Mukesh Kapila
@mukeshkapila.bsky.social
Author and writer: Humanitarian, Human Rights, Development, War and Peace. Ex UN, WHO, Red Cross Red Crescent, UK Government. Professor Emeritus Univ of Manchester
It is luck if or not some desperate person in conflict or disaster somewhere receives help or not. But even a random lottery should be fair. So, how honest is the global humanitarian lottery? I talk frankly to Thomas Byrnes in my Fading Causes Podcast. Watch/listen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEsm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEsm...
EPISODE 17: How Honest is the Global Humanitarian Lottery? with Thomas Byrnes
YouTube video by The Fading Causes Podcast
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:23 PM
It is luck if or not some desperate person in conflict or disaster somewhere receives help or not. But even a random lottery should be fair. So, how honest is the global humanitarian lottery? I talk frankly to Thomas Byrnes in my Fading Causes Podcast. Watch/listen:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEsm...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEsm...
Adding more power hegemons to existing ones on broken #UN #SecurityCouncil may make it more representative but further entrench the new might-is-right world order, Hardly helpful for poor, small, struggling nations. My POV in panel debate on Al Jazeera Inside Story www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFM2...
Can the UN Security Council be reformed? | Inside Story
YouTube video by Al Jazeera English
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Adding more power hegemons to existing ones on broken #UN #SecurityCouncil may make it more representative but further entrench the new might-is-right world order, Hardly helpful for poor, small, struggling nations. My POV in panel debate on Al Jazeera Inside Story www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFM2...
“Sacrificed on the altar of vice": As the world fixes on the abuse of uncounted Epstein victims, most unlikely to get justice, this extraordinary interview with Gisele Pelicot speaking on her own horrors & putting shame where it belongs is a must watch. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMA5...
Gisèle Pelicot: The Newsnight Interview
YouTube video by BBC News
www.youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:12 PM
“Sacrificed on the altar of vice": As the world fixes on the abuse of uncounted Epstein victims, most unlikely to get justice, this extraordinary interview with Gisele Pelicot speaking on her own horrors & putting shame where it belongs is a must watch. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMA5...
Sudan was already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. it is now also the global famine capital. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zprr...
Sudan’s Humanitarian crisis expected to worsen in 2026
YouTube video by TRT World Now
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Sudan was already the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. it is now also the global famine capital. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zprr...
If you are damed if you do and damned if you dont, then what do you do? Well, you stay and deliver despite the risks - as MSF should do in Gaza. www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2026/01...
Médecins Sans Frontières decides not to give staff names to Israel after all
MSF is one of 37 organisations facing a ban for refusing to obey rules that critics say are aimed at silencing advocacy and manipulating the response.
www.thenewhumanitarian.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:40 PM
If you are damed if you do and damned if you dont, then what do you do? Well, you stay and deliver despite the risks - as MSF should do in Gaza. www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2026/01...
I very much agree with most of this article: The careless, casual, crafty way in which partisan politicians, thoughtless activists, and remunerated lawyers use term genocide means it has lost its meaning and purpose - to bring accountability, deter, and prevent egregious crimes against humanity
February 1, 2026 at 10:51 AM
I very much agree with most of this article: The careless, casual, crafty way in which partisan politicians, thoughtless activists, and remunerated lawyers use term genocide means it has lost its meaning and purpose - to bring accountability, deter, and prevent egregious crimes against humanity
Doing some research & struggling to find serious independent articles positive about Davos. Please suggest if you know. Meanwhile.. "dealmaking, not democracy at Davos www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/d...
The Time Has Come to Shutter the World Economic Forum
Katharina Pistor recounts how the annual Davos gathering has served as a platform for anti-democratic deal-making.
www.project-syndicate.org
January 25, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Doing some research & struggling to find serious independent articles positive about Davos. Please suggest if you know. Meanwhile.. "dealmaking, not democracy at Davos www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/d...
Look forward to talking to the UN University of Peace in Costa Rica later today on The Foretold Genocide(s) in Sudan and the failure of international law and Responsibility to Protect - and why this happens again and again in many places - and surprises us everytime it does
January 19, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Look forward to talking to the UN University of Peace in Costa Rica later today on The Foretold Genocide(s) in Sudan and the failure of international law and Responsibility to Protect - and why this happens again and again in many places - and surprises us everytime it does
Is democracy worth believing in let alone fighting and dying for? And even if so, is the majoritarian form it is most usually practiced and abused, not proving so toxic? Listen to my conversation with Francesc Badia in latest edition of my Fading Causes Podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUpi...
EPISODE 15: Is Democracy Still Worth Defending? with Francesc Badia Dalmases
YouTube video by The Fading Causes Podcast
www.youtube.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Is democracy worth believing in let alone fighting and dying for? And even if so, is the majoritarian form it is most usually practiced and abused, not proving so toxic? Listen to my conversation with Francesc Badia in latest edition of my Fading Causes Podcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUpi...
As the old international order vanishes o also does its accompanying international law. Without wasting too much time flogging dead horses, we should urgently debate new - perhaps very different - legal frameworks for our tough new era. My oped:
www.mukeshkapila.org/in-the-new-w...
www.mukeshkapila.org/in-the-new-w...
January 13, 2026 at 5:56 PM
As the old international order vanishes o also does its accompanying international law. Without wasting too much time flogging dead horses, we should urgently debate new - perhaps very different - legal frameworks for our tough new era. My oped:
www.mukeshkapila.org/in-the-new-w...
www.mukeshkapila.org/in-the-new-w...
Much a do about nothing as nothing changes with some new bums on seats at UN Security Council news.un.org/en/story/202...
Security Council: New faces, old tensions as five nations take their seats
From deploying peacekeepers to conducting quiet – but at times heated – diplomacy, the UN Security Council sits at the heart of global decision-making on war and peace. As of January, five new countri...
news.un.org
January 4, 2026 at 10:05 AM
Much a do about nothing as nothing changes with some new bums on seats at UN Security Council news.un.org/en/story/202...
Some of the world’s most desperate people - worthiness of whose needs even God cant judge but UN is happy to do - receive a New Year blessing of two billion humanitarian crumbs from US. Hope they grovel suitably.. or else..My initial thoughts via this TV interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6BZ...
UN to cut its global staff numbers by about 19% in 2026
YouTube video by TRT World Now
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Some of the world’s most desperate people - worthiness of whose needs even God cant judge but UN is happy to do - receive a New Year blessing of two billion humanitarian crumbs from US. Hope they grovel suitably.. or else..My initial thoughts via this TV interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6BZ...
Resistance and resilience through acts of love in #Sudan wellcomecollection.org/stories/acts...
Acts of love and resistance in Sudan
Growing up in Sudan, Jumana Eltgani knew the highs of water flowing and the lows of dry days. Her family’s clay zeer kept water cool and easy to share. Now, amid war, that spirit of generosity is keep...
wellcomecollection.org
December 29, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Resistance and resilience through acts of love in #Sudan wellcomecollection.org/stories/acts...
Women, men, children, old, young - none spared in #Sudan when it comes to rape and sexual torture. The heroes of this powerful docu speak courageously of their own experiences and challenge us to do something. In Arabic with English subtitles, MUST-WATCH
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFj5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFj5...
وثائقي | أرض الضحايا
YouTube video by عربي TRT
www.youtube.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Women, men, children, old, young - none spared in #Sudan when it comes to rape and sexual torture. The heroes of this powerful docu speak courageously of their own experiences and challenge us to do something. In Arabic with English subtitles, MUST-WATCH
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFj5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFj5...
Christianity has been reduced to a cultural tourist attraction in its original homeland aje.io/al1olr
Christmas under occupation: Israeli attacks against Palestinian Christians
Fewer than 50,000 Christians now live in Palestine under threat from Israel’s illegal occupation and attacks.
aje.io
December 26, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Christianity has been reduced to a cultural tourist attraction in its original homeland aje.io/al1olr
The year-end also marks end of first quarter-century of this Millennium. Global goal-setting (MDGs, SDGs) is failing as one prescription does not suit all nations. Why wait till 2030 to re-envision sustainable development strategies? My latest oped: www.mukeshkapila.org/a-quarter-ce...
December 22, 2025 at 9:32 AM
The year-end also marks end of first quarter-century of this Millennium. Global goal-setting (MDGs, SDGs) is failing as one prescription does not suit all nations. Why wait till 2030 to re-envision sustainable development strategies? My latest oped: www.mukeshkapila.org/a-quarter-ce...
It is not just the paramilitary RSF committing ethnic atrocities in Sudan but also the Sudan Armed Forces. Hardly surprising considering they were previous best buddies & jointly committing the 2003-4 Darfur genocide. Now they compete on atrocity stakes. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Investigation reveals campaign of ethnically motivated atrocities by Al Burhan’s troops in Sudan | The National
Satellite imagery, verified videos and testimonies indicate widespread abuses by SAF and allied Islamist-backed militias
www.thenationalnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:55 AM
It is not just the paramilitary RSF committing ethnic atrocities in Sudan but also the Sudan Armed Forces. Hardly surprising considering they were previous best buddies & jointly committing the 2003-4 Darfur genocide. Now they compete on atrocity stakes. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Sorry ro see Oxfam still mired in its own troubles.https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/15/oxfam-gb-chief-reportedly-forced-out-over-serious-issues-with-her-leadership?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Oxfam GB chief reportedly forced out over ‘serious issues’ with her leadership
Independent review into Dr Halima Begum’s conduct was prompted by at least 100 staff writing to trustees
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Sorry ro see Oxfam still mired in its own troubles.https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/dec/15/oxfam-gb-chief-reportedly-forced-out-over-serious-issues-with-her-leadership?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Is humanitarianism getting leaner, fitter for purpose? While principled & dealing robustly with dilemmas such as Taliban in Afghanistan or Rohingya and Myanmar dictators. Many other issues in revealing discussion with Alexander Matheou, Regional Director @ifrc.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af7y...
EPISODE 14: Is Modern Humanitarianism Keeping Fit For Purpose? with Alexander Matheou
YouTube video by The Fading Causes Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Is humanitarianism getting leaner, fitter for purpose? While principled & dealing robustly with dilemmas such as Taliban in Afghanistan or Rohingya and Myanmar dictators. Many other issues in revealing discussion with Alexander Matheou, Regional Director @ifrc.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af7y...
Peace is too big a goal in relation to many current wars. But shouldn’t discourage those trying incl President Trump to cool heads & forge ceasefires teven if these dont last. My reflections on American involvement in several conflicts via this TRT interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-bp...
President's self styled peace agenda faces mounting setbacks
YouTube video by TRT World Now
www.youtube.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Peace is too big a goal in relation to many current wars. But shouldn’t discourage those trying incl President Trump to cool heads & forge ceasefires teven if these dont last. My reflections on American involvement in several conflicts via this TRT interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-bp...
A potentially good choice: Former Iraqi president picked to lead UN Refugee Agency www.devex.com/news/exclusi...
Exclusive: Former Iraqi president picked to lead UN Refugee Agency
Barham Salih's appointment breaks the tradition of European leadership of the world's premier refugee outfit.
www.devex.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:11 PM
A potentially good choice: Former Iraqi president picked to lead UN Refugee Agency www.devex.com/news/exclusi...
Venezuelan icon Machado dedicates her Controversial Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/w...
A Controversial Nobel Peace Prize
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Venezuelan icon Machado dedicates her Controversial Nobel Peace Prize to Trump. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/10/w...
This is how terrorists win whetther in Kashmir or Middle East or North Africa - split families and destroy communities aje.io/pu2efq
‘What’s our fault?’: India’s expulsion of Pakistanis still splits families
After Pahalgam attack in April, India deported 800 Pakistanis. Children separated from parents still can't meet them.
aje.io
December 4, 2025 at 8:08 AM
This is how terrorists win whetther in Kashmir or Middle East or North Africa - split families and destroy communities aje.io/pu2efq
Colonialism was wrong & modern law rightly made it criminal but seeking historic reparations is just a way for current African leaders - many corrupt and even-more abusive of their own citizens - to draw attention away from their ongoing incompetences and worse. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
African leaders push for recognition of colonial crimes and reparations
Algerian foreign minister says African countries and peoples continue to pay a heavy price for colonialism
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Colonialism was wrong & modern law rightly made it criminal but seeking historic reparations is just a way for current African leaders - many corrupt and even-more abusive of their own citizens - to draw attention away from their ongoing incompetences and worse. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
#COP30 trundles on but enough for the climate crisis? My latest column at NationalNews argues that narrow quick-fix climate actions wont do the job. We must return to broader climate-sensitive development that is the true climate justice that many clamour for www.mukeshkapila.org/climate-just...
November 20, 2025 at 5:36 PM
#COP30 trundles on but enough for the climate crisis? My latest column at NationalNews argues that narrow quick-fix climate actions wont do the job. We must return to broader climate-sensitive development that is the true climate justice that many clamour for www.mukeshkapila.org/climate-just...