The NCF Blog
Recent Articles

Between History and Conflict: The Religious and Ethnic Groups of Syria
Syria is a land of rich cultural and religious diversity, home to numerous ethnic and religious groups who have shaped its history for centuries. From

Trump-Zelensky war of words – background and context
Our Religious Affairs Advisor and Board Member, Rev Larry Wright, sent us Owen Matthews’ response to President Trump’s criticism of President Zelensky. It is so

Peace Between Russia and Ukraine through an Armistice
The following paper has been submitted to the United Nations as well as to Washington and Moscow and will be submitted to Kiev. The only

Lebanon comes out of the woods?
William Morris LL.D., the NCF Secretary General, reflects on the need for stability in Lebanon as the renewed ceasefire takes hold. This uncut video podcast

Syria: Kidnapping goes Ballistic
William Morris LL.D., the NCF Secretary General, reflects on the need for stability in Syria as nothing but chaos reigns. This uncut video podcast on

Regarding President Trump
We have been asked by one of our senior members to make a response to President Trump’s remarks on Gaza. Our senior trustee doesn’t think

Resolving the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Next Century Foundation has co-signed a resolution submitted to the United Nations on the need for a peace process in regard to the Israel-Palestine

Inside Israel – Can Netanyahu Survive?
William Morris LL.D., the NCF Secretary General, reflects on the need for peace in the Middle East as nothing but chaos reigns. This uncut video

NCF Syria 4.2.25 (accessible to NCF subscribing members only)
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Syria – mass killings and misery take hold
William Morris LL.D., the NCF Secretary General, reflects on the need for peace in Syria as nothing but chaos reigns. This uncut video podcast from

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