Ariana Yekrangi

Far from an aberration, Israel’s genocide is the fulfilment of its design. The era of two-state fantasies is over. Only a single, secular republic offers justice.

Harris’s defeat is no tragedy; it’s a sliver of justice, a rare rebuke from voters who refuse to reward American indifference to suffering abroad.

The shooting in Pennsylvania is the fruit of the toxic tree Trump, and consecutive US administrations, have cultivated. It's time our headlines focus on what actually matters.

A genocide in Palestine is unfolding right before our eyes, a saga of despair and devastation that many in the West, cocooned in a bubble of comfort and convenience, choose to ignore.

Welcome to the February issue of The Gordian Magazine. In this edition, we venture into the depths of a question that has, for centuries, puzzled and provoked: "To be or not to be European alone". As we stand at the crossroads of history, the fabric of our collective identity is being stretched and tested by the forces of nationalism and globalisation, each tugging in its direction.

While accountability for wrongdoing of UNRWA is necessary, collective punishment that exacerbates the suffering of the vulnerable is neither just nor effective.

In the UN's high-stakes negotiations, a pivotal linguistic duel over 'cessation' versus 'suspension' casts Gaza's fate into uncertainty.

We are thrilled to extend an invitation to all our members for the UN-aligned 2023 Annual General Meeting, scheduled for Thursday, December 14th, 2023.

In Nepal, majestic national parks thrive as sanctuaries for wildlife, but for the local communities grappling with restricted access, human rights abuses and the stark reality of living on the edge of wilderness, the path to harmonious coexistence remains fraught with challenges.

Voices that shape us are all around us. In this issue of The Gordian magazine, we delve into the profound influence of diverse cultures and communities in the process of nation-building. From the tranquil mountains of Tibet to the vibrant streets of India, each article illuminates the unique contributions and challenges faced by these distinct groups in shaping the tapestry of our global society. This issue features articles by Alexander Stoney, Amy Church, Sunil Kumar Pariyar, Ellen Jones, Omar Alansari-Kreger and Carla Pietrobattista. The Editors are Ariana Yekrangi and Adrian Liberto.

Despite relentless conquests, the struggle for Tibet’s sovereignty extends beyond the protection of its heritage; it's a fight for the nation's very spirit, enduring as the mountains that embrace it.

Two wrongs don't make a right, particularly when the price is measured in the lives of children and the fabric of communities torn asunder.

The dream of a united global constitution is closer than we think. As nationalism rises, can a unified code be the anchor we need?

Armenia's move towards the International Criminal Court sets the stage for a diplomatic drama with Russia, while opening a new chapter of engagement with the West and Iran.

The dream of a united global constitution is closer than we think. As nationalism rises, can a unified code be the anchor we need? Dive into our October issue titled 'Global Constitution: The New Social Contract'. Join us as we navigate through the intricacies of geopolitics, art, culture, and more. This issue boasts thought-provoking pieces by Alexander Stoney, Adrian Liberto, Sunil Kumar Pariyar, Samira Ghafori, Anahita Ahmadi, Dawn Roy, Omar Alansari-Kreger, Carla Pietrobattista and Partho Pratim Chatterjee. The editors are Ariana Yekrangi and Adrian Liberto.

No one needs to be consumed by the fumes of power. There is space for equity, even in the face of giant greed! This is not mere utopian thought; this is an urgent call to action. In this re-emerging June issue of The Gordian, titled "In The Fume of Power: The Greed of Giants", we confront the unchecked power of industry giants and the inherent dangers they pose. Of course, our explorations do not end here. The June issue presents a plethora of compelling articles penned by an array of thoughtful minds, including Dawn Roy, Alexander Stoney, Partho Pratim Chatterjee, Omar Alansari-Kreger, Jihan Al-Assad, Carla Pietrobattista and Alex Liberto. Overseeing this issue are editors Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Cultural ties fuel German-Turkish diaspora's support for Erdogan's autocracy, a paradox threatening to stall Turkey's progress in the 21st century.

As Russia takes over the UN Security Council presidency, the world confronts the baffling irony of a nation, embroiled in the Ukraine war and led by a convicted war criminal, guiding an organisation entrusted with the preservation of global peace and security.

The International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Putin may be a small, symbolic step towards justice, but in a world where accountability is as dead as the dodo, it's a tune worth dancing to.

No one needs to be poor. There is plenty for all of us! This is not utopia; this is a fact. In this second issue of our new Utopia series, we will be focusing on poverty and its elimination. Of course, our coverage does not end here. The March issue offers a wide range of insightful pieces by Partho Pratim Chatterjee, Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee, Elvira Ineza, Atika Harba, Carla Pietrobattista, Alex Liberto, Dinojah Patkunarajah, Dawn Roy, and Omar Alansari-Kreger. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Step into the captivating and unknown realm of the deep sea, where a vast variety of extraordinary creatures dwell, still largely unknown to humans.

Lynch's dedication to fighting against injustice has earned him widespread admiration and attention, with many hailing him as a hero for our times.

In this first issue of our new Utopia series, we will be focusing on world peace and democracy. Our main article is a quirky piece which postulates an interview with the representative of a more advanced civilisation; and within this setting, novel visions are juxtaposed to some of our pressing problems. Of course, our coverage does not end here. The January issue offers a wide number of insightful articles by Lukas Pfluger, Dinojah Patkunarajah, Partho and Pradeep Chatteree, Elvira Ineza, Omar Alansari-Kreger, Joe Wain as well as our literary article by Alex Liberto and our art piece by Carla Pietrobattista. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi

The first chapter will take you on a journey to discover a utopia where war is abolished and where facts are sacred. But the encounter will raise more questions than answers, as it challenges our understanding of war, humanity, and the future of our world.

Ariana Yekrangi conducts an interview with a representative of a technologically advanced civilization, during which new perspectives are presented in relation to some of humanity's current challenges.

From the Assembly of Experts to the Guardian Council, learn about the complex process of electing the Supreme Leader of Iran, the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces and the highest authority in the country.

The UN HRC approved a fact-finding investigation into human rights violations in Iran. However, the vote reveals three disturbing facts about the Council and its ability to protect human rights.

Welcome to last issue of volume 6 of The Gordian. The main theme of this volume is still justice, but we will also focus on a fight for justice that is unfolding in front of our eyes. Despite the brutality of the security forces in Iran, protests continue to thrive and grow. The courage and defiance of women is inspiring, and their determination to stand up for their rights is a testament to their strength and resilience. This issue offers the usual mix of politics, interviews and culture by UN-aligneders across the world, including Carla Pietrobattista, Elvira Ineza, Partho Chatterjee, Ted Daley, Ayesha Dawood, Aryan Yekrangi and Omar Alansari-Kreger. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Exclusive: A two-hour-long audio leak of a secret meeting between a Basij commander and news outlets reveals the regime’s tactics to suppress dissent.

This month’s Gordian Magazine marks the end of volume 6 in which we covered various aspects of justice and its relationship to law enforcement.

The Gordian rolls on with its messages of peace and light and respect, but notwithstanding, the world seems to be getting darker and more troubled. Climate disasters are no longer the exception, while the threat of a nuclear apocalypse is more real than it ever has been. Giving in is not an option.

In his national epic, the Book of Kings, Ferdowsi, tells us a story of a kingdom ruled by hungry snakes terrorising a nation. Little did the poet know that 1000 years later, his national epic would become a prophecy.

Welcome to the September issue of The Gordian. In this issue we are focussing on war. I was going to add “and the futility of it”, but ‘futility’ is far from the right word. No, war is not futile. It too is a nail, and allowed to be, it may well be the last nail in our collective coffin. This issue offers the usual mix of politics, interviews and culture by UN-aligneders across the world, including Ruby Goldenberg, Carla Pietrobattista, Katharina Wüstnienhaus, Victoria Davila, Partho Chatterjee and Nick Hautamaki, Usha Roopnarain and Omar Alansari-Kreger The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

We are pleased to invite you to UN-aligned’s 2022 Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting is a special occasion for the exchange of information and discussion between UN-aligned members across the world. It is also an opportunity for you to express yourself and play an active role in the major decisions of the organisation.

Executing a human being and punishments like solitary confinement are as coldblooded and premeditated as murder and torture can get.

A quick glance at what was inside the latest issue of The Gordian Magazine, UN-aligned's monthly publication.

Here’s a look over the five key judicial branches of the European Union and how they are safeguarding justice across the block.

The European Union recently granted applicant status to Ukraine and Moldova. If approved, its many benefits, even rivalling NATO’s, include deterring Russia’s war machine. Here are some key questions surrounding the topic.

Criticising the European Union as a callous and exclusive gentlemen's club that has created a Golden Curtain against outsiders, the July issue of The Gordian focuses on the state of justice across the bloc.

Welcome to this issue of The Gordian Magazine. Appeasement is like giving the school bully your lunch money to avoid being beaten up. In political terms, however, it is more like giving the school bully someone else’s lunch money, to stop them from being picked on, because we just cannot be bothered to deal with the confrontation. The term often brings to mind the prelude to WWII, a time when, in the name of peace, Hitler was being allowed to threaten, intimidate and torment. We all know how that story ended. However, is history repeating itself so soon again? This issue offers the usual mix of politics, interviews, culture, and galleries by our UN-aligneders across the world, including Ruby Goldenberg, Carla Pietrobattista, Katharina Wüstnienhaus, Atika Harba, Kaitlyn Rivera, Partho Pratim Chatterjee and Eston McKeague. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

In this article, we will explore the three UN conventions that are designed to protect the laws of our seas: the UNCLOS, the ITLOS  and ISA.

Welcome to the first issue of the 6 volume of The Gordian. It is largely accepted that Lady Justice’s blindfold symbolises impartiality, however, one cannot help comparing the blindfold to that of “blind” Fortune, whose largess is purely random. How else can there be so much injustice in the world? We say no more: Meet our new Lady Justice. This issue offers the usual mix of politics, interviews, culture, and galleries by our UN-aligneders across the world, including Ruby Goldenberg, Carla Pietrobattista, Katharina Wüstnienhaus, Atika Harba, Kaitlyn Rivera, Anahita Ahmadi, Partho Pratim Chatterjee, Sailaja S.P and Aryan Yekrangi. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Having covered social topics in the last few issues of The Gordian, in May we will be moving on to a series that will focus on law and order. Topics will range from international law and treaties to general crime and punishment. We will also be exploring the difference between what is legal and what is ethical, which are two very different animals.

Welcome this special issue of the Gordian Magazine. This issue offers the usual mix of politics and culture, with our main focus this time being on education. This issue contains many more exclusive reports, galleries and interviews by senior administrator, Ruby Goldenberg, our art editor, Carla Pietrobatistta, our puzzles creator, Katharina Wüstnienhaus, our interns, Jihane Al-assad and Kaitlyn Rivera and other UN-aligneders, namely, Usha Roopnarain, Cristina Mihailescu, Partho Pratim Chatterjee, Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee and Anahita Ahmadi. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

UN-aligned’s open letter to the UNHRC which called for a ban on countries that criminalise LGBTQ+ from forming part of the commission will be delayed owing to the latest developments in the United Nations and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

For years Europe has watched iron-man rising worldwide and polarising the advance of authoritarianism. Now, we proved it: we can take action, but only if we want to.

Welcome this special issue of the Gordian Magazine. The enemy is not only within the walls of the United Naitons, but in most cases, the enemy constitutes an integral part of the organisation itself. This month, we take a closer look at the United Nations' part in the Ukrainian invasion. This issue contains many more exclusive reports, galleries and timelines by our literary editor, Alex Liberto, our puzzles creator, Katharina Wüstnienhaus, our interns, Atika Harba and Kaitlyn Rivera and other UN-aligneders, namely, The Young World Federalists, Usha Roopnarain and Ashkan. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Many may not know, but the United Nations is the creator of some of the worst “reality TV” of all time. This is The Gordian Magazine’s review of United Nations events as if they were reality TV.

Legalising drugs would make drug use safer, but the bigger impact of moving to a regulated drug market is that it would defy racism, reduce chaos and violence and make us wealthier.

A short month, but an issue brimming with provoking reads. In this issue of The Gordian, we invite you to look at events from a different perspective, whether it is a step away from our rigid notions regarding sex, or challenging our unquestioning reverence to the United Nations. This issue contains more exclusive reports by, our Art Editor, Carla Pietrobattista, our literary editor, Alex Liberto, our ex-virtual intern Jihan Al-Assad; and other UN-aligneders, namely, Partho Pratim Chatterjee, Jonna Lappalainen, Ruby Goldenberg and Kennedy Karanja. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Participating members in this UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine attempt their best with this bland, shallow and awkwardly structured meeting, which can be characterised in 6 words: “Too late”, “nothing new” and “bad directing”.

Mutilating the sexual organs of a child, circumcision, in the name of culture, religion or dubious preventative medical claims is outrageous and a blatant breach of the child’s human rights.

In this episode of Gordian Monthly Recap, Ruby Goldenberg and Ariana Yekrangi help you catch up with everything that happened in November 2021.

In this issue of The Gordian, we talk about the concept of citizenship and why our primary duty should be to humankind and not the state. This issue contains more exclusive reports by, our Art Editor, Carla Pietrobattista; our virtual interns, Atika Harba and Jihan Al-Assad; and other UN-aligned members, namely, Partho Pratim Chatterjee, Anahita Ahmadi, Ruby Goldenberg and Pouyan Jaberi. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

The Gordian Magazine is an open, independent publication that is read by hundreds of people around the world. Its main purpose has always been the creation of a platform for discussion and dissemination of knowledge; and with your support, we hope to take our game up a notch and build on this for many years to come.

In this episode of Gordian Monthly Recap, Ruby and Ariana help you catch up with everything that happened in October 2021.

In this issue of The Gordian, we take a look at all the serious issues relating to justice that we may be oblivious to. This issue contains exclusive reports by, our literary editor, Alex Liberto; our virtual interns, Atika Harba and Jihan Al-Assadother; and other UN-aligned members, namely Carla Pietrobattista. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

UN-aligned’s first AGM was held on Wednesday, November 24th, 2021, at 19:30 - 20:30 (EET) on Google Meet. The proposals included in the agenda of UN-aligned’s AGM, together with this invitation, the NGO’s Financial Statement and the Auditor’s Report are all available on this page.

In this issue of The Gordian, we take a closer look at the Balkan Peninsula and the fall of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.  This issue contains exclusive reports by, our literary editor, Alex Liberto, and other UN-aligned members, namely Jay Davis and Carla Pietrobattista, Eston McKeague, Jonna Lappalainen and Aryan Yekrangi. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Exploring our tendency to view personal disaster as a distant, parallel universe, this issue of *The Gordian* delves into pressing social issues from rough sleeping to poverty, featuring exclusive reports from its editorial team.

This month marks the last issue of the 4th Volume of the Gordian Magazine. Although it may not seem like much, to date we have published more than 25 issues of the Gordian, all of which can be accessed for free. Words cannot express how grateful we are to the generous support of our writers, contributors and, you, our readers.

The United Nations is the devil. It has had the top job of securing world peace for over three quarters of a century and for a host of reasons it has made an absolute mess of it. And yet, most of us are happy to be represented by this organisation. We say enough is enough. In this issue of The Gordian, we talk about why the UN cannot be trusted to represent, let alone advance, humanity’s ideals and aspirations and why simple reform will not resolve its inherent problems. This issue contains more exclusive reports by, our literary editor, Alex Liberto, and other UN-aligned members, namely Jay Davis, Jonna Lappalainen and Carla Pietrobattista. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

While the UN's causes are noble, its communiques can feel like an alphabet soup and its members often behave like undisciplined children. An audio episode explores the ambitions and limitations of its leader, António Guterres

The Secretariat consists of the personnel of the United Nations, with the Secretary-General as its head. It is estimated that as of 2021, more than 35,000 people are employed by the United Nations.

Last week Edward Mortimer, the chief speechwriter for Kofi Annan, passed away at the age of 77. He was described as “one of the lively minds surrounding the Secretary-General, given license to think and experiment at a time when the future of the United Nations was being written anew”.

Plunging into the ocean of UN communiques is like drowning in an alphabet soup. Often, the words are noble, the causes honourable. Occasionally they even make a difference... and yet the members of this mighty club behave like undisciplined children who delight in doing just as they please. In this issue of The Gordian, following the re-election of the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, we will be discussing everything relating to his post and office. This issue contains more exclusive reports by, our literary editor, Alex Liberto, and other UN-aligned members, namely Jonna Lappalainen, Carla Pietrobattista and Aryan Yekrangi. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

The globally displaced rose from 79.5 million in 2019 to 82.4 million by the end of 2020, a near 3 million increase. This is as the G7 decides to take no action whatsoever. The UNHCR says that the number of refugees around the world has hit a new high, this is in spite of the pandemic, a time in which over 160 countries closed their borders.

Earlier this year, Secretary General António Guterres appointed the Frenchman Jean Arnault as his envoy covering Afghanistan and regional issues. Mr Arnault is expected to support the negotiations and implementation of any agreements between the Taliban and Afghanistan.

Final tallies earlier this month showed that Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were elected as the five new non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. The new members elected this year will be taking up their seats on 01.01.2022 and will serve for 1 year, until 31.12.2023.

According to the Palestinian health authorities, during the recent clashes between Israel and Gaza, at least 254 Palestinians including 66 children were killed. This is while more than 1,900 are reported to be wounded. For 30 years, the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), a nonpolitical humanitarian relief organisation, has provided the children of Gaza with free medical care.

Your past is in front of your eyes, it’s 2014, 2012 and 2008 all over again. You cannot escape it, visual reminders are scattered all over the city.

Is the UNSC becoming obsolete? Well, it is not that the Security Council (UNSC) is no longer fit for purpose, it has never really been designed to fit its purpose. In 1946, after the League of Nations ceased its operations, the Security Council was invested with most of the power of the brand new organisation, the United Nations.

Join this practical and informative online workshop, which will culminate in a published article in The Gordian. In the space of just five lessons, starting on the first of July, Adrian Liberto, author, journalist, a former professor at the American University of Rome and current editor-in-chief of the Gordian Magazine, will teach you how to overcome your weaknesses in writing. Adrian will use his vast reserves of experience and enthusiasm to give you an overall assessment of your writing strengths and weaknesses and how to maximise the former and overcome the latter.

War is an unacceptable way of resolving differences, or crimes committed by one country against another. In this issue of The Gordian, we discuss a solutions towards comprehensive global justice. We also take a closer look at the crimes committed by Israel and the UN Security Council. This issue contains exclusive reports by our Administrator, Ruby Goldenberg, our literary editor, Alex Liberto, our treasurer, Jonna Lappalainen and other UN-aligned members, namely Carla Pietrobattista and Anahita Ahmadi. The editors are Adrian Liberto and Ariana Yekrangi.

Humanity has created a biased, self-serving 'doppelgänger' of true justice through flawed laws, a concept explored here in relation to institutions like the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

This series will expose the hypocrisies of self-serving members of the UN and will bring peace, human rights, solidarity and the environment once again to the top of the UN agenda

We believe the flexible roadmap of UN-aligned’s manifesto presents a safe trajectory for a united world, so as UN-aligned grows we are always seeking to refine, clarify and improve our goals and missions. The following changes have been made to the UN-aligned manifesto as of May 2021.

Justice is not a relative term, but for much of our history we have manipulated it to such an extent that we have created a parallel sort of justice. More often than not, human justice is just a sinister doppelgänger of justice in its purest form. Human justice depends on laws, and as we all know, laws are biased. In this issue of The Gordian, we discuss the differences between the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court and test their fairness, validity and integrity. We will also introduce you to a new series within magazine titled "UN in Focus". This issue contains exclusive reports by Jonna Lappalainen, Ayten Aydin and Carla Pietrobattista.

Economist Kate Raworth's 'Doughnut' model provides a visual framework for a healthy economy, outlining a safe and just space for humanity to thrive between its social and planetary boundaries.

GDP is not a suitable measurement for happiness or welfare. It sucks.

Over the last few centuries, economics has been dominated by a doctrine of perpetual growth. The prevailing idea was that there were no limits to how much we could exploit the earth and its resources. Today we know better, but sadly, we still behave as though we did not. In this issue of The Gordian, we present to you the basics of modern economic theory including topics like, the Doughnut Economy, the dilemma of growth and the relationship between GDP and happiness. This issue contains exclusive reports by our literary editor, Alex Liberto and other contributors namely, Carla Pietrobattista and Ruby Goldenberg.

"Yesterday, upon the stair; I met a man who wasn't there! He wasn't there again today; Oh how I wish he'd go away!" The following quote from Hughes Mearns’ poem, Antigonish, could so easily allude to sanctions. They are full of sound and fury, and yet, they signify nothing concrete, but rather an absence of something. In this issue of The Gordian we talk about sanctions, what they aim to achieve and whether they are successful or not. This issue contains exclusive reports by Alex Liberto, Anahita Ahmadi and Ayten Aydin. To read this issue free of charge, click on the link below.

Under the former communist regime, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) was suppressed, its properties confiscated and its followers harassed and imprisoned. This was until a Messiah came along.

As the Human Right Series of the Gordian comes to its eighth issue, we sincerely thank all of our readers and authors for their generous support and contributions. It is because of you that The Gordian Magazine has developed into its current form and has become a platform for members to express their thoughts and ideas.

Anwar Sadat Swaka declared as the winner of the 2020 UN-aligned photo competition.

People with bigotted or selfish agendas have always tried to hijack religion. Many of them claim a monopoly on truth relating to the divine and the moral. Today however, we know that religion cannot be used as an excuse for indifference, oppression or injustice of any kind, whether it be to fellow humans, to animals or to the planet itself. In this issue of The Gordian we highlight why it is important to put human rights before religious rights. This issue contains exclusive reports by Alex Liberto, Jonna Lappalainen and Aryan Yekrangi.

Cultivated meat will present a futuristic alternative to the callous, unwieldy and unnecessarily wasteful way animals are farmed today.

Factory farming causes animals to live and die in great pain each year. So far, our response has been almost total indifference and inaction. For this reason, we have decided to dedicate this issue to animal rights and animal welfare. In the spirit of Veganuary, we have a number of articles dedicated to the topic, including: reports, interviews, poetry and even food recipes. We will also discuss UN-aligned's achievements in 2020 and how we plan to take the leap to 2021. This issue contains exclusive reports by Animal Equality Italia, Andrea Piccinelli, Anahita Ahmadi, Jonna Lappalainen and other UN-aligned members.

Winston Churchill once said: “Democracy is the worst form of government except for all others.” But was he right? This article about democracy vs anarchy offers different perspective. Throughout the years, democracy has become a defining characteristic of the West and its politics.

People rave about democracy, but democracy is not the panacea it is made out to be. It has been described as “two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner” and in many cases it appears to be just that: a dictatorship of the majority. In this issue of the Gordian we take closer look at serious weaknesses of the US democratic system. This issue also contains a peep into the life of Samuel Pepys, a photo gallery from Uzbekistan and a dangerously hot quiz that should challenge everything you know about democracy.

In a recent publication, UN-aligned joined the voices of organisations, like Oxfam and the WFP, in warning against a hunger catastrophe already targeting millions of children and adults in the world’s most vulnerable places. The good earth is rich and can provide for everyone and in our world of plenty, no one should have to suffer hunger or malnutrition. The solid frame-work the sustainable development goals provided during the last decade is threatened by an awful melange of disasters, such as Covid-19 and climate change.

UN-aligned is excited to announce a new opportunity for its readers to nominate any individual or organisation whom they believe deserves more attention for championing their cause. Although the prize can go to literally anyone, we encourage you to think twice before nominating dictators, fascists or possibly your grandmother. After we have received the final results, we will shortlist your submitted names.

Many will face horrific hunger if relief efforts are not stepped up in a world heated by coal, infected with Covid-19 and separated by nationalists. Five years ago, 193 countries lined up behind a comprehensive and ambitious set of targets – also known as the Sustainable Development Goals – to transform life and the planet by 2030.

This year the World Food Programme was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. But should branches of the United Nations be beneficiaries of such awards for simply doing their job? Wasn't this a missed opportunity? "This was a coward and political move" argues Adrian Liberto in his piece: Five Reasons why this Year’s Nobel Peace Prize was Misplaced. In this publication, author Ariana Yekrangi also takes a closer look at a looming food crisis predicted to be unlike anything we've seen before. This issue also contains an exclusive photo reportage by UN-aligned Administrator, Ruby Goldenberg.

Any lover of democracy would be justified in feeling a sense of alarm when faced with such statements as “an assault on democracy...” and “a direct political attack against the democratically elected government...”, but as the Bard of Avon put it: “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” In this month's Gordian we discuss LGBTQ+ rights. This issue contain more exclusive reports by Alex Liberto, Aryan Yekrangi and Anahita Ahmadi.

Dear Dr. Zsuzsanna Jakab, I am writing to you on behalf of UN-aligned, an international organisation that laid the foundations for an alternative United Nations, which aims to serve people, before nationstates.

What are the United Nations General Assembly Debates? Every year, in September, all 193 Member States of the United Nations who are represented in the General Assembly come together to discuss a wide array of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations, such as development, peace, security and international law. UN-aligned will be watching the developments of this event closely In the live blog from last year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Adrian Liberto and I summarised some of the most important speeches that unfolded during this four-day event.

Picture this: you have five buttons in front of you. They are all linked to a raft full of migrants who are fleeing war and famine. Some may be simply looking for a better life, while a few may be nasty characters out for what they can get. Your buttons are: Destroy, Ignore, Repatriate or Assist. Which would you press? In the September issue of the Gordian we discuss refugees and migration. This issue contains more exclusive reports by Ruby Goldenberg, Aryan Yekrangi, Alex Liberto, Golam Habib and Fazal. Read this issue free of charge by clicking on the link below.

A cathedral first, then a mosque, and later a museum. Last week, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia became a mosque once again; an insular act for Turkey’s Erdogan to flex his political mussels and to fuel his posture of indignation and grievance.

In 1992, two years before the war between the neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan ended, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), met in Helsinki and decided to chair negotiations towards a peaceful political settlement for the crisis. The body, also known as the Minsk group, is led and co-chaired by the US, Russia and France with Belarus, Germany, Italy, Portugal, The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan as participating member states. During the last OSCE Minsk group summit in 2017, talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan were described as “constructive”.

In this month's Gordian we talk about the Russian referendum and why Putin’s victory is a threat to us all. We also take a closer look at the Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict and offer possible solutions to this century-long problem. This issue contains more exclusive reports by Katha Strophe and Jonna Lappalainen.

All articles in the UN-aligned manifesto are important, but it is only natural that we will feel more attached to some rather than to others. If you are particularly passionate about one of the articles in the manifesto, we would like you to consider becoming a voluntary Ambassador for that specific article.

When is it OK to hit a protestor? Is protesting during a global pandemic a good idea? There has rarely been any positive social changes without some form of protest. Too often the establishment is seen grappling on to power by fostering a dominant discourse from which dissident and minority views are excluded.

When is it ok to hit a protestor? Is protesting during a global pandemic a good idea? Is it time we stopped using tear gas? In this new issue of the Human Rights series we answer all of the above questions and much more. We also introduce you to the new UN-aligned Campaigns. This issue contains exclusive reports by Jonna Lappalainen, Nayry Ignarkea and Anahita Ahmadi.

Ms. Ruby Goldenberg: The new UN-aligned Administrator Ms.

As the Environmental Priorities Series comes to its sixth and last issue, we sincerely thank all of our readers and authors for their generous support and contributions. It is because of you that The Gordian magazine has developed into its current form and has become a platform for members to express their thoughts and ideas.

In the last issue of the Environmental Priority series, we talk about waste and its management. We also give you some ideas on how you can transform waste or avoid it completely. This issue contains more exclusive reports by Jonna Lappalainen, Rahima El-Harak, Nayry Ignarkea and Anahita Ahmadi.

Sea level rise is set to challenge human civilisation for centuries to come. In this issue of the Gordian we discuss various aspects about the rise of sea levels, including: causes, consequences and a potential way out. This issue contains more exclusive reports by Molly Perkins, Alex Liberto and other UN-aligned members.

In this issue of the Gordian we cover various topics about water. We will also take a closer look at a few ways to deal with misbehaving artists and their work. The issue contains more exclusive reports by Jonna Lappalainen and Alex Liberto.

So far The Gordian magazine has been presented in a PDF format sent to your email on a monthly basis. While this may have been perfect for readers who printed our magazine on traditional paper or those who used computer devices with bigger screens, such as laptops or tablets, mobile users often had to pinch and zoom on a specific section of the page in order to see a paragraph of text.

This issue of The Gordian includes some examples of the damage certain high-profile companies have caused to human health and the environment. We also take a closer look at Russian tourist visas and their importance in international relations. This issue contains exclusive reporting by Zhi Wang and Ruby Goldenberg.

On Thursday 27th February, a British appeals court ruled that a planned expansion of Heathrow airport is unconstitutional because the planning process was not in accordance with the government’s own climate policies set out in the Paris Agreement. Lords Justice Lindblom, Singh and Haddon-Cave ruled that when setting out their support for the measures in their National Policy Statement (NPS), the government did not take adequate account of its contribution to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

In December 2019 the Government of India, led by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secccesfully amended a bill to the Citizenship Act of 1955, offering amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants, who arrived in India prior to 2004. These immigrants must be able to prove that they are citizens of one of the three neighbouring countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan. Half the truth is often a whole lie Spokespeople of the Indian Government have repeatedly claimed that the new law intends to give sanctuary to people fleeing religious persecution.

What happened? Although people are long used to the erratic twists and turns of Donald Trump, his decision to sell the Kurds down the river by withdrawing American troops from Syria caught everyone by surprise. Whether Trump was right to extricate his forces from Syria remains debatable, but just as there is rarely a good time to start international military interventions, so there is rarely a good time to discontinue them.

This year we took it upon ourselves to go through every speech of the United Nations General Assembly and brief you about the most important updates. In doing so, we got to hear some of the most bold and exciting statements from leaders around the world. We believe that the President of El Salvador’s speech was courageous, effective and to the point and thus, deserves the prize of the best statement of the debate.

A number of thorny topics were on the agenda this year. Some of the key issues included: foreign policy, trade and, of course, climate change.

UN-aligned is slowly, but surely, taking its place in the world arena of politics. We are also increasingly being criticised by different sides of the political spectrum.

A bike campaign In the autumn of 2015, a young environmentalist in Arak, a city with pollution levels as staggering as those in Tehran, started a “car-free Tuesday” campaign to encourage people to commute by bike. The campaign soon turned popular with municipal authorities across the country beginning to encourage residents to ride bikes and leave their cars at home.

While the global political scene is beginning to look more and more like a Theatre of the Absurd, UN-aligned has become an alternative platform for many to turn to. This is not surprising; long lasting peace and prosperity can only be achieved with the kind of values and principles that UN-aligned advocates.

Last Friday’s successful launch marks a new milestone in the world of politics, getting us ever closer to a world that works for and belongs to everyone. What makes this event so important is that UN-aligned doesn’t aim to make changes within our broken political systems, but aims to change the global framework itself as its primary goal.