The NCF Blog
Recent Articles
Syrian Idlibisation: Reform or Rebrand?
Syria stands at a crossroads between universal prosperity and a potential return to authoritarianism and entrenched inequality. Post-war Syria sits in an extremely fragile position,
US Moves Towards UNSC Resolution for International Stabilisation Force
On Wednesday, 5 November, the US presented a draft resolution to the UNSC to further establish the US-led peace plan. A mandate from the Security
Weather Reports Say: Dr. Said’s Latest Letter From Gaza
Another letter to the Next Century Foundation from Dr Said in Gaza: Weather reports say that this winter will be the coldest and rainiest in
Congratulate Trump, Defeat Trump and Trumpism – The Dissonance
The following article is by Hillel Shenker, a senior member of the Next Century Foundation and co-editor of the Palestine – Israel Journal. It was
Dr. Said’s Letter From Gaza
Another letter to the Next Century Foundation from Dr Said in Gaza: So, my phone suddenly went silent. It decided to stop working — without
The Question of Governance and International Stabilisation in Gaza
Following two years of devastation and conflict in the Gaza Strip, a US-led ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 10th. Since this date, there
2025 Iraq Parliamentary Election: Between Representation and Control
Iraq’s next parliamentary election is scheduled for 11 November 2025, marking the country’s sixth national vote since 2005. The electoral system, overseen by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), is designed
Gaza deal – The Inside Story
Next Century Foundation Secretary General William Morris LL.D. has given a timely podcast on the recent ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting whether the ceasefire will
UNHRC60: The Use of Drone Warfare in the Russo-Ukraine War
Research Officer Mr. Tanatswa Kubara, representing the Next Century Foundation, delivered an oral statement during the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
A Global Crisis of Polarisation and Democratic Decay
It has become a reoccurring global ritual: a violent attack against a political figure. Followed by calls for change, condemnations from public figures, social media
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