Institute of Current World Affairs
@icwa.org
We advance American understanding of international cultures and affairs by sending young professionals abroad on two-year independent writing fellowships.
Pinned
Meet our fellows! And if you're a past or current fellow who has been left off this list, please request to be added 🧭 go.bsky.app/SsnQaBf
For ICWA's 100th anniversary, alumni @brynbarnardart.bsky.social, Kenneth Cavander, Jean-Benoît Nadeau & Roger Reynolds will discuss how art can bridge national & economic divides. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
November 11, 2025 at 10:15 AM
For ICWA's 100th anniversary, alumni @brynbarnardart.bsky.social, Kenneth Cavander, Jean-Benoît Nadeau & Roger Reynolds will discuss how art can bridge national & economic divides. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
Reposted by Institute of Current World Affairs
After a year+ living in the Norwegian Arctic (69°N) writing on an @icwa.org fellowship, I’ve finally joined friends on Substack.
For a view from the world’s fast-warming region, follow here:
open.substack.com/pub/brettvsi...
For a view from the world’s fast-warming region, follow here:
open.substack.com/pub/brettvsi...
Welcome to Stories from the Edge
A newsletter about Arctic people, politics, place.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
After a year+ living in the Norwegian Arctic (69°N) writing on an @icwa.org fellowship, I’ve finally joined friends on Substack.
For a view from the world’s fast-warming region, follow here:
open.substack.com/pub/brettvsi...
For a view from the world’s fast-warming region, follow here:
open.substack.com/pub/brettvsi...
The fight over mines & windmills in Norway has pitted environmental & Sami activists against the state & its renewable energy goals, becoming emblematic of a bizarre climate calculus in Norway’s race to “green” the north, @brettvsimpson.bsky.social reports from Kvalsund: www.icwa.org/norway-sami-...
The Norwegian paradox - ICWA
Indigenous Sami activists protest the Norwegian government's "green colonialism" at the Nussir copper mine, Brett Simpson reports from Norway.
www.icwa.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The fight over mines & windmills in Norway has pitted environmental & Sami activists against the state & its renewable energy goals, becoming emblematic of a bizarre climate calculus in Norway’s race to “green” the north, @brettvsimpson.bsky.social reports from Kvalsund: www.icwa.org/norway-sami-...
For ICWA's centenary, ICWA alumni Joseph Battat, Bacete Bwogo, William Foote & Joel Millman will discuss tariffs & anti-migration policies dominating the international agenda. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
For ICWA's centenary, ICWA alumni Joseph Battat, Bacete Bwogo, William Foote & Joel Millman will discuss tariffs & anti-migration policies dominating the international agenda. Open to the public. Register to join us on Nov 14 at @swedeninusa.bsky.social in DC: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
North Korea's active support of Russian aggression in Ukraine has prompted morbid curiosity about Pyongyang’s intentions, resources & prospects. Thae Yong-ho's memoir Passcode to the Third Floor has a lot to say about that, Dmitry Kharitonov writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/no-need-fo...
‘No need for a world without us’
Whatever happened to North Korea?
compass.icwa.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
North Korea's active support of Russian aggression in Ukraine has prompted morbid curiosity about Pyongyang’s intentions, resources & prospects. Thae Yong-ho's memoir Passcode to the Third Floor has a lot to say about that, Dmitry Kharitonov writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/no-need-fo...
Gang control is unfortunately here to stay, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Fortaleza, Brazil. Gang members outnumber the state's security forces two-to-one and offer young people a competitive salary to join. www.icwa.org/brazil-gangs...
Guns, scrubs and sunshine - ICWA
In Brazil, armed gangs are reshaping access to health care and social services, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports.
www.icwa.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Gang control is unfortunately here to stay, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Fortaleza, Brazil. Gang members outnumber the state's security forces two-to-one and offer young people a competitive salary to join. www.icwa.org/brazil-gangs...
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
November 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
Presenting Russia as a guardian of family and spiritual freedom is a form of spiritual phishing, Russian Orthodox priest Andrei Kordochkin writes for Compass. It asks American conservatives to lower their guard and become unwitting vectors of Russian soft power: compass.icwa.org/p/the-kremli...
The Kremlin’s spiritual phishing
Click on ‘traditional values’ and get kidnapping, torture, murder
compass.icwa.org
November 4, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Presenting Russia as a guardian of family and spiritual freedom is a form of spiritual phishing, Russian Orthodox priest Andrei Kordochkin writes for Compass. It asks American conservatives to lower their guard and become unwitting vectors of Russian soft power: compass.icwa.org/p/the-kremli...
For ICWA's centenary, ICWA alumni experts Eve Fairbanks, @katherineroth.bsky.social, Emily Schultheis & Andrew Tabler will discuss the new political realities & transforming global order. The event is hosted in partnership with @swedeninusa.bsky.social. Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
The World We Want to Live In
As ICWA marks its centenary, expert alumni discuss key challenges for democracy, the environment, economies and equitability, and culture.
www.eventbrite.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:25 AM
For ICWA's centenary, ICWA alumni experts Eve Fairbanks, @katherineroth.bsky.social, Emily Schultheis & Andrew Tabler will discuss the new political realities & transforming global order. The event is hosted in partnership with @swedeninusa.bsky.social. Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
After Norway’s September elections, feelings are mixed in the country’s north. Critics say the country doesn't seem to be taking Arctic security risks seriously enough, @brettvsimpson.bsky.social writes: icwa.org/norway-democ...
Is this the model democracy? - ICWA
At Arendal Week democracy festival, ICWA fellow Brett Simpson digs into the contradictions of Norway's oil-funded progressivism.
icwa.org
November 1, 2025 at 9:16 AM
After Norway’s September elections, feelings are mixed in the country’s north. Critics say the country doesn't seem to be taking Arctic security risks seriously enough, @brettvsimpson.bsky.social writes: icwa.org/norway-democ...
Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi & her cabinet have broad approval, seen as an all-star team at a pivotal time, ICWA trustee @katherineroth.bsky.social writes. For Japan, her qualifications are more important than this pioneering moment for women: compass.icwa.org/p/in-japan-s...
In Japan, slow but steady progress
Becoming the first female prime minister may be a milestone in other countries, for Japanese, her qualifications are more important.
compass.icwa.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi & her cabinet have broad approval, seen as an all-star team at a pivotal time, ICWA trustee @katherineroth.bsky.social writes. For Japan, her qualifications are more important than this pioneering moment for women: compass.icwa.org/p/in-japan-s...
A person’s neighborhood always affects one’s access to care, but that traditional barrier is much greater in Fortaleza, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Brazil. Armed gangs are limiting access to health care and social services. www.icwa.org/brazil-gangs...
Guns, scrubs and sunshine - ICWA
In Brazil, armed gangs are reshaping access to health care and social services, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports.
www.icwa.org
October 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM
A person’s neighborhood always affects one’s access to care, but that traditional barrier is much greater in Fortaleza, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Brazil. Armed gangs are limiting access to health care and social services. www.icwa.org/brazil-gangs...
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
October 28, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Join us at @hrc.org in Washington, DC on Nov 13, when returning David Mixner LGBTQ+ Fellow Edric Huang will deliver his end-of-fellowship talk about the role of LGBTQ+ rights in Taiwan’s democracy & what the movement says about the country. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-righ...
Although Norway's Arendal Week democracy festival attempts to break down the elitism of access politics, financial and professional heavyweights still dominate, ICWA fellow @brettvsimpson.bsky.social writes: icwa.org/norway-democ...
Is this the model democracy? - ICWA
At Arendal Week democracy festival, ICWA fellow Brett Simpson digs into the contradictions of Norway's oil-funded progressivism.
icwa.org
October 24, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Although Norway's Arendal Week democracy festival attempts to break down the elitism of access politics, financial and professional heavyweights still dominate, ICWA fellow @brettvsimpson.bsky.social writes: icwa.org/norway-democ...
In Fortaleza, Brazil, armed gangs are limiting access to health care and social services, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports. The region is home to three of the top 10 most violent municipalities in the country. www.icwa.org/brazil-gangs...
Guns, scrubs and sunshine - ICWA
In Brazil, armed gangs are reshaping access to health care and social services, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports.
www.icwa.org
October 23, 2025 at 9:19 PM
In Fortaleza, Brazil, armed gangs are limiting access to health care and social services, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports. The region is home to three of the top 10 most violent municipalities in the country. www.icwa.org/brazil-gangs...
To celebrate ICWA's 100th birthday, we're gathering alumni experts in Washington DC for a day of discussions on advancing democracy, a sustainable environment, equitability & culture at a pivotal moment in history. The event is open to the public. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
The World We Want to Live In
As ICWA marks its centenary, expert alumni discuss key challenges for democracy, the environment, economies and equitability, and culture.
www.eventbrite.com
October 22, 2025 at 5:07 PM
To celebrate ICWA's 100th birthday, we're gathering alumni experts in Washington DC for a day of discussions on advancing democracy, a sustainable environment, equitability & culture at a pivotal moment in history. The event is open to the public. Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/the-world-...
For Compass, former ICWA fellow @steventagle.com returns to the remote Greek island of Chios to savor the flavor & tradition of village cuisine at Evi Katsioni's O Cafenes tou Giorgi in the central square of medieval Pitios: compass.icwa.org/p/in-a-remot...
In a remote Greek village, fresh and vibrant local flavors
In Pitios, on the island of Chios, O Cafenes tou Giorgi draws from old tradition.
compass.icwa.org
October 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
For Compass, former ICWA fellow @steventagle.com returns to the remote Greek island of Chios to savor the flavor & tradition of village cuisine at Evi Katsioni's O Cafenes tou Giorgi in the central square of medieval Pitios: compass.icwa.org/p/in-a-remot...
"As long as scientists have been studying the Arctic, they’ve relied on the sure science of seafaring to get them there." Peter Bird Martin fellow @brettvsimpson.bsky.social reports from the Dana, a research vessel tracking climate change in the Arctic. www.icwa.org/arctic-ocean...
Twenty days at sea - ICWA
ICWA fellow Brett Simpson reports about three weeks aboard a research ship tracking climate change in the Arctic Ocean.
www.icwa.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:16 PM
"As long as scientists have been studying the Arctic, they’ve relied on the sure science of seafaring to get them there." Peter Bird Martin fellow @brettvsimpson.bsky.social reports from the Dana, a research vessel tracking climate change in the Arctic. www.icwa.org/arctic-ocean...
Reposted by Institute of Current World Affairs
NPR station photographer and New Orleans native Tyrone Turner travelled back to Louisiana to document the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Video: Echoes of Katrina - Two decades of struggle and strength
NPR station photographer and New Orleans native Tyrone Turner travelled back to Louisiana to document the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
n.pr
August 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
NPR station photographer and New Orleans native Tyrone Turner travelled back to Louisiana to document the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Executive director Greg Feifer @gregoryfeifer.bsky.social visits Peter Bird Martin Fellow Brett Simpson @brettvsimpson.bsky.social in Tromsø, Norway.
October 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Executive director Greg Feifer @gregoryfeifer.bsky.social visits Peter Bird Martin Fellow Brett Simpson @brettvsimpson.bsky.social in Tromsø, Norway.
In the face of adversity, the stories of those who risk everything for the sake of freedom and justice should inspire us to reaffirm our commitment and work tirelessly to protect and promote democracy in every corner of the globe, Suren Avanesyan writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/defending-...
Defending our ideals in the face of adversity
Democracy is about our rights.
compass.icwa.org
October 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
In the face of adversity, the stories of those who risk everything for the sake of freedom and justice should inspire us to reaffirm our commitment and work tirelessly to protect and promote democracy in every corner of the globe, Suren Avanesyan writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/defending-...
Is Norway the model democracy? ICWA fellow @brettvsimpson.bsky.social digs into the contradictions of the nation's oil-funded, pro-renewables progressivism: www.icwa.org/norway-democ...
Is this the model democracy? - ICWA
At Arendal Week democracy festival, ICWA fellow Brett Simpson digs into the contradictions of Norway's oil-funded progressivism.
www.icwa.org
October 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Is Norway the model democracy? ICWA fellow @brettvsimpson.bsky.social digs into the contradictions of the nation's oil-funded, pro-renewables progressivism: www.icwa.org/norway-democ...
At the height of the Vietnam War, ICWA fellow Takashi Oka reflects on the tumult he had witnessed in Saigon: people pushed to extremes and corruption that seemed to undermine every action in the South: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-re...
ICWA@100: Reflections on the Vietnam War
Takashi Oka on tumult and corruption in 1960s South Vietnam
compass.icwa.org
October 14, 2025 at 6:15 AM
At the height of the Vietnam War, ICWA fellow Takashi Oka reflects on the tumult he had witnessed in Saigon: people pushed to extremes and corruption that seemed to undermine every action in the South: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-re...
Agra, India - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/agra-india
Agra, India
Photo by Jennifer Katzka
compass.icwa.org
October 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Agra, India - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/agra-india
In 2001, Brazil established greater protections for people with mental & behavioral disorders, creating a legal framework for non-institutional forms of health care & establishing the Psychosocial Care Network, Rowland Robinson reports from Fortaleza: www.icwa.org/brazil-tangl...
An introduction to Brazil’s tangled drug policy - ICWA
ICWA Fellow Rowland Robinson reports on drug addiction policy in Brazil’s national health service, Sistema Único de Saude.
www.icwa.org
October 9, 2025 at 10:27 AM
In 2001, Brazil established greater protections for people with mental & behavioral disorders, creating a legal framework for non-institutional forms of health care & establishing the Psychosocial Care Network, Rowland Robinson reports from Fortaleza: www.icwa.org/brazil-tangl...