Latest news with #conflictResolution
Associated Press
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
UN warns of renewed conflict in Syria but offers hope with sanctions lifting
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The top U.N. official for Syria warned Wednesday of the 'real dangers of renewed conflict and deeper confrontation' in the war-battered country but also hoped for a better life for its people following decisions by the U.S. and European Union to lift sanctions. Geir Pedersen noted the fragilities in the multiethnic country and 'the urgent need to address the growing polarization.' He pointed to violence against the Druze minority in late April following the killings in Alawite-minority areas in March. 'The challenges facing Syria are enormous, and the real dangers of renewed conflict and deeper fragmentation have not yet been overcome,' he told the U.N. Security Council. But Pedersen said the Syrian people are cautiously optimistic that President Donald Trump's announcement last week that the U.S. will lift sanctions and a similar EU announcement Tuesday will 'give them a better chance than before to succeed against great odds.' Speaking by video from Damascus, Pedersen called sanctions relief, including by the United Kingdom last month, as well as financial and energy support from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey 'historic developments.' 'They hold major potential to improve living conditions across the country and to support the Syrian political transition,' the U.N. special envoy said. 'And they give the Syrian people a chance to grapple with the legacy of misrule, conflict, abuses and poverty from which they are trying to emerge.' Former Syrian President Bashar Assad was ousted in a lightning rebel offensive late last year after a 13-year war, ending more than 50 years of rule by the Assad family. The new Syrian government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, has said Syria's heritage of coexistence must be preserved at all costs, but the country faces massive challenges. Today, 90% of Syrians live in poverty, with 16.5 million needing protection and humanitarian assistance, including nearly 3 million facing acute food insecurity, Ramesh Rajasingham, the U.N. humanitarian division's chief coordinator, told the council. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday that Syria is potentially 'on the verge of collapse,' warning that would lead to civil war and the country again becoming 'a playground' for the Islamic State group and other militants. Pedersen told the Security Council that IS has been escalating attacks in areas of Syria in recent weeks, with signs of more coordinated operations using improvised explosive devices and medium-range weapons. Rubio said there's no guarantee that 'things are going to work out' by lifting sanctions and working with al-Sharaa's transitional government, but if the U.S. didn't try, 'it's guaranteed not to work out.' He said Trump's announcement of sanctions relief has led regional and Arab partner nations to help stabilize the country. 'No one should pretend this is going to be easy, because it's not,' Rubio said. But if Syria could be stabilized, it would mean broader stability in the region, including Lebanon, Jordan and Israel, he said. 'It is a historic opportunity we hope comes to fruition,' Rubio said. 'We're going to do everything we can to make it succeed.' John Kelley, political coordinator at the U.S. mission to the United Nations, told the council that 'U.S. government agencies are now working to execute the president's direction on Syria's sanctions.' 'We look forward to issuing the necessary authorizations that will be critical to bringing new investment into Syria to help rebuild Syria's economy and put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous and stable future,' he said. 'The United States also has taken the first steps toward restoring normal diplomatic relations with Syria.' Syria's transitional government is urged to take 'bold steps' toward Trump administration expectations, Kelley said, including making peace with Israel, quickly removing foreign militant fighters from the Syrian military, ensuring foreign extremists such as Palestinian militias can't operate from Syria, and cooperating in preventing the resurgence of the Islamic State group. Syria's deputy U.N. ambassador, Riyad Khaddour, praised Trump's 'courageous decision' to lift sanctions as well as his meeting with al-Sharaa. Khaddour also touted actions by the European Union, U.K., Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates 'to support Syria as it moves forward with confidence and hope.' 'The new Syria' is seeking to become 'a state of peace and partnership, not a battleground for conflicts or a platform for foreign ambitions,' he said.
Al Jazeera
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israel should 'negotiate with the Palestinians' to stop war on Gaza
Former Israeli minister Yossi Beilin says that for indirect talks between Israel and Hamas in Doha to succeed, the sides must take concrete steps towards ending the war in Gaza.
Fox News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
President Trump confident Putin wants peace with Ukraine, thinks he's 'had enough' of war
Following his phone calls with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, President Donald Trump appeared confident that peace talks between the two warring nations will soon be progressing. In response to a reporter's question outside the White House on Monday, Trump said that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is genuine in his seeking a peace deal. "President Trump, do you think Vladimir Putin wants peace?" the reporter shouted across the lawn. Trump stopped and responded: "I do. Yes." "Do you still trust Putin?" the reporter continued, to which Trump responded: "I do." Speaking later that same day, after an event honoring fallen law enforcement officers in the White House, Trump said that he believes Putin has "had enough" of the war. "I think he's had enough. I think he's had enough. It's been a long time. This has been going on for more than three years. When you think, it's been going on for a long time," said the president. Meanwhile, Trump seemed less confident in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Asked whether Zelenskyy is doing enough to help the peace talks process along, Trump responded: "I'd rather tell you in about two weeks from now, because I can't say yes or no." "Look, he's a strong person, Zelenskyy, a strong guy, and he's not the easiest person to deal with," said Trump. "But I think that he wants to stop, and it's a very bad thing that's happening over there. I think he wants to stop. But I could answer that question better in two weeks or four weeks from now. I hope the answer is that he wants to get it solved." Trump also commented on newly inaugurated Pope Leo XIV, saying he would like to help facilitate peace between the two nations. Trump said that it would be "great" to have the peace talks at the Vatican. "There's tremendous bitterness, anger, and I think maybe that could help some of that anger," said Trump. Trump and Putin held a two-hour call on Monday in what the U.S. said was a push to get Russia to end its deadly war in Ukraine. Both Trump and Putin described the call in a positive light, with the Kremlin chief saying it was "frank" and "useful," but it is not immediately clear what results were achieved. Trump took to social media to praise the call as having gone "very well" and said, "Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War." "The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of," he added. Putin, in a statement after the call, also noted that "a ceasefire with Ukraine is possible" but "Russia and Ukraine must find compromises that suit both sides." Any concrete details on the nature of these compromises remain unclear, despite negotiation attempts in Turkey on Friday, which Trump suggested failed because he needed to negotiate with Putin first. In the lead up to the talks, Trump also spoke with Zelenskyy, along with other world leaders like U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, who said they discussed the urgent need for Putin to agree to an unconditional ceasefire or face serious repercussions, including more sanctions. Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukraine's landmass. However, the Russian military's advance has significantly slowed to a virtual stalemate. In October, Fox News Digital reported that Russia has suffered some 600,000 casualties in its war with Ukraine — more than its losses in every conflict since World War II combined.
CNN
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
When going to bed angry at your partner is OK
Sign up for CNN's Sleep, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. Arguments often feel urgent no matter what's going on for some of the couples Dr. Samantha Rodman sees in her practice as a clinical psychologist in Potomac, Maryland. This desire to resolve a conflict before heading to bed is particularly common for clients who grew up in a house where family members fought nonstop, said Rodman, author of '52 E-Mails to Transform Your Marriage: How to Reignite Intimacy and Rebuild Your Relationship.' 'It doesn't really occur to you to just shelve it and go to sleep.' For others, the tendency is because of the age-old adage that you should never go to bed angry — which sometimes comes from 'the belief that unresolved anger can fester overnight, leading to deeper resentment,' said Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, a clinical psychologist in New York City, via email. 'Its wisdom is likely to be rooted in the idea that resolution to arguments is essential for maintaining harmony and preventing even more emotional distance,' Romanoff said. 'Historically, it's a call for connection and prioritizing the relationship over lingering negativity.' Others' resistance to dropping an argument for the night may stem from self-comparison or toxic positivity, Rodman said — which can lead you to think you should be able to quickly discuss things with your partner, apologize, resolve the issue and happily call it a night. There's also the concern — sometimes in hindsight — about what may happen if you let your partner go about their next day with that lingering resentment between you two or without having said I love you. All considered, never going to bed angry sounds like a good rule to live by. But it isn't always useful, Romanoff said. 'Its rigidity can overlook individual needs, rest and perspective,' Romanoff said. 'Applying this convention without discretion can actually be detrimental to your relationship.' Putting an argument on pause and going to sleep upset is a skill you can practice, Rodman said. Here's how to do it and still keep your relationship intact. Delaying sleep to resolve an argument can backfire for several reasons. When you're exhausted, you're less inhibited and thus have less control of your emotions, so you're more impulsive and likely to say or do things you don't mean and will later regret, experts said. Your problem-solving, listening and reasoning skills, which are all necessary for effective communication, can take a hit too, especially if you're really worked up. Those factors, as well as being under the influence, can further exacerbate the problem, Rodman said. A good night's rest, however, can completely reset the brain. Sleep 'reduces your brain's reactivity to negative stimuli — or perceived negative stimuli — helps process emotions and restores your ability to approach problems rationally,' Romanoff said. 'A well-rested brain is better equipped to engage in thoughtful, respectful communication.' Sometimes, what you were arguing about will no longer seem important the next day. For whatever concerns that remain, though, you'll be more able to express them in a way that's less emotional or defensive and, ultimately, better for the relationship. Except on the rare occasions when something important and relevant to the conflict is about to happen late at night, Romanoff said all arguments should wait until the next day. Let's say you want to go to sleep but are struggling because the issue feels urgent, you're lying awake ruminating while your partner is sleeping soundly, or you're worried something bad might happen. These feelings could stem from 'attachment panic,' Rodman said. That's the fear that your attachment figure or closest relationship, typically your parents in childhood or your partner in adulthood, isn't there for you or doesn't love you. 'That's very evolutionarily motivated to try to get back to a state where you feel secure in the relationship,' Rodman added. In many of these cases, people feel the only way to manage their anxiety is to immediately try to repair things. But when you're worked up and tired, conversations with your partner won't go as well as when you're calm and rested. In fact, these conversations may even lead to a situation that heightens your anxiety. Regardless of why you just can't let it go, there are things you can do to settle down enough to get restful sleep. In some relationships, one person wants to discuss conflict more than the other, Rodman said. That person may worry that if the conversation doesn't happen right away, it never will — meaning the issue will never be resolved and the security and connection in the relationship will never be restored. That's why experts said it's critical for couples to commit to a time and place to follow up as soon as it's reasonably possible and when you're both in a better state of mind. Anticipating that things will be resolved soon can help calm you enough to sleep. Couples can also try to maintain any bedtime rituals that reinforce the foundation of the relationship, such as saying 'I love you,' cuddling or kissing each other good night, Romanoff said. Still engaging in these rituals communicates that your commitment to each other is more important than your current disagreement, offering reassurance without dismissing the conflict and balancing your immediate emotional security with the need for sleep, Romanoff said. Emotions are generally fleeting, but your commitment to, and care for, your partner likely aren't. You can even say all these things. If you're reading this tip and thinking, 'If I'm mad, there's no way I'm saying 'I love you,'' that stubbornness is part of what leads to frequent conflict, Romanoff said. 'The more you say, 'I can't learn new ways of engaging,' the less likely the relationship is to work out,' she added. 'In a healthy relationship, people are always learning new skills.' You don't have to do these things happily or romantically — a monotonous 'I love you' or a brief peck can still go a long way. It's not about denying your anger but about affirming the bond you share, Romanoff said. Self-regulating can also be important. You could try meditating, journaling, doing breathing exercises or distracting yourself by taking a quick shower or immersing your hands in cold water, Rodman said. Ask yourself, 'How can I handle things in a way that will make my future self proud? How can I care for myself as a parent would care for a child who's upset?' Learning how to soothe yourself 'is the real deep work that many people do with anxious attachment, especially in therapy,' Rodman said. Whenever you do have that follow-up conversation with your partner, remember that although arguments are inevitable, how you handle them defines your relationship and sometimes your sleep health, Romanoff said. 'Treat conflicts as opportunities to grow closer, not further apart,' Romanoff added. 'It's not about always maintaining a perfect relationship; it's about growing, learning and progressing through life together, even in the messy moments.'
Russia Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Ukraine won't survive a decade of conflict
Vladimir Zelensky has said that although he does not know how long the conflict with Russia will last, his country would not be able to survive another ten years of fighting. Speaking to the French newspaper Liberation, the Ukrainian leader conveyed his insistence on a personal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Türkiye to discuss an exchange of all prisoners and establishing a ceasefire. On Sunday, Putin proposed restarting direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which were unilaterally abandoned by Kiev in 2022. The president stated that Moscow would send a delegation to Istanbul to engage with the Ukrainian side, stressing that Russia is set on 'serious negotiation' that would contribute to a 'long-term sustainable peace' and address the root causes of the conflict. Zelensky, who had previously ruled out any negotiations with Moscow, welcomed the proposed talks in Istanbul and has personally traveled to Türkiye to potentially take part in the meeting. Ahead of the talks, he admitted to Liberation that Ukrainians have been growing tired of the conflict and that talks on ending the fighting have given people some hope. Asked if he should instead be preparing his citizens for another ten years of war, Zelensky stressed that 'Ukraine wouldn't survive' another decade of conflict. 'I look at the morale of the population, what people want. I look at our economy… It's costly for everyone,' Zelensky said. 'In fact, this war can't last very long,' he predicted. At the same time, the Ukrainian leader has dismissed the delegation sent by Russia to the talks as 'props,' insisting on personally meeting with Putin. Moscow has slammed Zelensky's position, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calling Zelensky a 'pathetic person.' Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has also stressed that there was never any talk of Putin travelling to Türkiye for the talks and branded Zelensky a 'clown' with no right to dismiss professionals in any field as 'props.' Meanwhile, Medinsky, who is leading Moscow's delegation in Istanbul, has stated that Russia is ready for dialogue with Ukraine and is prepared for 'possible compromises' in reaching a peace deal. 'We are in a working mood,' the presidential aide said. On Thursday, after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelensky stated that he would have 'nothing to do' at the talks without Putin's participation and said that Ukraine's delegation in Istanbul would instead be led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. He added that Kiev is engaging in the negotiations 'out of respect for [US President Donald] Trump and Erdogan.'
