Just Peace: Religion and the War in Ukraine
The following article does not reflect the views of The Next Century Foundation, but we are pleased to include it as a contribution to what is an important debate on the significant role of religion
Gaza Information Index 26 October 2026
Statistics for Friday 16 October to Thursday 22 October / Other developments Updated 26 October Intense Escalation and Military Crackdown after Hebron Attack On Friday 23 October, two Palestinian gunmen attacked Israel’s soldiers at a
NCF Statement to the UN on Conflict Minerals in the Central African Republic
NCF UN Oral Statement UNHRC63 Session Next Century Foundation’s Research Officer Manisha Shrivastava addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council in person on conflict minerals and accountability in the Central African Republic, highlighting how armed
India’s Press Freedom is challenged and so are its Courts
India, the world’s largest democracy, is facing the sharpest test of its freedoms in years. Its capital has been sealed off to stop citizens from marching, its internet switched off around the protest zone, its
Sudan at the Crossroads of Saudi-Emirati Competition
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a devastating war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). While rooted in an internal struggle for power, the conflict has
The Cost of Cutting Refugee Protection
Seventy-five years ago, the world promised that people fleeing persecution would be protected and never sent back to danger. This December, governments will gather in Geneva to celebrate that promise, yet many of them are
The Politics of Recognition: Who Pays the Price?
Next Century Foundation Research Officer Mahmoud Shaban examines the politics of recognition. The Next Century Foundation view is that to withhold recognition of de facto governments by the United Nations is almost always counterproductive and
Information Index: Ground rules for discussion at the Next Century Foundation
Unless otherwise stated all meetings are OFF THE RECORD. The Next Century Foundation rule for off-the-record discussion is that anyone may take notes of the meeting for their private use and private dissemination but may
Gaza Information Index 17 October 2026
Gaza Briefing: Friday 9 October to Thursday 15 October 2026 / Page Updated: 17 October 2026 The NCF’s weekly overview of developments in and related to Gaza, including the humanitarian situation, aid, peace efforts and
NCF
Reports & Statements
to the United Nations
Middle East
Israel’s Long Road to a Government
The Next Century Foundation’s chief research officer and co-author of this report offers an observation on the following blog. The observation is her own: This
Gaza Information Index 2 November 2026
Statistics for Friday 23 October to Thursday 29 October / Other developments Updated 2 November Israel’s Election Leaves No Majority for Either Side Israel’s election
Democracy Online: Can Internet Voting Help Rebuild Sudan after Conflict?
Can online voting make elections possible in states where conventional polls are too dangerous or impractical to organise? Free and fair elections are often central
Yemen
Artificial Intelligence: A Law Unto Itself?
Security Concerns Over AI The recent escalation of the conflict in Yemen should raise serious security concerns about AI. A report by Anthropic revealed that
Between Bab El-Mandeb and Suez Canal: Egypt’s Red Sea Dilemma
In September 2026, Ansarullah (described in the West as “Houthi”) forces advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, seizing the port city of Mocha and capturing Mayyun
The Unresolved Politics of South Yemen
In the first week of December 2025, forces aligned with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) launched the most significant military challenge to the rump Yemeni
Palestine-Israel
Israel’s Long Road to a Government
The Next Century Foundation’s chief research officer and co-author of this report offers an observation on the following blog. The observation is her own: This
Gaza Information Index 2 November 2026
Statistics for Friday 23 October to Thursday 29 October / Other developments Updated 2 November Israel’s Election Leaves No Majority for Either Side Israel’s election
Palestine’s Postponed Election: Who Shapes the Vote, and Who Does It Serve?
On 10 October, the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas predictably announced the postponement of the legislative elections, which had been set for 28 November 2026. The
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