The NCF Blog
Recent Articles
Ahmed al-Sharaa: From Jihadist to Syria’s Interim Leader
This article by Sarah Döbbener explores the background of Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the newly appointed interim President of Syria. As
Turkey and the PKK, a final peace?
The following article discusses the ongoing issue of the Kurdish minority within Turkey and the Kurdistan Worker’s party’s insurgency within the country, focusing on the
Gaza: more blood, sweat and tears?
William Morris LL.D., Secretary General of the Next Century Foundation, shares three perspectives. The first from a senior peacenik from Israel (nothing astonishing). The second
Which World Order is Best?
The following article represents the personal view of the author Ms Aaliya Boakye, Research Officer at the Next Century Foundation. The conclusion differs from that
Why the Slaughter of the Alawites in the past few days?
William Morris LL.D., the NCF Secretary General, reflects on the recent sectarian slaughter in the Alawite region of Syria. This uncut video podcast on the
Is Syria Moving in the Right Direction?
Syria’s transitional government continues its push for stability amid diplomatic efforts, economic manoeuvres, and security challenges. With shifting regional alliances and ongoing negotiations, do the
What does the future hold for Syrian Kurds?
Making up more than 10% of the population, and controlling almost 20% of Syria’s territory, the Kurds play a crucial role in shaping Syria’s future.
The Gaza Ceasefire Deal and its Future: What to expect?
The Gaza Ceasefire Deal between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect in January 2025, raised hope of an end to the conflict. However, just
Israel’s Occupation of Syria
Israel has just invaded and occupied the entirety of the 1,200-square-kilometre (460 square-mile) Golan Heights, a fertile and strategic plateau half of which it had
Damascus Gossip grows unbelievable
William Morris LL.D., the NCF Secretary General, reflects on the latest gossip coming out of Syria as the new government takes hold. This uncut video
Ghana’s Smuggling Crisis
NCF discusses the smuggling crisis that has overrun Ghana and speaks to the government corruption that facilitates this. What is happening? Smuggling has been around in Ghana for a long time. But when Ghana faced
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 this summer from Sunday, June 15th to Sunday, June 22nd
An Easter Message
A message for Easter, and indeed for Passover which ends on Easter Day. This message is about a kind of code of honour, twelve commandments: Respond with care and power to the one that wounds
Tensions Rise Between Türkiye and Israel
The Next Century Foundation discusses the rising tensions between Türkiye and Israel, focusing on Israel’s expanded military operations in Syria and the strike on the Turkish T-4 airbase in Homs. This article also covers the
Gaza Starvation – becomes Acute
The current food and supply situation within Gaza as a result of Israel’s blockade is catastrophic. The situation in Gaza regarding food and water is rapidly becoming untenable, with all 25 UN-run bakeries still closed.
The Makeup of The New Syrian Government
This article discusses the new Syrian government formed on the 29th of March 2025, the second transitional government under the presidency of Ahmed al-Sharaa. The new government of Syria, formed by Ahmed al-Sharaa on the
Syria descends into chaos and the vultures pick at the carcase
Whilst killings continue on the coast, Türkiye and Israel squabble about the control of the T4 base. And Dera goes its own way as a separate fiefdom.
Famine hits Gaza
NCF Research Officer, Aaliya Boakye, discusses the latest updates on Gaza, outlining the fallout from the collapse of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza, the influence of the US in the possible ethnic cleansing
Has Donald Trump lost the plot on Ukraine?
It’s April, the Winter is over and fighting season is beginning. Donald Trump promised a solution within one day. But has he gone soft on Russia? Is he no longer capable of sorting Ukraine? By
Massacres in Syria (Christians and Alawites) part one
The following record is prepared by associates of the Next Century Foundation in Syria and covers Massacres in Syria (Christians and Alawites) from March 7th and continuing until the time of writing this report (March
Ukraine, The European and American Positions on Peace
Examining the ongoing peace negotiations involving the Russian Federation and Ukraine regarding the continuing conflict, and both the American and European led peace efforts: Europe breaks from America Sir Keir Starmer along with other European
Elon Musk: Free Speech Absolutist in a Kingdom of Chaos
The NCF explores the impact of Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition on the platform’s commitment to free speech. The following article represents the personal views of the author Mr Taha Emre Altundağ, Research Officer at the
Manifesto of Islam for Global Peace and Security
This article was submitted to the Next Century Foundation by Ayatollah Seyed Salman Safavi, Head of the Safavid Movement of Sufi Islam. Ayatollah Safavi is a longstanding senior member of the Next Century Foundation. This
Addressing climate change: UN Statement on India
NCF Research Officer Gowthami Bhat delivers an oral intervention to the United Nations Human Rights Council 58th session. She urges India to embark on greater environmental education in order to promote the practice of
Syria becomes a Dictatorship again
William Morris LL.D., Secretary General of the Next Century Foundation, talks to three voices from inside Syria: Alawite HTS Secular And they all agree that President al-Sharaa a.k.a. Jolani is creating a monocracy, i.e. a
NCF
Reports & Statements
to the United Nations
Gaza Starvation – becomes Acute
Middle East
Pope Francis 1936-2025
With the passing of Pope Francis, tributes have largely focused on his global spiritual leadership and influence within the Catholic Church. Less often highlighted, but
Gaza Starvation – becomes Acute
The current food and supply situation within Gaza as a result of Israel’s blockade is catastrophic. The situation in Gaza regarding food and water is
The Makeup of The New Syrian Government
This article discusses the new Syrian government formed on the 29th of March 2025, the second transitional government under the presidency of Ahmed al-Sharaa. The
Yemen
Yemen Crisis: A Reflection of Regional Power Dynamics
After nearly a decade of war in Yemen, the situation remains unstable, and Yemen remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. With the unofficial
Yemen Crisis 2023: An Ongoing Humanitarian Tragedy
The exchange of hundreds of prisoners between the warring parties in Yemen has raised expectations for a long-term truce between the Ansar Allah (Houthi) rebel
Healing the Nations 2023
Conference Programme We are excited to invite you to register to attend all or part of the Next Century Foundation’s ten-day Healing the Nations conference
Palestine-Israel
Tensions Rise Between Türkiye and Israel
The Next Century Foundation discusses the rising tensions between Türkiye and Israel, focusing on Israel’s expanded military operations in Syria and the strike on the
Gaza Starvation – becomes Acute
The current food and supply situation within Gaza as a result of Israel’s blockade is catastrophic. The situation in Gaza regarding food and water is
Famine hits Gaza
NCF Research Officer, Aaliya Boakye, discusses the latest updates on Gaza, outlining the fallout from the collapse of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza,
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