ReportWire

Tag: Conflict

  • Human Trafficking Victims Caught in Thailand-Cambodia Conflict

    Posted on: December 20, 2025, 09:49h. 

    Last updated on: December 20, 2025, 09:49h.

    • The Thailand-Cambodia conflict reportedly has innocent civilians in its crossfire
    • Thailand is targeting suspected scam centers where trafficked persons work

    Thousands of people suspected to be human trafficking victims who have been forced to work in slave-like conditions in Cambodia along the Thailand border have been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.

    human trafficking Cambodia Thailand conflict
    A casino in Cambodia near the Thailand border, suspected to be a scam center, is bombed by Thai F-16 fighter jets. Human trafficking victims are said to be in the conflict’s crossfire. (Image: Royal Thai Military)

    Thailand has targeted border casinos in Cambodia that the Thai army claims have been retrofitted to serve as arsenals and firing positions for the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. Thailand has bombed or struck at least four casinos in Cambodia just across the border.

    The territorial dispute, which has endured for more than a century, escalated into armed conflict earlier this year after Thai soldiers in February prevented Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem at the Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient temple along the border. The incident resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

    A leaked phone call between Paetongtarn Shinawatra, then the prime minister of Thailand, and Hun Sen, the most powerful person in Cambodia, recorded the prime minister blaming her own army for the February incident. The informal conversation that was made public led to Shinawatra’s impeachment and intensified tensions between the two sides.

    Casino Scam Centers

    While there are many casinos on the Cambodia side of the Thai-Cambodia border, the United Nations says the casinos have also served as scam centers where an estimated 100,000 victims of human trafficking have been forced to perpetrate online scams in what’s believed to be a multibillion-dollar industry.  

    Amnesty International, an international human rights organization based in London, says the Cambodian government has allowed slavery and torture to “flourish inside hellish scamming compounds.” The organization has managed to visit 52 scamming compounds in Cambodia, with many of the buildings previously serving as casinos and hotels that were repurposed by criminal gangs from China.

    Most victims had been lured to Cambodia by deceptive job advertisements posted on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram. After being trafficked, survivors said they were forced to contact people using social media platforms and begin conversations aimed at defrauding them. These included fake romances or investment opportunities, selling products that would never be delivered, or building trust with victims before financially exploiting them, known as ‘pig-butchering,’” Amnesty reports.

    “Our findings reveal a pattern of state failures that have allowed criminality to flourish and raise questions about the government’s motivations,” said Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer.

    UN Advisory

    The United Nations confirmed this week that civilians and human trafficking victims in Cambodia remain at risk, and some have likely been killed in the Thailand-Cambodia conflict.

    Casino complexes and suspected scam centers in Cambodia have reportedly been hit,” the UN advised.

    “I am alarmed by reports that areas around villages and cultural sites are being struck by fighter jets, drones, and artillery. “Under international humanitarian law, it is very clear that protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure is paramount,” added Volker Türk, the UN’s high commissioner for human rights.  

    Devin O’Connor

    Source link

  • Trump signs order to limit state AI regulations, with California in the crosshairs

    The battle between California and the White House escalated as President Trump signed an executive order to block state laws regulating artificial intelligence.

    The president’s power move to try to take over control of the regulation of the technology behind ChatGPT through an executive order Thursday was applauded by his allies in Silicon Valley, who have been warning that many layers of heavy-handed rules and regulations were holding them back and could put the U.S. behind in the battle to benefit most from AI.

    The order directs the attorney general to create a task force to challenge some state AI laws. States with “onerous AI laws” could lose federal funding from a broadband deployment program and other grants, the order said.

    The Trump administration said the order will help U.S. companies win the AI race against countries such as China by removing “cumbersome regulation.” It also pushes for a “minimally burdensome” national standard rather than a patchwork of laws across 50 states that the administration said makes compliance challenging, especially for startups.

    “You have to have a central source of approval when they need approval. So things have to come to one source. They can’t go to California, New York and various other places,” Trump told reporters at the Oval Office on Thursday.

    California Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed back against the order, stating it “advances corruption, not innovation.”

    “They’re running a con. And every day, they push the limits to see how far they can take it,” Newsom said in a statement. “California is working on behalf of Americans by building the strongest innovation economy in the nation while implementing commonsense safeguards and leading the way forward.”

    The dueling remarks between Newsom and Trump underscore how the tech industry’s influence over regulation has increased tensions between the federal government and state lawmakers trying to place more guardrails around AI.

    While AI chatbots can help people quickly find answers to questions and generate text, code, and images, the increasing role the technology plays in people’s daily lives has also sparked greater anxiety about job displacement, equity, and mental health harms.

    The order heavily impacts California, home to some of the world’s largest tech companies such as OpenAI, Google, Nvidia and Meta. It also jeopardizes the $1.8 billion in federal funding California has received to expand high-speed internet throughout the state.

    Some analysts said Trump’s order is a win for tech giants that have vowed to invest trillions of dollars to build data centers and in research and development.

    “We believe that more organizations are expected to head down the AI roadmap through strategic deployments over time, but this executive order takes away more questions around future AI buildouts and removes a major overhang moving forward,” said Wedbush analyst Dan Ives in a statement.

    Facing lobbying from tech companies, Newsom has vetoed some AI legislation while signing others into law this year.

    One new law requires platforms to display labels for minors that warn about social media’s mental health harms. Another aims to make AI developers more transparent about safety risks and offers more whistleblower protections.

    He also signed a bill that requires chatbot operators to have procedures to prevent the production of suicide or self-harm content, though child safety groups removed support for that legislation because they said the tech industry successfully pushed for changes that weakened protections.

    States and consumer advocacy groups are expected to legally challenge Trump’s order.

    “Trump is not our king, and he cannot simply wave a pen to unilaterally invalidate state law,” state Sen. Steve Padilla (D-Chula Vista), who introduced the chatbot safety legislation that Newsom signed into law, said in a statement.

    In addition to California, three other states — Colorado, Texas and Utah — have passed laws that set some rules for AI across the private sector, according to the International Assn. of Privacy Professionals. Those laws include limiting the collection of certain personal information and requiring more transparency from companies.

    The more ambitious AI regulation proposals from states require private companies to provide transparency and assess the possible risks of discrimination from their AI programs. Many have regulated parts of AI: barring the use of deepfakes in elections and to create nonconsensual porn, for example, or putting rules in place around the government’s own use of AI.

    The order drew both praise and criticism from the tech industry.

    Collin McCune, the head of government affairs at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, said on social media site X that the executive order is an “incredibly important first step.”

    “But the vacuum for federal AI legislation remains,” he wrote. “Congress needs to come together to create a clear set of rules that protect the millions of Americans using AI and the Little Tech builders driving it forward.”

    Omidyar Network Chief Executive Mike Kubzansky said in a statement that he is aware of the risks posed by poorly drafted rules, but the solution isn’t to preempt state and local laws.

    “Americans are rightly concerned about AI’s impact on kids, jobs, and the costs imposed on consumers and communities by the rapid development of data centers,” he said. “Ignoring these issues through a blanket moratorium is an abdication of what elected officials owe their constituents — which is why we strongly oppose the Administration’s recent executive action.”

    Investors seemed unimpressed by the possible boost the sector could get from the White House.

    The stock market fell sharply on Friday, led by AI shares.

    Bloomberg and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Queenie Wong

    Source link

  • What are Putin’s Ultimate Demands for Peace in Ukraine?

    Indeed, on November 24th, Ukrainian officials announced that, after meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials, in Geneva, they had come up with their own, nineteen-point plan. In the new draft, Zelensky said, “many of the right elements have been taken into account.”

    The next day, Trump announced that Witkoff would travel to Moscow, and Dan Driscoll, the Secretary of the Army, would fly to Kyiv. “There are only a few remaining points of disagreement,” Trump said. But, heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, there are now essentially two proposals: a Witkoff plan and a Rubio plan. One suits Russia, the other Ukraine. The war’s essential logic has again revealed itself: Moscow won’t accept what Kyiv can stomach.

    Throughout Trump’s second term, officials in Kyiv have appeared more willing to make concessions than many observers realize. The country’s situation on the battlefield, while not catastrophic, is unfavorable. Ukraine lacks sufficient numbers of combat-ready infantry, and its drones are not able to fully defend against the Russian onslaught. Russia, though its advances have come at enormous cost to its forces, has achieved an operational momentum that Ukraine has struggled to halt. The situation in the southern front, around Zaporizhzhia, has become as worrying as that in the east, where the battle for the city of Pokrovsk has attracted the most attention. Members of the Ukrainian military are questioning the competency of the top command and the ability of their forces to hold the line. According to Balazs Jarabik, a former European diplomat with extensive connections in Kyiv, security officials have told him that “Armageddon is coming.”

    Meanwhile, a corruption scandal unfolded in Kyiv earlier this month in which several top officials, including a longtime Zelensky confidant with interests in the energy and drone sectors, were implicated in a hundred-million-dollar kickback scheme. NABU, an independent anticorruption body that Zelensky had tried but failed to bring under his authority this summer, released a series of incriminating surveillance tapes. In the videos, a suspect complains that his back hurts from carrying so many bags of cash; another says it’s not worth spending the money to protect electrical substations from Russian attack—an infuriating statement in a winter of rolling blackouts. “The scandal shook the state to the core,” Jarabik said. “Everyone was wondering, Who else is on these tapes?” Zelensky, even if not directly involved, was left politically wounded.

    The country’s fiscal crisis has also become too acute to ignore. According to estimates by the European Commission, over the next two years Ukraine will need more than a hundred and thirty billion euros to fill holes in its budget. With Trump in the White House, that money is not likely coming from the U.S. In theory, the problem could be solved by an E.U. proposal, which would reportedly provide Ukraine with a hundred and forty billion euros from an even larger sum of frozen Russian assets that are being held in Europe. However, that effort has stalled, and the sums may never reach Ukraine; Belgium, the home of Euroclear, one of the continent’s chief securities depositories, is wary of taking on the sole legal responsibility for the maneuver.

    The Kremlin is keenly aware of the pressures that Zelensky and the Ukrainian state are under. If anything, Putin has consistently overestimated this factor. “He thinks for him to get what he wants he just needs to push a bit more,” Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told me. “He will squeeze every last drop. Trump will twist Ukraine’s arm or the country will be weakened to the point that it has no choice.”

    That’s not to say that Russia is entirely without its own reasons to consider a deal. Oil prices are down. U.S. sanctions imposed in October on Rosneft and Lukoil, two of Russia’s largest oil companies, have eaten into the Kremlin’s most important revenue stream—this month, income from oil-and-gas sales was down about a quarter from a year ago. Importers in India and China, the two most important markets for Russian oil, have scaled down or even cancelled their purchases. Meanwhile, Ukraine has stepped up its campaign of drone strikes on refining and processing facilities inside Russia. As for the military effort, enlistment numbers fell to a two-year low this summer. Some Russian regions, facing local budget crunches, have cut the large signing bonuses they were handing out to new recruits.

    Joshua Yaffa

    Source link

  • Opinion | The Truth About the War in Sudan

    By

    Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

    Khartoum, Sudan

    Sudan is a country with a long memory: Our history stretches back to the biblical Kingdom of Kush, one of Africa’s greatest civilizations. The war now waged by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia is unlike anything we’ve ever faced. It is tearing the fabric of our society, uprooting millions, and placing the entire region at risk. Even so, Sudanese look to allies in the region and in Washington with hope. Sudan is fighting not only for its survival, but for a just peace that can only be achieved with the support of partners who recognize the truth of how the war began and what is required to end it.

    Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

    Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

    Source link

  • Opinion | Can Trump Deliver Putin?

    The hysterics will get hysterical all over again when it turns out peace isn’t nigh.

    Holman W. Jenkins, Jr.

    Source link

  • Ecological Threat Report 2025: Extreme Wet-Dry Seasons Emerge as Critical Conflict Catalyst

    Approximately 2 billion people – one quarter of humanity – now live in regions experiencing moderate to severe increases in seasonality


    LONDON, England, October 29, 2025 (Newswire.com)
    –
    New research from the Institute for Economics & Peace reveals that changing rainfall patterns are significantly amplifying conflict risks worldwide. The 2025 Ecological Threat Report (ETR), released today, finds conflict death rates are substantially higher in areas where rainfall is concentrating into fewer months, compared to regions where rain is spreading more evenly throughout the year.

    Key Findings

    • On average in areas where wet and dry seasons are becoming more extreme, there are four times as many conflict deaths as areas where it has decreased.

    • In 2024, natural hazards triggered 45 million short-term internal displacements across 163 countries, the highest figure since at least 2008.

    • Western Brazil, including parts of the Amazon, has recorded some of the world’s sharpest increases in ecological threat levels. Temperatures have risen at twice the global rate, triggering drought and wildfires.

    • Sub-Saharan Africa faces the world’s most severe ecological pressures, with Niger registering the worst ETR score.

    • Central and Western Europe recorded substantial overall improvements, in part representing a return to normalcy following Europe’s unusually dry climatic conditions in 2019.

    • Despite fears of looming water wars, there have been no interstate conflicts fought exclusively over water in the modern era. In the second half of the 20th century, at least 157 international freshwater treaties have been signed, offering models for interstate cooperation.

    • This cooperative approach to water somewhat mirrors nuclear deterrence since the Second World War. In both cases, the very threat of catastrophic destruction has created pragmatic cooperation. The destruction of water supply can lead to societal collapse.

    Approximately 2 billion people – one quarter of humanity – now live in regions experiencing moderate to severe increases in seasonality. This is where wet seasons are becoming shorter and more intense, while dry seasons are longer and drier. These changes are disrupting agricultural calendars and heightening uncertainty for billions of people who rely on seasonal rains for food and livelihoods.

    The Ecological Threat Report, produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, covers 3,125 sub-national areas in 172 countries and territories representing more than 99% of the world’s population. Between 2019 and 2024, ETR scores deteriorated in 96 countries and improved in 74.

    Sub-Saharan Africa Approaching Multiple Critical Tipping Points

    In sub-Saharan Africa, conflict risk rises sharply when seasonality combines with rapid population growth. Unpredictable rains trigger agricultural stress. When coupled with demographic pressure, competition over land, water and food intensifies. In regions with weak governance and unresolved grievances, this combination proves combustible.

    The Karamoja Cluster in East Africa illustrates this pattern. While total rainfall remains relatively stable, its timing has become less predictable, amplifying both drought and flood hazards, leading to increased conflict. With only 2% of cultivated land irrigated compared to a global average of 20%, East African communities remain highly vulnerable to these shocks. Since 2019, increased rainfall seasonality has coincided with a resurgence of pastoralist violence after years of relative peace.

    “Rainfall seasonality is becoming a powerful conflict catalyst,”said Steve Killelea AM, Founder & Executive Chairman of the Institute for Economics & Peace.“Where rains are increasingly concentrated into fewer months, conflict deaths rise sharply. In sub-Saharan Africa, rapid population growth amplifies this effect, turning unpredictable seasons into competition for land, water and food. The issue isn’t water scarcity – it’s our failure to capture and distribute it. Only 2% of Sub-Saharan African farmland is irrigated, compared to 20% globally.”

    Water Inequality and the Infrastructure Gap

    The world’s renewable freshwater supply is finite and increasingly unevenly distributed. There are 295 subnational areas facing very high water risk and another 780 with high risk, affecting nearly 1.9 billion people.

    High-income countries have reduced per capita water use by roughly one-third since 2000 through efficiency gains and slower population growth, while many low-income nations face rising total withdrawals and falling per capita availability as populations outpace supply.

    Sub-Saharan Africa highlights this imbalance. Per capita water use has dropped from 113 cubic metres in 2000 to just 89 in 2022 – less than one-fifth of the global average. The result is mounting pressure on limited water sources and intensifying competition among farms, industries and households, heightening the risk of conflict.

    The failure to capture and distribute water is most acute in sub-Saharan Africa, which has the lowest irrigation rates in the world. To irrigate 34 million hectares would require only 6% of the region’s annual renewable water resources.

    Steve Killelea said: “COP30 must prioritise investment in climate-resilient water systems as a foundation for sustainability and peace. Just as nuclear treaties reduced the risk of annihilation, international cooperation on water can reduce the risk of ecological collapse. Both demonstrate that survival depends less on dominance, than on shared responsibility.”

    Interstate Water Cooperation

    Popular narratives have warned of looming “water wars”, especially in transboundary river and lake basins. The ETR finds this is not the case. While disputes over shared rivers do occur, no interstate wars have been fought over water in the modern era. This makes the lessons of successful interstate water cooperation even more important. In an era of increasing conflict, understanding why interstate cooperation has been so successful can provide a blueprint for avoiding future conflicts.

    Even in tense basins such as the Indus River – shared by India and Pakistan – water-sharing has continued despite repeated episodes of conflict, political confrontations and military tension. Water agreements, by necessity, encourage nations to think beyond immediate political grievances toward long-term survival and shared benefit.

    Regional Analysis

    Sub-Saharan Africa faces the world’s most severe ecological pressures. However, some southern and eastern African countries, including Lesotho, Rwanda, Eritrea and Eswatini, have improved their ETR scores. More favourable rainfall patterns in these countries resulted in marked reductions in water risk over the past five years.

    In contrast, northwest Africa has seen the steepest deterioration in ETR scores over the same period, led by Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, where persistent drought and rising temperatures have reversed the unusually favourable conditions of 2019.

    Central and Western Europe recorded notable improvements, marking a return to normal following the extreme dryness of 2019.

    Source: Institute for Economics & Peace

    Related Media

    Source link

  • Opinion | Gaza Deal Is a Big Win for Trump—but Voters Are Fickle

    He has secured a place in history, but the midterm elections are another matter.

    Karl Rove

    Source link

  • Opinion | The Peace Deal Proves That Netanyahu’s Critics Were Wrong

    They kept insisting the prime minister was prolonging the war for political reasons.

    Elliot Kaufman

    Source link

  • Opinion | Free Gaza’s Palestinians from Hamas

    Trump’s peace plan is a path to freedom and stability for the strip’s oppressed residents.

    Moumen Al-Natour

    Source link

  • Opinion | The Oct. 7 Warning for the U.S. on China

    Hamas’s shock troops poured across Israel’s border two years ago, kidnapping, raping and killing civilian men, women and children. Israel’s bitter experience offers lessons America should learn before our own moment of reckoning.

    The most important is that the hypothetical war can actually happen. Even if we’re intellectually prepared, there’s a risk that years of relative peace has lulled us into a false sense of security. The Israeli defense establishment never truly believed Hamas would launch a full-scale invasion. They viewed Gaza as a chronic but manageable problem—one for diplomats and intelligence officers, distant from the daily concerns of citizens. Israeli politicians and generals also spoke of open conflict with the Iran-led Islamist axis much like their American counterparts speak of China and a Taiwan crisis—the pacing threat and the most likely test, yes, but ultimately a question for tomorrow. Then tomorrow came.

    Copyright ©2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

    Mike Gallagher

    Source link

  • Here’s Why You Don’t Want Your Teams to Get Along All the Time

    When I was building my company, I discovered something surprising about building teams: The good ones don’t get along. At least not all the time.

    Our best strategic decisions, the real breakthroughs, came from heated debates between team members with fundamentally different perspectives—not from meetings where everyone quickly agreed.

    And when it comes to the leadership teams that I coach, the ones that consistently generate superior strategic options share one trait: they’ve deliberately designed productive tension into their composition while maintaining alignment around core values and company purpose.

    Here’s how to build that healthy tension in to your team.

    1. Industry experience diversity

    Teams composed entirely of industry veterans develop blind spots because they share the same assumptions about what’s possible and normal. When everyone thinks customer problems should be solved the same way, we miss breakthrough approaches that adjacent industries use successfully. Audit your team for cross-sector representation and deliberately include members who can challenge industry orthodoxy with fresh problem-solving approaches from different sectors.

    2. Cognitive style variation

    Analytical thinkers, intuitive decision-makers, and creative problem-solvers process information differently and reach different conclusions from the same data. Teams dominated by analytical minds excel at optimization but struggle with pattern recognition and breakthrough thinking. Assess your team’s thinking patterns and ensure representation across analytical depth, intuitive insight, and creative solution generation to avoid strategic blind spots.

    3. Cultural background differences

    Different cultural perspectives shape risk assessment, hierarchy expectations, and communication approaches in ways that reveal strategic assumptions teams don’t realize they’re making. Homogeneous cultural groups miss market opportunities because they assume their perspective represents universal customer behavior. Evaluate your team’s cultural composition and consider how different cultural lenses might challenge current strategic assumptions and reveal hidden market segments.

    4. Generational perspective ranges

    Different generations bring distinct perspectives on technology adoption, work values, and market evolution that fundamentally impact strategic planning effectiveness. Groups skewed toward one generation miss emerging trends or overestimate technology adoption rates in their target markets. Review your team’s generational spread and ensure representation across different technology comfort levels and workplace expectations that affect strategic decision-making.

    5. Geographic experience spanning

    Urban and rural perspectives, along with different regional market contexts, create fundamentally different assumptions about customer behavior, distribution challenges, and operational requirements. Teams with narrow geographic experience develop strategies that work in familiar markets but fail in different contexts. Assess your team’s geographic diversity and include perspectives from different market contexts relevant to your strategic expansion or customer base.

    6. Company size experience mixing

    Startup, enterprise, and mid-market operational perspectives create different approaches to resource allocation, risk management, and growth strategies that significantly impact strategic effectiveness. Individuals with similar company size backgrounds miss operational insights that could dramatically improve strategic execution. Evaluate your team’s company size backgrounds and ensure representation across different operational scales to optimize strategic approaches.

    7. Risk tolerance level spectrum

    Conservative and aggressive decision-making preferences balance strategic options between sustainable growth and breakthrough opportunities, but teams skewed in either direction miss critical strategic possibilities. Those that are risk-averse miss competitive timing advantages while risk-aggressive teams overlook sustainability concerns. Audit your team’s risk tolerance distribution and ensure representation across the risk spectrum relevant to your strategic objectives and market position.

    Action Items

    Leaders who master strategic diversity create teams that generate more strategic options while maintaining operational effectiveness through shared values and purpose. The competitive advantage comes from superior strategic thinking, not perfect team harmony—breakthrough ideas require productive tension.

    • Which diversity gaps in your current team composition might be limiting strategic options?
    • How could different industry or cultural perspectives reveal blind spots in your current strategy?
    • What breakthrough thinking might emerge if your team included more cognitive diversity?

    The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

    Bruce Eckfeldt

    Source link

  • Overcoming the Fear of Confrontation in Relationships: How Conflict Can Impact Your Bond

    When the mere thought of raising an issue with a loved one fills you with dread, you are likely experiencing confrontation anxiety. Yet, navigating through confrontations is crucial for sustaining a loving and genuine bond. Our research shows that when conflicts are addressed in a healthy way, they can actually draw you closer, fostering deeper understanding and trust. Let’s explore how you can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth, paving the way for richer, more fulfilling connections.

    Brief Overview

    Navigating conflict in relationships can feel intimidating, yet it’s crucial for fostering authentic connections. Understanding and addressing the fear of confrontation can transform anxiety into empowering dialogue, deepening connection and intimacy. Research shows that healthy conflict strengthens trust and opens pathways for growth. By adopting effective communication strategies and reframing conflicts as opportunities, you can build a resilient partnership. Embrace these challenges with empathy and open dialogue to enrich your relationship journey, paving the way for deeper understanding and emotional security. Remember, every difficult conversation is a step toward a more fulfilling relationship.

    Key Highlights

    • Fear of confrontation often stems from past experiences, leading to avoidance patterns in relationships.
    • Healthy conflict can strengthen bonds by fostering honesty and encouraging deeper intimacy and understanding.
    • Unhealthy conflict is characterized by blame, escalation, and defensiveness, harming emotional connections.
    • Open, honest dialogue involves active listening, “I” statements, and scheduled relationship check-ins.
    • Having a positive perspective about your partner and reframing conflict as a growth opportunity for your relationship will lead to deeper connection.

    Understanding the Fear of Confrontation

    When it comes to relationships, many of us know just how challenging the fear of confrontation can be. Often, the anxiety associated with the potential confrontation creates a pattern of avoidance that prevents meaningful connections. Exploring what’s behind this fear can help to uncover unresolved issues within the relationship. Usually this is a dynamic that has been developed as a way to cope with the environment often times beginning in childhood.

    What Is Fear of Confrontation?

    Fear of confrontation usually begins with anxiety that is rooted in the fear that the confrontation will lead to negative outcomes. There is a belief that confronting issues might make things worse with your partner, hurt your partner’s feelings or bring up negative emotions in yourself. Sometimes the fear is not about the outcome but rather the experience of going through the confrontation. 

    By avoiding confrontation, the anxious person feels temporary relief. But over time, unresolved issues pile up, resentment grows, and relationships become strained. Every time avoidance “works” (reduces anxiety in the moment), the brain learns to keep using it. Unfortunately, this makes confrontation feel even scarier next time.

    Common Reasons Behind the Fear

    Identifying the reasons behind confrontation fear leads us to a better understanding of why many individuals find conflict in relationships overwhelming. Often, past experiences play a significant role; if you’ve faced negative consequences from confrontations, even subtle ones, your instinct might be to avoid them altogether. This past conditioning can create an intense fear of emotional overflow, which could lead to prolonged avoidance of critical discussions.

    Moreover, many of us seek validation and approval, making the fear of upsetting a partner, or having them be ‘mad’ at us a substantial barrier to open communication. Our research indicates that emotional withdrawal functions as a common defensive response, which over time contributes to the accumulation of unresolved issues. Personal experiences, such as growing up in an environment where conflict was seen as negative, can deeply engrain these beliefs, making confrontation appear destructive rather than constructive.

    There is also a perception in our culture that conflict is inherently negative or hostile. This can prevent individuals from recognizing the potential benefits of addressing issues head-on. By understanding that conflict can build rather than break bonds, you can begin to reframe what confrontation and conflict mean. Seeing confrontation as an opportunity instead of a threat can ease fear and open the door to growth in the relationship.

    The Impact of Conflict on Relationships

    Whether it’s a minor disagreement or a significant issue, the impact of conflict can shape the dynamics and overall health of your relationship. Understanding this impact helps couples transform conflict into opportunities to nurture intimacy and trust. But it’s also crucial to recognize when conflict crosses into unhealthy patterns, undermining the connection you treasure. Let’s explore how conflict can strengthen bonds and how to identify unhealthy dynamics if they are present.

    How Conflict Can Strengthen Bonds

    When you think about conflict, it might feel like a rift threatening to separate you and your partner. Yet, it’s vital to flip this narrative and see conflict as the bridge it can be. Healthy conflict transforms how relationships evolve by inviting honesty and vulnerability, encouraging deeper intimacy. Our research shows that when couples engage in healthy conflict, it can provide the pathway to understanding, creating a shared language where both voices and feelings matter.

    Each conflict doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Instead, it can become a chance to practice empathy, active listening, and reinforce the emotional depth of your relationship. You acknowledge the fears and feelings of one another, which actively strengthens the bonds you’re trying to protect. When you approach conflicts with the intent to understand rather than convince, you are strengthening your emotional connection. This kind of healthy conflict promotes growth, allowing couples to navigate life’s complexities together.

    Moreover, addressing conflict transparently demonstrates commitment to the relationship’s health and wellbeing. It shows that you’re willing to do the hard work,  normalizing the idea that it’s okay not to agree on everything. Doing so not only nurtures individuality but also fosters an environment of authenticity. Remember, it’s not about fighting to win; it’s about fighting for the relationship. Intentionally navigating conflicts with love and respect forms the cornerstone of a lasting, fulfilling bond. Transform the perception of conflict from a destructive force to a constructive tool in deepening your connection.

    Recognizing the Signs of Unhealthy Conflict

    While healthy conflict can indeed be a powerful catalyst for growth, not all conflicts are created equal. Unhealthy conflict often creeps silently into relationships, damaging the bond over time. Recognizing these signs early on can help prevent long-term emotional harm. When conflict shifts from constructive dialogue to repetitive cycles of blame, escalation, and unresolved issues, it becomes unhealthy conflict. This pattern often leads to feelings of resentment that simmer beneath the surface, threatening to bubble over when not addressed.

    Unhealthy conflict manifests when the dynamic becomes more about winning or proving a point rather than seeking mutual understanding and resolution. This is often accompanied by emotional withdrawal, silence, or passive-aggressive behaviors, creating emotional barriers instead of bridges. Excessive or aggressive arguments may leave one or both partners feeling unheard or invalidated, which erodes trust and psychological safety, fundamental pillars of any relationship.

    Unhealthy conflict often stems from past interpersonal patterns, where negative confrontation modeled in earlier experiences influences current behaviors. If you find that interactions consistently result in distress, or if they repeatedly trigger defensiveness, it’s crucial to address these issues. Look for patterns where criticism, contempt, defensiveness, or stonewalling are common, as these often indicate the presence of toxic conflict dynamics.

    Ultimately, recognizing the signs of unhealthy conflict serves as the first step towards intervention and healing. It encourages partners to pause, reflect, and open dialogues aimed at repair and reconciliation. Normalizing the experience by understanding that even distressing conflict offers valuable insights can turn the narrative from one of despair to hope. As you work through these obstacles, remember, it’s entirely possible to restore, and even enhance, the emotional connection by mindfully repairing cracked lines of communication. 

    Building Effective Communication Skills

    Developing effective communication skills is essential to overcome the fear of confrontation and strengthen your relationship’s emotional intimacy. It’s about embracing open communication while creating a safe space where emotions can be expressed without fear. We’ll dive into strategies that foster honest dialogue and explore methods to cultivate an environment where communication is not just heard but understood. By nurturing these skills, couples can transform conflicts into opportunities for growth, enabling relationships to thrive even during challenging times.

    Strategies for Open and Honest Dialogue

    Open communication begins with cultivating an environment where both partners feel safe and respected. Our research shows this vulnerability can lead to deeper intimacy. It’s crucial to prioritize active listening, ensuring your partner’s voice is not just heard but valued. This involves acknowledging their feelings without immediate judgment, which fosters a dialogue grounded in understanding rather than defensiveness. By asking open-ended questions, you can encourage a flow of conversation that dives into the emotional layers of your relationship, addressing both the spoken words and the emotions beneath them.

    It’s also beneficial to set aside dedicated time for honest dialogue, free from distractions. Regularly scheduled “relationship check-ins” can offer times for partners to express thoughts and feelings preemptively, preventing minor grievances from snowballing into major conflicts. During these sessions, maintaining open body language, like eye contact and nodding, affirms engagement and empathy, significantly enhancing the quality of communication. This deliberate practice turns conversations into a tool for relationship growth and resilience.

    Creating a Safe Space for Expression

    Establishing a safe space for expression is part of promoting healthy communication in relationships. We all know that feeling, when the fear of expressing oneself leads to pent-up emotions. Over time, this can hinder intimacy and create emotional distance. Creating a safe environment, however, nurtures openness and encourages partners to share their true selves without apprehension. It’s important to address any assumptions or biases that might cloud your perception of your partner’s intentions. Effective communication also means being mindful of your responses, steering clear of dismissive or judgmental replies that could stifle further expression. Agreeing on pause strategies, like taking a break during heated exchanges, helps both partners maintain composure and refocus on understanding rather than reacting impulsively.

    Creating a safe space isn’t a passive activity; it demands active participation. Encourage emotional sharing without rushing to solutions immediately. Sometimes, simply validating your partner’s feelings is enough, showing that their emotions are both acknowledged and important. Use reflective listening, paraphrasing back what your partner has said, to affirm their sense of being heard. 

    Practical Steps to Overcome the Fear of Confrontation

    Embarking on the journey to overcome the fear of confrontation can feel overwhelming, but it’s a crucial step toward healthier relationships and deeper emotional connections. It’s about learning to navigate through conflict avoidance and embracing effective communication. By understanding practical techniques and tips for dealing with confrontations, individuals can transform conflicts into opportunities for emotional growth. 

    Five Techniques to Embrace Constructive Conversations

    We all know that feeling when the mere thought of a difficult conversation with your partner fills you with apprehension. Using these strategies, you can reduce the anxiety by having concrete ways to discuss difficult topics and overcome conflict avoidance.

    1. Active listening

    Active listening means giving your complete attention to your partner’s words and feelings without planning your response while they’re speaking. This approach fosters emotional awareness and helps you respond thoughtfully, rather than reacting impulsively. It’s also crucial to take a calm, measured approach to discussions. Practice pausing when emotions run high; this not only defuses tension but also signals respect for your partner’s perspective.

    2. Use ‘I’ statements 

    Using ‘I’ statements can significantly change the dynamics of a conversation. By expressing your feelings and needs without blaming your partner, you decrease the likelihood of defensive responses. For instance, saying, “I feel overwhelmed when things are left unresolved” is much more constructive than “You never listen to me.” This method encourages a more open and honest dialogue, helping both partners understand each other’s emotional landscapes without the fear of conflict escalation.

    3. Regular check-ins 

    Designating specific times to discuss any ongoing issues with your partner creates a structured environment where concerns can be voiced before they turn into conflicts. This proactive approach not only alleviates the buildup of emotional tension but also reinforces trust and teamwork within the relationship. Remember, conflict isn’t just about disputes; it’s an opportunity to dive deeper into each other’s needs, fostering a partnership built on mutual understanding and support.

    4. Mindfulness

    Mindful awareness plays a critical role in this transformation. By practicing mindfulness, you cultivate an ability to stay present during discussions, reducing the tendency to catastrophize or avoid. Approach each conversation with curiosity and a genuine desire to understand your partner’s viewpoint. Encouraging an inquisitive mindset not only normalizes emotions but also shifts the focus from proving a point to reaching a shared understanding. 

    5. Positive perspective

    Seeing your partner in the positive perspective means giving them the benefit of the doubt. It means that you are looking for the good things they are doing not what they are doing wrong. This is part of the mental shift that needs to happen along with seeing conflict as an opportunity for connection rather than as a threat to your existence.

    Tips for Reframing Your Mindset Around Conflict

    Reframing your mindset about conflict can significantly impact how you deal with confrontation, fostering healthier relationships where open communication thrives. Begin by recognizing conflict as an opportunity for growth rather than a source of anxiety. Acknowledge the fear and discomfort while using these concrete strategies to move forward. You will retrain your brain to no longer avoid conflict as a strategy, instead replacing it with supportive conversations with the person you love. By having more and more positive experiences dealing with conflict you will experience less anxiety and act less avoidant.

    Creating a narrative of collaboration rather than competition significantly transforms confrontational energy. Encourage each other to express feelings and thoughts by actively validating  emotions even if you disagree with the words. This approach promotes emotional safety and deters the cycle of avoidance or escalation.  It’s all about nurturing a resilient emotional bond that thrives on open dialogues, offering hope and realistic expectations as you navigate together through the challenges of intimacy.

    It’s natural to shy away from conflict, yet addressing and understanding it can serve as a vital tool for strengthening your relationship. By embracing these moments with open communication and empathy, you transform them into opportunities for growth and connection. Remember, every step you take towards addressing your fears is a step towards a healthier, more satisfying relationship. 

    The Gottman Institute

    Source link

  • What To Do When You Cannot Stand Your Kid’s Teacher

    My mother couldn’t stand my fourth-grade teacher. In fact, no parent seemed to like her. She and other parents would constantly complain to the teacher about their kids’ poor performances, her tendency to pick favorites or the time she had a high-performing student grade tests for her.

    Despite my mom’s intense dislike for her, I still had to deal with her every day that school year, which made for uncomfortable confrontations and a lot of stress for a 9-year-old to handle.

    There comes a point in your kid’s school career when they get a teacher with whom you may not mesh well, whether you feel they’re mistreating your child, are generally nasty or are just not a good fit for your kid’s learning style.

    However, overcoming that dislike is crucial for helping your child succeed throughout the school year.

    “While both parties usually have the student’s best interests at heart, misunderstandings, personality differences or communication styles can sometimes lead to tension,” said Farnaz Heydari, principal of Grant Elementary School in the Bay Area.

    If you find yourself in a similar position, here’s how to help mend the situation for the sake of your child’s learning.

    Why Conflicts Between Parents and Teachers Happen

    Parents and teachers may butt heads for different reasons. One could be that the parent thinks the teacher is targeting their child, or being unfair or inattentive to their needs.

    “Many parents think their child is the only one in the class,” Danielle M., a New York City public school teacher, told HuffPost.

    Danielle also noted that many parents get frustrated when teachers aren’t available all hours of the day to answer their questions:

    “We can’t always answer a parent’s 6 p.m. email because we leave school and return home to take care of our own children,” the teacher said.

    Other times, a conflict is rooted in deeper concerns, Heydari said.

    “A parent might be worried about their child’s struggles or a teacher might feel overwhelmed with workload and responsibilities.”

    What To Do If You Don’t Like Your Kid’s Teacher

    Even when a parent or teacher is perceived as “difficult,” collaboration is absolutely important and plays a pivotal role in a student’s academic, social and emotional development,” Heydari said.

    Below are some tips for handling the situation to get through the school year with few problems.

    Set expectations and communication guidelines at the beginning of the school year.

    “At the beginning of the school year, roles, expectations and preferred ways of communication should be established,” Heydari said.

    And we don’t mean telling your teacher how to do their job. Instead, give your teacher insight into how your child learns and behaves. Did they struggle with a specific subject last year? Are there family problems at home that could impact your child’s academic performance?

    “Clear, respectful and regular communication prevents many misunderstandings,” Heydari said. When something happens, how will you connect with the teacher? Is there an online form where you can submit questions? Are they the type to call you if there’s a problem with your child?

    By laying the groundwork at the beginning of the year, you provide the teacher with a better understanding of how your child thinks and behaves, and you are better prepared to tackle any issues that may arise down the line.

    Ask questions instead of making demands.

    Have you ever been surprised when your kid comes home with a bad grade, especially since they’re typically an A student? This is just one of many situations where a parent and teacher might clash. Instead of marching to your kid’s teacher and demanding to change the grade, approach the situation with curiosity and understanding.

    “Entitlement is a big turn-off, especially when we want the best for your child, too,” Danielle said. For example, instead of saying, “Fix my child’s grade!” ask what the child struggled with, how you can help and if there is any ability to gain extra credit.

    Also, pay attention to how you’re speaking to the teacher as well.

    “Oftentimes, tone can come off differently via email, so a phone call or face-to-face conversation would probably be the most helpful and gets to the point,” explained Danielle.

    Don’t go over their heads, no matter how tempting it is.

    Danielle warns against going behind a teacher’s back to solve any issues. Generally, you should try reaching out to your kid’s teacher and solve the problem yourselves. You can try intervention strategies such as using a homework notebook, a daily log or frequent teacher/parent communication.

    “If no middle ground is reached, I would communicate with the teacher that things will be escalated to a higher power,” Danielle said.

    Bring it back to your student.

    When disagreements occur, Heydari suggests reframing the conversation by reminding the parties that they intend to support the student.

    “A shared commitment is at the core of the parent-teacher relationship in helping students succeed,” she added. “Keeping this at the forefront can redirect energy from frustration toward problem-solving when any issues arise.”

    Remember, teachers are human and have a job to do.

    Teachers juggle a huge workload, often with multiple students ― sometimes 30 at a time ― ensuring they meet their requirements while doing a lot with small budgets and limited time.

    “[As a teacher] I constantly stress that my only goal is to help the child,” Danielle said. “I try to imagine what I would want someone to say if speaking to my child. ”We want to be attentive to your child and give them as much help as we can, but we often have over 33 students in one class and teach three or more sections. That’s 99 kids!”

    Sometimes, certain personalities just do not mesh. But at the end of the day, teachers are no different than you. They have to get up, go to work, take care of their families and also enjoy their free time outside of the classroom. The best thing you can do for your child is to work together as a team.

    Source link

  • Mexico’s Jewish president calls on Israel to end ‘genocide in Gaza’

    MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday called Israel’s siege on the Gaza Strip a “genocide,” marking a decisive shift in her government’s stance on the conflict — and putting it at odds with the United States.

    Sheinbaum, who is one of a handful Jewish heads of state, has come under increasing pressure from members of her leftist coalition to more forcefully condemn Israel’s assault on the small Palestinian enclave, where at least 65,000 people have died and more than half a million are trapped in famine.

    Speaking to journalists at her daily news conference, Sheinbaum said Mexico stands “with the international community to stop this genocide in Gaza.”

    Claudia Sheinbaum, 63, is the first Jewish leader of Mexico, a nation that is overwhelmingly Catholic.

    Her comments came amid a meeting in New York of the United Nations General Assembly, where several countries, including France, Britain, Canada and Australia, have formally recognized Palestine as a state. Mexico has formally supported Palestinian statehood for years.

    Sheinbaum, 63, is the first Jewish leader of Mexico, a nation that is overwhelmingly Catholic. She grew up in a secular household and rarely talks about her Jewish identity.

    Sheinbaum, who entered politics from the world of leftist activism, has long supported the Palestinian cause. In 2009, she wrote a letter to Mexican newspaper La Jornada fiercely condemning Israel’s actions in an earlier war with Gaza, where 13 Israelis and more than 1,000 Palestinian civilians and militants had been killed.

    Sheinbaum evoked the Holocaust, saying “many of my relatives … were exterminated in concentration camps.”

    “I can only watch with horror the images of the Israeli bombing of Gaza,” she wrote. “Nothing justifies the murder of Palestinian civilians. Nothing, nothing, nothing, can justify the murder of a child.”

    The latest conflict broke out in 2023 after Hamas fighters broke through a border fence encircling Gaza and killed more than 1,000 Israelis, most of them civilians.

    Israel responded with a punishing assault on Gaza from air, land and sea, displacing nearly all of the strip’s 2 million people and damaging or destroying 90% of homes.

    Since taking office last year, Sheinbaum has repeatedly called for a cease-fire and reiterated Mexico’s support for a two-state solution in the region, but until Monday she had refrained from categorizing what is unfolding in Gaza as a genocide.

    That was possibly to avert conflict with the United States, which has given more foreign assistance to Israel than any other country globally in the decades since World War II, and which has supported the war on Gaza with billions of dollars in weapons and other military aid.

    Sheinbaum, whose nation’s economy depends heavily on trade with the U.S., has spent much of her first year in office seeking to appease President Trump on the issues of security and migration in order to avoid the worst of his threatened tariffs on Mexican imports.

    Her comments on Gaza come amid growing global consensus that Israel is committing genocide.

    The world’s leading association of genocide scholars has declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

    The International Assn. of Genocide Scholars recently passed a resolution that says Israel’s conduct meets the legal definition as spelled out in the United Nations convention on genocide.

    And this month, a U.N. commission of inquiry also found Israel has committed genocide.

    An Israeli flag

    An Israeli flag waves over debris in an area of the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel last month. Israel’s assault on the Palestinian enclave has killed at least 65,000 people.

    (Maya Levin / Associated Press)

    “Explicit statements by Israeli civilian and military authorities and the pattern of conduct of the Israeli security forces indicate that the genocidal acts were committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as a group,” the commission wrote.

    It added that under the Genocide Convention, other nations have an obligation to “prevent and punish the crime of genocide.”

    Israeli officials dismissed the report as “baseless.”

    Kate Linthicum

    Source link

  • 10 Communication Exercises for Couples to Have Better Relationships

    Brief Overview

    Communication is the heartbeat of any relationship, yet is often elusive amidst life’s hustle. By recognizing barriers—like different communication styles and the impact of mental health—couples can begin to transform misunderstandings with empathy. Exercises such as active listening and expressing needs clearly foster deeper connections. Structuring safe spaces for dialogue and exploring interactive techniques further enhance emotional intimacy and understanding, paving the way for healthier communication and a thriving partnership. Use  these exercises to nurture love, one conversation at a time, 

    Key Highlights

    • Communication exercises for couples to enhance connection by focusing on empathy and understanding, crucial for healthy relationships.
    • Recognizing barriers like listening failures and communication style differences helps prevent misunderstandings.
    • Addressing misunderstandings with empathy involves gaining a deeper understanding of your partner and appreciating their perspective.
    • Regular communication practice builds stronger bonds and cultivates empathy, enriching relationship dynamics.
    • Interactive techniques turning toward and active listening build trust and understanding.

    Understanding Communication Issues in Relationships

    Communication issues in relationships are more common than you’d think, often leaving partners feeling disconnected or misunderstood. It’s essential to recognize these barriers and address them with effective communication techniques. Our research shows that understanding the underlying causes of communication breakdowns is the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling partnership. Let’s explore some common barriers and how to overcome them.

    Communication Barrier

    Impact on Relationship

    Underlying Cause

    Resolution Strategy

    Empathy Role

    Lack of Active Listening

    Misunderstandings and resentment

    Distraction, multitasking,  flooding

    Practice focused listening; use the “speaker-listener” technique

    Shows understanding and care; partners feel heard

    Defensive Responses

    Escalated conflicts, gridlock

    Feeling attacked, insecure, or unvalidated

    Replace with “I” statements and take responsibility

    Validates feelings and reduces escalation

    Assumptions

    Breakdown of trust, misinterpretation

    Past experiences, biases, unspoken expectations

    Clarify and confirm facts; ask open-ended questions

    Encourages open dialogue and builds safety

    Withdrawing

    Emotional disconnection, loneliness

    Overwhelm, avoidance of conflict, shutting down

    Pause, self-soothe, re-engage in calm discussions

    Fosters connection and reassurance

    Criticism

    Reduced self-esteem, emotional distance

    Stress, frustration, unmet needs

    Express your feelings using gentle start-up and state a positive need.

    Enhances mutual respect and nurtures closeness

    Recognizing Common Barriers in Couples

    Each person brings their own communication style to the relationship based on how they grew up and their life experiences. For instance, one partner might prefer to discuss issues head-on, while the other might need time to process before talking. Identifying these differences and adapting accordingly can prevent misunderstandings that often escalate into arguments. It’s important to recognize that it’s not just about talking but understanding how each partner communicates. Often, therapy can help to  illuminate these differences and bridge the communication gap, thus reinforcing a healthy communication foundation in your relationship.

    What Causes Communication Barriers?

    The influence of individual mental health cannot be underestimated either. Issues like anxiety or depression can skew perceptions and communication, leading to barriers that might seem unsolvable. Addressing these challenges often requires patience and empathy. Both partners must work together as listeners, ensuring a supportive environment where mental health is a priority. Keeping lines of communication open and being attuned to each other’s mental health needs can cultivate trust and reduce these barriers over time.

    There is also the role of external influences, whether it’s work stress or the demands of family life. These factors often become inadvertent barriers to communication as partners take out their frustrations unwittingly on each other. This takes us to our first Couples Communication Exercise- the Stress Reducing Conversation. 

    Stress Reducing Conversation

    A very important routine for happy and successful couples is having a daily stress reducing conversation. Dr. John Gottman adapted this concept from research that showed that couples who are able to manage external stress have better outcomes. This is a key protective factor for couples and should be built into your daily routine. Here are some of the key components of a stress reducing conversation:

    • Talk about something external to the relationship (e.g. work, traffic, dealing with the insurance company)
    • Take your partner’s side 
    • Listen to understand not to give advice
    • Communicate a ‘we-ness’ about this issue (you’re on the same team)

    The Importance of Couples Communication Exercises

    We all know that feeling when communication in our relationships just falls flat, and it can be disheartening. However, relationship communication exercises provide a gateway to profound connection and understanding between partners. Research suggests that engaging in regular communication exercises not only boosts relationship satisfaction but also strengthens the emotional bond between couples. By carving out time to consciously practice healthy couples communication, partners create a resilient foundation that can withstand life’s inevitable pressures. 

    • Practice active listening by giving full attention and acknowledging your partner’s feelings without interruption.
    • Reflect back on what you hear to ensure clarity and show understanding of their perspective.
    • Use “I” statements to express your feelings, which helps avoid sounding accusatory.
    • Avoid assumptions by asking open-ended questions to uncover deeper understanding.
    • Be patient and allow time for the other person to articulate their thoughts.
    • Take a time out if either of your become flooded
    • Deepen/Maintain a strong friendship using the Love Maps tool
    • Schedule time to have regular check-ins
    • Stress Reducing Conversation
    • Validate your partner’s emotions regardless of whether you agree or disagree

    Why Regular Practice Strengthens Bonds

    Regular communication exercises also act as a buffer against the pressures of life that can strain even the strongest relationships. When couples routinely engage in practices that enhance their communication skills, they better equip themselves to handle conflicts constructively. It’s a proactive approach to maintaining the health of the relationship.  This doesn’t mean that challenges won’t arise, but when they do, the foundation you’ve built through regular practice ensures you’re better equipped to navigate them together.

    These couples communication exercises serve to normalize healthy dialogues, making them a staple rather than an exception within the relationship. If you are parents, you are setting a great example for your children by integrating these dynamics into your relationship. The benefits extend beyond the couple and family, enhancing communication in other areas of life as well. This ripple effect serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of healthy communication.

    Creating a Safe Space for Open Dialogue

    The essence of a safe space lies in fostering an environment where partners feel seen, heard, and validated without fear of judgment. Healthy couples communication necessitates such spaces, which allow for the honest exchange of thoughts and emotions without the shadow of misinterpretation or defensiveness. Achieving this begins with mutual respect, an unspoken agreement that encourages each partner to express themselves freely while listening empathetically to their counterpart. Small, consistent steps foster openness, turning even the most guarded interactions into profound exchanges.

    Cultivating a safe space also involves recognizing and addressing one’s own communication patterns that may inadvertently hinder open dialogue. Intentional reflection and engagement in communication exercises can identify such patterns, fostering an environment that prioritizes openness and emotional safety. As partners collaborate to dismantle barriers, their interactions evolve, becoming a shared realm where empathy thrives, clarity prevails, and every conversation becomes an opportunity to reinforce the invaluable connection they cherish.

    Developing Effective Communication Skills

    Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful partnership, creating pathways to deeper connection and understanding. As we’ve explored the importance of recognizing barriers and embracing empathy, it’s essential to move towards developing these skills further. Two pivotal aspects in cultivating healthy communication with your partner are having effective listening skills and expressing your needs clearly. These components help create an environment conducive to open dialogue, enhancing both relationship satisfaction and mental health. Let’s delve into these skills, understanding how they can transform your interactions,

    Effective Listening Skills

    Remember, developing effective listening skills takes time and practice. It requires a conscious effort to cultivate, but the impact on your relationship, and your own mental health, is profound. As you embrace active listening, you will notice an improvement in how conflicts are managed and how effortlessly understanding flows between you and your partner, making your connection richer and more resilient. It’s a skill worth investing in, transforming everyday conversations into nourishing interactions that bring you both closer.

    Expressing Needs Clearly and Constructively

    While listening actively is crucial, it’s equally important to communicate your own needs clearly and constructively. In many relationships, unmet expectations often stem from unclear communication rather than intentional disregard. We all know that feeling when hinting doesn’t work, but saying directly how you feel seems daunting. Expressing needs requires courage and clarity, transforming assumptions into understandable messages.

    The journey to effective communication involves breaking the habit of assuming your partner understands your needs without clear expression. Start by using “I” statements, this shifts the focus from blame or accusation, inviting open dialogue instead. For example, instead of saying “You never listen to me,” you could express, “I feel unheard when…” This subtle change reduces defensiveness, fostering an atmosphere where partners feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment.

    Conveying what you desire in specific, positive language helps your partner consider practical ways to meet those needs. When each person feels understood and valued, communication flourishes, contributing to the overall health and satisfaction of the relationship.

    Communication Exercises for Couples

    Improving communication in relationships often demands more than just talking; it takes effort, patience, and engaging activities that foster connection. These exercises are not just simple practices, but thoughtful tools facilitating better understanding and empathy between partners. When partners consistently work on their communication skills through these methods, they develop powerful tools to nurture their bond. The journey through these communication exercises involves interactive techniques, invaluable in buffering relationships against anxiety and misunderstandings. Let’s delve into the world of interactive techniques designed to enhance emotional connection and psychological insights in couples.

    Technique

    Purpose

    Benefits

    Outcome

    Active Listening

    Give full attention and acknowledge feelings without interrupting

    Creates empathy, reduces miscommunication

    Stronger emotional bond and deeper trust

    Reflective Dialogue

    Reflect back what you hear for clarity and understanding

    Demonstrates validation, minimizes misinterpretation

    Shared perspective and increased emotional intimacy

    Use of “I” Statements

    Express personal feelings without blame or accusation

    Reduces defensiveness, promotes accountability

    More respectful and effective communication

    Open-Ended Questions

    Avoid assumptions by inviting fuller explanations

    Encourages deeper sharing and discovery of hidden concerns

    Greater understanding of each other’s inner world

    Time-Out Strategy

    Pause during emotional flooding to regain composure

    Prevents escalation, allows emotional regulation

    Healthier conflict resolution and improved self-control

    Love Maps (Friendship Foundation)

    Deepen or maintain strong friendship by knowing your partner’s inner world

    Builds closeness, affection, and emotional connection

    A resilient friendship base that supports long-term relationship satisfaction

    Regular Check-Ins

    Schedule consistent times to talk about the relationship and life stressors

    Keeps communication open and proactive

    Stronger alignment, reduced resentment, and ongoing emotional support

    Stress-Reducing Conversation

    Share and listen to external stressors with empathy

    Keeps outside stress from spilling into the relationship

    A “we-against-the-world” mindset, stronger partnership under stress

    Emotion Validation

    Acknowledge your partner’s feelings even if you disagree

    Provides comfort, reduces defensiveness

    A safe environment for emotional expression and stronger intimacy

    Turning Toward

    Respond positively to your partner’s bids for attention or connection

    Builds trust, affection, and emotional responsiveness

    Increased sense of closeness, reduced loneliness, and stronger friendship

    This table of 10 couples communication exercises for a better relationship serves as a roadmap to improving communication in concrete and practical ways.

    Incorporating these exercises into your relationship is a vital step towards deeper understanding and connection.  Remember, it’s normal to face challenges, but with dedication and openness to growth, you can build stronger bonds. Embrace each opportunity to listen, share, and thrive together. Use this guide to illuminate the path toward a relationship characterized by empathy, understanding, and warmth, a path that, ultimately, leads to a more fulfilling relationship and life together.

    The Gottman Institute

    Source link

  • Should I Stay or Should I Go? When Is the Right Time to Seek Divorce

    Why Do Couples Divorce?

    Soft vs. Hard Reasons

    There are several commonly reported contributors to divorce. Research reported in the Journal of Divorce and Remarriage distinguishes between “soft” reasons –  not being able to talk to each other, high levels of conflict and arguing, feeling lonely within the relationship – and ‘“hard” reasons such as abuse, addiction and infidelity.  Despite what you may think, the big dealbreaker issues are not the most common causes. All too often the couples report a variation of the soft theme of  “we just grew apart”.  Another study looked at the role of perceived happiness and beliefs about romantic love in the divorce decision making process. The ephemeral concept of being “in love” versus feeling more general love for a partner influences respondents’ attitudes toward the possibility of divorce in the future, as does whether a person believes it is important to work at both love and happiness within a relationship.

    The Blame Game

    Not surprisingly, most of the people surveyed blamed their spouse for the divorce, not themselves. Now think about that. If I feel like I’ve “fallen out of love” with my partner and I believe this means we are not compatible and that my happiness lies elsewhere, I may end a relationship and suffer the often devastating consequences.

    What if, instead of taking this unexamined path, I were to learn that relationship fluctuations are natural and expected, that the bloom for lust and love do settle down, and that communication can be learned and the distance between us can be bridged? This is what I teach in my 12-week Become Passion couples program. Many of my couples tell me that they were filing for divorce and took my program as a last chance effort – and that they were shocked to realize how little they knew about the predictors of divorce and the prescription for long term relationship health. 

    Impact of Divorce

    Anyone who has been through a divorce or breakup of any committed romantic relationship knows the aftermath is rough. There is plenty of research detailing the dire effects of divorce, but all you really need to do is look at your friends and your own history. 

    There can be significant negative impacts on everything from physical and mental health to finances to the effect on your children, family and social circle and much more. While few people leave a major relationship lightly, too many may do it for the wrong reasons, or for reasons that are valid but can be changed.

    Now to be clear, sometimes a divorce is a wise solution to relationship troubles. I have no philosophical, moral, spiritual or clinical reason to be opposed to divorce – I myself was divorced two short years after the Mamma Mia wedding. But before you make a final decision, make sure to evaluate your motivations and consider the possibility that the two of you can create a more healthy and happy relationship together. This evaluation is very helpful whether or not or choose to stay or go, because clarity can help with your healing either way.

    Signs You Are in Trouble – But Change is Possible  

    Poor Communication

    No matter how hard you try, it feels like every conversation turns into an argument. You are walking on eggshells or, in Gottman terms, are caught in negative sentiment override. There is a lot of criticism and the other horsemen have taken up residence in your living room. When you do have a more reasonable discussion it feels like your partner doesn’t understand you, which leaves you feeling frustrated and alone.

    Loss of Connection

    You are living separate lives, stuck in what I call Marriage Inc. – where you run your household and family like a business but there is little or no “us”, just joint CEO’s making sure the mortgage gets paid and the kids get to school on time. There is little or no emotional connection, cuddling, or sexuality. It’s the dreaded “roommates  not lovers”. 

    Trust Betrayal

    Whether your trust has been betrayed by a big event like infidelity or discovering your partner has spent all of your carefully accumulated savings behind your back, or trust has been slowly worn down by a cumulation of broken promises, lack of trust is a major problem that must be addressed.

    If You’re Thinking of Leaving

    You probably ask yourself questions like: 

    “Should I get a divorce?”

    “How can I get emotional clarity about whether to stay or go?”

    “When is it time to let go of my relationship?”

    The Cycle of Thoughts and Emotions

    Perhaps you’ve been unhappy in your relationship for a long time. Maybe you feel like you are the only one lobbying for more. You don’t know whether to stay or go. You dream about future happiness, yet you know the emotional, financial and family toll that usually follows in the wake of divorce. This state of psychological ambivalence – feeling both pulled to stay AND pulled to leave – is extremely uncomfortable. Spending endless hours in a paralyzing cycle of pros and cons, fear and hope, doubt and temporary certainty is emotionally exhausting.

    You want to get away from this person you believe doesn’t give you what you desire, this person who disappoints you, takes you for granted, and frankly annoys or angers you on a daily basis. You don’t like who you’ve become – critical, negative, clingy and demanding. All too often it feels like the right decision is to leave.

    And yet…despite all these factors, leaving your relationship may not be the solution. It might surprise you to learn that the outcome does not always deliver the results you hope for. It is difficult to accurately quantify the percentage of partners who regret leaving a marriage, but a number of research surveys and studies indicate between 30-50% of respondents they feel they made a mistake and wish they’d tried harder to work things out. Why might that be?

    Regret

    For an interesting perspective on why so many people regret the decision to divorce we can look at the work of happiness researcher and Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert. After all, when we think about filing for divorce, we are at heart looking for a way to escape from unhappiness. We believe there are more negatives than positives in this relationship. We fantasize about a better future where we are either happy alone or are happy in a new, better, relationship (with a new, better person than the one we are with now).

    However, as Gilbert points out, we humans are lousy at predicting our future happiness. We imagine the future WILL be better than this, but we have no data and no way to know if that will be so. This sort of “future happiness bias” can lead us to make a major, life changing decision based on no real evidence. 

    Of course that doesn’t mean you should stay in an untenable situation. But given the regrets expressed by a significant percentage of divorced people – don’t rush into it. Consider the decision carefully and mindfully. It’s not as simple as getting rid of the person who you believe is causing your misery.  In my career, I’ve seen too many divorced individuals who left a marriage prematurely and unnecessarily – creating a permanent and devastating solution for a potentially temporary albeit very painful situation. I also see hundreds of couples each year that make major improvements by simply doing the work and getting the knowledge they need.

    How to Re-Evaluate

    If things are not going well, think about these questions:

    • Are you in a temporary crisis that may change? Will you feel differently when these feelings settle or are you certain this is the end of your relationship?
    • What are the best and worst things you feel will happen if you do stay together?
    • What are the best and worst things you feel will happen if you divorce?
    • What part do you play in the unhappiness of this marriage? Do you focus on making time for each other, planning romance, creating time for conversations? Are YOU being a great partner?
    • Are you willing to seek professional help? Will your partner participate? If they will not, are you willing to seek help on your own to facilitate the possibility that you can learn to approach them in a manner that engages them in the relationship process?

    Next Steps

    In two words? Get Help. You need to be able to understand your issues, explore the causes, work on communication and connection, and strengthen what I call your Passion Triangle –  three key areas couples need to strengthen if they want a great relationship. You can take my free starter course to learn more about these. By actively working on these three areas, couples can build a stronger foundation for their relationship and significantly reduce the risk of divorce.

    Take time. Slow down. You are likely in a stress crisis that may – or may not – be temporary. Because psychological ambivalence is so painful you may be tempted to resolve this ambivalence by making a firm decision. I encourage you to stay in the discomfort for a while longer while you evaluate your unique situation.

    Take into account that people regret their decisions and future happiness is not guaranteed and there is significant clinical evidence that deeply troubled relationships can recover. Our perceptions are not always reality. Sometimes a temporary separation can help.  That’s what Howard and Karen – the couple I speak about in the video – did. They used the time apart to get professional help, then to take my program and learn what they simply didn’t know. Today they are happier than they’ve been in decades, going on wonderful trips to Europe, joining me and the other couples from my programs in Mexico for a fabulous workshop and couples celebration this year, planning surprises for each other and generally living their life to the fullest. 

    That’s a huge improvement from throwing your wedding crowns into the sea.

    Cheryl Fraser

    Source link

  • The Power of Sincerity – And How to Stop Hiding Behind Sarcasm and Irony

    The Power of Sincerity – And How to Stop Hiding Behind Sarcasm and Irony

    Modern culture has become dominated by sarcasm, irony, and carefully crafted personas. Sincerity and earnestness have become rare, but still powerful forces. Discover how embracing these qualities can transform personal relationships, enrich public discourse, and inspire acts of genuine heroism.

    Sincerity is one of the most important yet under-appreciated traits in today’s world. It’s the simple ability to be open and honest about your thoughts, beliefs, and intentions, without needing to play games, try to manipulate, or retreat to humor or sarcasm when conversations get tough.

    First and foremost, sincerity requires you to be honest with yourself and what really matters to you. It means you believe in something, and you are willing to speak and act on that conviction even if it makes you unpopular or unlikable. People will often see you as being genuine and authentic if you stand up for what you believe in, especially when it comes with social costs.

    Philosopher Thomas Carlyle emphasized the importance of “sincerity” and identified it as one of the universal threads behind all types of heroes, including writers, political leaders, and religious figures. For Carlyle, heroes don’t just preach or philosophize; they embody their beliefs in every action, making them prime examples of what true conviction looks like. They morally refuse to run, hide, or cower in the face of opposition, even when their very lives are at stake.

    Sincerity stands out sharply in our current environment, especially on the internet and social media where we are exposed to countless manufactured images and personas, driven by a general pattern of cultural narcissism and “fake it ’till you make it” philosophies. People believe as long as they can appear “happy” and “successful” on social media then it will become a reality in their actual lives. Lies, distortions, and deception are the modus operandi in today’s online world, you see it almost everywhere.

    The scary truth for most people is that sincerity makes you vulnerable and open to criticism. It invites others to judge you for who you are and what you really believe in. Negative feedback comes with the territory, and it will hurt because it will feel like a direct attack on you (and maybe it is). The alternative is to not be yourself – then you’ll never be attacked for who you are. That sounds safe and comfortable, but it’s also a form of quiet surrender.

    Hiding Behind Sarcasm

    One common way people protect themselves from this vulnerability is by being sarcastic or ironic in how they present themselves and their views.

    Sarcasm and irony can become convenient cop-outs when you are confronted with opposition or pushback from others. Instead of staking your ground and defending your beliefs, you can always fall back and tell people, “I was just joking,” or “I didn’t really mean that.”

    Nowadays it’s hard to tell what anyone really believes or doesn’t believe, which adds an extra layer of chaos and confusion in what is already a toxic environment for healthy dialogue.

    Sarcasm is a common defense mechanism in teens and young adults when confronted with a difficult or uncomfortable situation that they aren’t equipped to talk about. In the movie Inside Out 2 (which I wrote a recent article on here), the character Ennui – who represents disinterest and boredom – was a fun illustration of how sarcasm is used to deflect attention away from more serious situations or conversations that a person isn’t ready to tackle head-on.

    This is not uncharacteristic of the modern discourse we see in politics and culture, which is – at its core – childish, dishonest, and insincere. We are taught to not be too serious or care too much about the truth, but to focus on cheap wins, sensationalist headlines, silly memes, gotcha moments, snappy slogans, juicy scandals, and mean-spirited insults, trolling, and harassment. We are focused not on what is true, but what makes us “look good” or “feel good.”

    In theory, the goal of a healthy debate is to share different perspectives, exchange information, test out your ideas, provide facts and evidence to support your position, and come to some common ground or understanding of differences. None of this is happening in today’s intellectual environment.

    Sarcasm is just one way we avoid and shutdown these honest and difficult conversations. It can be a roadblock to understanding in both personal relationships and broader social and political issues.

    Of course sarcasm has its place as a vehicle for humor. It can be especially effective when you are responding to someone who is insulting you, or trolling you, or is acting in bad faith and isn’t interested in a sincere conversation from the start.

    At the same time, we need to try to give people the benefit of the doubt and at least try to have good faith conversations whenever possible. Without sincerity, there is no real path forward – only more conflict and hostilities.

    Sincerity as the Mark of Heroes

    As mentioned before, the philosopher and historian Thomas Carlyle identified “sincerity” as one of the universal threads behind all types of heroes, whether they be writers, philosophers, religious leaders, or political leaders.

    In his work On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and The Heroic in History, Carlyle champions figures like Martin Luther, the religious reformer who famously nailed his “95 Theses” to the church door, fully aware that it could bring him condemnation and peril. Luther challenged the powerful Catholic Church, especially its practice of selling indulgences, making his public protest an act of great personal risk. This unwavering belief in his cause, despite threats from powerful institutions, is a prime example of sincerity in action.

    Similarly, Carlyle held Oliver Cromwell, the military and political leader of the English Civil War, in high regard for his conviction and honesty. Cromwell was often criticized for his decisions, yet he remained steadfast in his mission to reshape England according to his moral and religious beliefs. Carlyle saw Cromwell’s sincerity as his defining characteristic, even if it made him deeply unpopular.

    Another chapter is dedicated to the prophet Muhammad. For over a decade, Muhammad faced ridicule, persecution, and exile for preaching his monotheistic beliefs in a society dominated by polytheism. Despite immense personal hardship, including the loss of family and status, Muhammad never wavered or compromised his beliefs, showing an unshakable faith in the truth of his message. As Carlyle writes:

      “A silent great soul; he was one of those who cannot but be in earnest; whom Nature herself has appointed to be sincere. While others walk in formulas and hearsays, contented enough to dwell there, this man could not screen himself in formulas; he was alone with his own soul and the reality of things. The great mystery of Existence, as I said, glared in upon him, with its terrors, with its splendors; no hearsays could hide that unspeakable fact, ‘Here am I!’; Such sincerity, as we named it, has in very truth something of divine. The word of such a man is a voice direct from Nature’s own heart. Men do and must listen to that as to nothing else;—all else is wind in comparison.”

    Regardless of how you feel about these historical figures, you can’t deny that they were sincere in their intentions and lived according to their values and convictions. These figures, according to Carlyle, demonstrate that heroes are people who not only believe in what they do but live and act upon that belief with wholehearted consistency, even in the face of tremendous personal and social costs.

    Sincerity remains a rare force for truth and change, and we need it now more than ever.


    Enter your email to stay updated on new articles in self improvement:

    Steven Handel

    Source link

  • Priest shot dead in southern Mexico after leaving Sunday service

    Priest shot dead in southern Mexico after leaving Sunday service

    Community remembers Marcelo Perez as outspoken champion of Indigenous, labour rights in Mexican state of Chiapas.

    A priest known for his activism in defence of Indigenous and labour rights in Mexico has been killed after leaving church services, local authorities said.

    Catholic priest Marcelo Perez was returning home from church on Sunday when two men on a motorcycle pulled alongside his vehicle and shot him, prosecutors in the southern state of Chiapas said.

    “Father Marcelo has been a symbol of resistance and has stood alongside the communities of Chiapas for decades, defending the dignity and rights of the people and working toward true peace,” the Jesuits, Perez’s religious order, said in a statement.

    The killing comes amid a period of heightened violence in the southern state, which recorded about 500 murders between January and August this year.

    Along with the rights of Indigenous people and farmworkers, the Jesuits said Perez was also a vocal critic of organised criminal groups.

    “This region doesn’t just suffer from murders, but also forced recruitment (into criminal groups), kidnappings, threats and ransacking of its natural resources,” the religious order said.

    Mexican human rights activists and environmental defenders have long condemned violent harassment and intimidation by criminal groups and state security forces.

    Perez was himself a member of the Tzotzil Indigenous peoples and had served the community in Chiapas for two decades, developing a reputation as someone who could help settle disputes, especially over land.

    “We will collaborate with all the authorities so his death doesn’t go unpunished and those guilty face the courts,” Chipas Governor Rutilio Escandon said in a social media post, calling the assassination “cowardly”.

    But in Mexico, accountability for murder is the exception rather than the rule, with about 95 percent of all homicides going unsolved.

    Rights activists and Indigenous land defenders face high levels of violence and intimidation in Mexico.

    A 2023 Amnesty International report found that those groups face high levels of criminalisation and persecution as part of a “broader strategy of disincentivizing and dismantling advocacy for land, territorial and environmental rights”.

    The rights group also said Mexico “ranks among the countries with the highest number of murders of environmental defenders”.

    On Sunday, the United Nations human rights office in Mexico said “several national and international organizations had publicly warned about the growing number of threats, attacks and acts of criminalization against” Perez, the priest.

    It said those threats “have intensified in recent years due to his tireless work in favor of justice and the rights of Indigenous peoples”.

    Source link

  • Rare Israeli strike in central Beirut kills 7 as troops battle Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

    Rare Israeli strike in central Beirut kills 7 as troops battle Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

    BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike on an apartment in central Beirut killed seven Hezbollah-affiliated civilian first responders. Israel has been pounding areas of the country where the militant group has a strong presence since late September, but has rarely struck in the heart of the capital.

    There was no warning before the strike late Wednesday, which hit an apartment in central Beirut not far from the United Nations headquarters, the prime minister’s office and parliament. Hezbollah’s civil defense unit said seven of its members were killed.

    The strike came after at least eight Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where Israel announced the start of what it says is a limited ground incursion earlier this week. The region was meanwhile bracing for Israeli retaliation following an Iranian ballistic missile attack.

    Residents reported a sulfur-like smell following strike in Beirut, and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency accused Israel of using phosphorous bombs, without providing evidence. Human rights groups have in the past accused Israel of using white phosphorus incendiary shells on towns and villages in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Hezbollah has an armed wing with tens of thousands of fighters but it also has a political movement and a network of charities staffed by civilians.

    In a separate development, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they had launched two drones at Tel Aviv overnight. The military said it identified two drones off the coast of the bustling metropolitan area, shooting one of them down while the other fell in the Mediterranean Sea.

    The escalating violence in Lebanon has opened a second front in the war between Israel and Iran-backed militants that began nearly a year ago with Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

    The Israeli military said Thursday that it killed a senior Hamas leader in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip around three months ago. It said that a strike on an underground compound in northern Gaza killed Rawhi Mushtaha and two other Hamas commanders.

    There was no immediate comment from Hamas. Mushtaha was a close associate of Yahya Sinwar, the top leader of Hamas who helped mastermind the Oct. 7 attack. Sinwar is believed to be alive and in hiding inside Gaza.

    In recent weeks, Israelis strikes in Lebanon have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several of his top commanders. Hundreds more airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon since mid-September have killed at least 1,276 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

    The Israeli military said Thursday that it had struck around 200 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including weapons storage facilities and observation posts. It said the strikes killed at least 15 Hezbollah fighters. There was no independent confirmation.

    Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, as Israel has warned people to evacuate from around 50 villages and towns in the south, telling them to relocate to areas that are around 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border and considerably farther north than a U.N.-declared buffer zone.

    Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah after nearly a year of rocket attacks that began on Oct. 8 and have displaced some 60,000 Israelis from communities in the north. Israel has carried out retaliatory strikes over the past year that have displaced tens of thousands on the Lebanese side.

    The vast majority of recent strikes have been in areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence, including the southern suburbs of Beirut known as the Dahiyeh. But Israel has also carried out strikes in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, and a strike in central Beirut earlier this week killed three Palestinian militants.

    Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis are part of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, which also includes armed groups in Syria and Iraq. They have launched attacks on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians, drawing retaliation in a cycle that has repeatedly threatened to set off a wider war.

    The region once again appears on the brink of such a conflict after Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday, which it said was a response to the killing of Nasrallah, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general who was with him, and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, who was killed in an explosion in Tehran in July that was widely blamed on Israel.

    Both Israel and the United States have said there will be severe consequences for the missile attack, which lightly wounded two people and killed a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank. The United States has rushed military assets to the region in support of Israel.

    ___

    Jeffery reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press staff writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Zeina Karam in London contributed to this report.

    Copyright © 2024 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

    AP

    Source link

  • Rare Israeli strike in central Beirut kills 7 as troops battle Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

    Rare Israeli strike in central Beirut kills 7 as troops battle Hezbollah in southern Lebanon

    BEIRUT — An Israeli airstrike on an apartment in central Beirut killed seven Hezbollah-affiliated civilian first responders. Israel has been pounding areas of the country where the militant group has a strong presence since late September, but has rarely struck in the heart of the capital.

    There was no warning before the strike late Wednesday, which hit an apartment in central Beirut not far from the United Nations headquarters, the prime minister’s office and parliament. Hezbollah’s civil defense unit said seven of its members were killed.

    The strike came after at least eight Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where Israel announced the start of what it says is a limited ground incursion earlier this week. The region was meanwhile bracing for Israeli retaliation following an Iranian ballistic missile attack.

    Residents reported a sulfur-like smell following strike in Beirut, and Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency accused Israel of using phosphorous bombs, without providing evidence. Human rights groups have in the past accused Israel of using white phosphorus incendiary shells on towns and villages in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Hezbollah has an armed wing with tens of thousands of fighters but it also has a political movement and a network of charities staffed by civilians.

    In a separate development, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they had launched two drones at Tel Aviv overnight. The military said it identified two drones off the coast of the bustling metropolitan area, shooting one of them down while the other fell in the Mediterranean Sea.

    The escalating violence in Lebanon has opened a second front in the war between Israel and Iran-backed militants that began nearly a year ago with Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

    The Israeli military said Thursday that it killed a senior Hamas leader in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip around three months ago. It said that a strike on an underground compound in northern Gaza killed Rawhi Mushtaha and two other Hamas commanders.

    There was no immediate comment from Hamas. Mushtaha was a close associate of Yahya Sinwar, the top leader of Hamas who helped mastermind the Oct. 7 attack. Sinwar is believed to be alive and in hiding inside Gaza.

    In recent weeks, Israelis strikes in Lebanon have killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and several of his top commanders. Hundreds more airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon since mid-September have killed at least 1,276 people, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.

    The Israeli military said Thursday that it had struck around 200 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, including weapons storage facilities and observation posts. It said the strikes killed at least 15 Hezbollah fighters. There was no independent confirmation.

    Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes, as Israel has warned people to evacuate from around 50 villages and towns in the south, telling them to relocate to areas that are around 60 kilometers (36 miles) from the border and considerably farther north than a U.N.-declared buffer zone.

    Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah after nearly a year of rocket attacks that began on Oct. 8 and have displaced some 60,000 Israelis from communities in the north. Israel has carried out retaliatory strikes over the past year that have displaced tens of thousands on the Lebanese side.

    The vast majority of recent strikes have been in areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence, including the southern suburbs of Beirut known as the Dahiyeh. But Israel has also carried out strikes in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, and a strike in central Beirut earlier this week killed three Palestinian militants.

    Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis are part of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, which also includes armed groups in Syria and Iraq. They have launched attacks on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians, drawing retaliation in a cycle that has repeatedly threatened to set off a wider war.

    The region once again appears on the brink of such a conflict after Iran’s missile attack on Tuesday, which it said was a response to the killing of Nasrallah, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard general who was with him, and Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, who was killed in an explosion in Tehran in July that was widely blamed on Israel.

    Both Israel and the United States have said there will be severe consequences for the missile attack, which lightly wounded two people and killed a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank. The United States has rushed military assets to the region in support of Israel.

    ___

    Jeffery reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press staff writers Abby Sewell in Beirut and Zeina Karam in London contributed to this report.

    Copyright © 2024 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

    AP

    Source link