The NCF Blog
Recent Articles
Can Iraq’s new government address its water crisis?
In 2025, Iraq experienced its driest year in modern history. By December 2025, national water reserves had fallen from around 60 billion cubic metres in
Now Gaza needs Healing
NCF UN Oral Statement UNHRC62 session Next Century Foundation’s Research Officer Odessa Grove addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council on the collapse of Gaza’s
UN Statement on the Ongoing Conflict in Sudan
Next Century Foundation’s Research Officer Kayla Junior addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council on the ongoing conflict in Sudan, highlighting the scale of the
On Artificial Intelligence
The following contribution is from Maria Sapozhnikova, the Next Century Foundation’s Senior Advisor on Russian Affairs. It is on the threat posed by Artificial Intelligence.
UN Statement on Women and Sectarian Violence in Syria
Next Century Foundation’s Research Officer Zena Elbeyaly addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council on the disappearance and abduction of Alawite women and girls in
Ksenia is running for the NCF
Ksenia is running to raise funds on the NCF Team run day. Ksenia, a new research officer here at NCF, will be participating in Running
Deep Dive: Iraq’s new prime minister faces ‘Iran test’ in Washington
Next Century Foundation speaker Dr Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow at Deakin University and former Strategic Communication Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, examines the foreign-policy
Paloma is Running for the NCF
This August, our amazing team at NCF has organised a charity run to raise money for The Next Century Foundation and support its work to
Healing the Nations Conference 2026
Conference Programme We are excited to invite you to register to attend all or part of the Next Century Foundation’s five-day Healing the Nations conference
Camilla is running for the NCF
Camilla is running to raise funds on the NCF Team run day. Camilla, a research officer here at NCF, will be participating in Running for
When Motherhood Is Not a Choice: Reproductive Rights in Afghanistan
Beyond the Maternity Ward Preventable maternal complications claim the life of a woman every two hours in Afghanistan; the danger begins long before they enter a maternity ward. It begins with whether they were able
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 “actors in Northern Yemen” were able to override Claude safeguarding
Gaza Information Index 3 October 2026
Gaza Briefing: Friday 25 September to Thursday 1 October 2026 / Page Updated: 3 October 2026 The NCF’s weekly overview of developments in and related to Gaza, including the humanitarian situation, aid, peace efforts and
The Inevitable Failure of the Board of Peace
On 17 November 2025, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2803, handing control of Gaza to the Board of Peace. The Board is not affiliated with any one state, and Donald Trump holds full power
Reconfiguring Security, but Reproducing Insecurity in the Central Sahel
The insecurity affecting the Central Sahel did not begin with jihadist organizations or foreign military intervention. It developed from long-standing problems of weak governance, political marginalization, and uneven state presence. In many peripheral areas, limited
Reconstruction for Gaza?
Abdelmohsen Farahat, an architect from Cairo closely associated with the Next Century Foundation, has drafted a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. Abdelmohsen is a member of Initiatives of Change Egypt, known in Egypt by
The Cost of an iPhone: Congo, Cobalt and Consumer Responsibility
On 9 September 2026, Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. While millions of consumers are lining up to buy the new devices, many others are protesting and boycotting their release
Immigration and the UK’s Core Five Parties: A Beginner’s Guide
Immigration commands more attention than any other issue in British politics, yet the figures are more complicated than either side of the debate admits. With Andy Burnham now in Number Ten and Reform UK just
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 (Perim) Island, which sits within the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The
Gaza Information Index 26 September 2026
Gaza Briefing: 18 September to 24 September 2026 / Page Updated: 26 September 2026 The NCF’s weekly overview of developments in Gaza, including the humanitarian situation, aid, peace efforts and related developments. In This Update
The AfD’s Rise: Understanding Germany’s New Political Reality
On 6 September 2026, the world woke up to news of a major victory for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt state elections. The AfD won 43.8% of the votes and 39 of
NCF Statement to the UN on Arbitrary Detention in Syria
NCF UN Oral Statement UNHRC63 Session Next Century Foundation’s Research Officer Mahmoud Shaaban addresses the United Nations Human Rights Council on deaths in detention and the continued use of arbitrary detention in Syria, highlighting the
NCF Reports on the Rights of Nature
The following is a report sent to the Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to a Healthy Environment. This follows a call for contribution by the Special Rapporteur on an upcoming report on the situation
Gaza Information Index 19 September 2026
Gaza Briefing: 12 September to 18 September 2026 / Page Updated: 19 September 2026 The NCF’s weekly overview of developments in Gaza, including the humanitarian situation, aid, peace efforts and related developments. In This Update
Is it still the occupation?
The following article from Dr Tony Klug, one of our senior members at the Next Century Foundation. He expresses his personal view. It was first published very recently in the Palestine-Israel Journal: It’s still the
NCF
Reports & Statements
to the United Nations
The Inevitable Failure of the Board of Peace
NCF Statement to the UN on Arbitrary Detention in Syria
Middle East
130,000 Displaced: Yemen’s Refugee Crisis reaches Somalia
Yemen’s truce is over and people are already crossing the Gulf of Aden. A refugee crisis is starting on the Somali coast, in places already
Gaza Information Index 3 October 2026
Gaza Briefing: Friday 25 September to Thursday 1 October 2026 / Page Updated: 3 October 2026 The NCF’s weekly overview of developments in and related
Reconstruction for Gaza?
Abdelmohsen Farahat, an architect from Cairo closely associated with the Next Century Foundation, has drafted a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. Abdelmohsen is a
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
Gaza Information Index 3 October 2026
Gaza Briefing: Friday 25 September to Thursday 1 October 2026 / Page Updated: 3 October 2026 The NCF’s weekly overview of developments in and related
The Inevitable Failure of the Board of Peace
On 17 November 2025, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 2803, handing control of Gaza to the Board of Peace. The Board is not affiliated
Reconstruction for Gaza?
Abdelmohsen Farahat, an architect from Cairo closely associated with the Next Century Foundation, has drafted a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. Abdelmohsen is a
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