military
Our Bodies, Their Battlefield ***NEW ONLINE EVENT***
With rare insight into the day-to-day lives of women living within the battle lines, Christina Lamb address the systemic use of rape in war, and its continual deployment as a cruel, inhumane military tactic in a discussion chaired by Lindsey Hilsum.
On the Inside of a Military Dictatorship + Q&A
Featuring frank and detailed interviews with military generals, journalists and Aung San Suu Kyi, this absorbing documentary from Karen Stokkendal Poulsen tells the story of how the global democracy icon and military rulers ended up forming an alliance in Myanmar’s corridors of power after 50 years of brutal dictatorship – and the tragic consequences that followed.
U.S. Under the Lens: Do Not Resist + Q&A
Do Not Resist is an urgent and powerful exploration of the rapid militarisation of the police in the United States. Opening on startling on-the-scene footage in Ferguson, Missouri, the film then broadens its scope to present scenes from across the country. Through keen and thoughtful observances, director Craig Atkinson deftly presents the characters and stories that comprise this pressing issue. The result reveals a rare and surprising look into the increasingly disturbing realities of American police culture.
First Wednesday: The Fight Against Daesh
Since the Paris attacks on 13 November, world leaders have seemingly put grievances aside to unite in a newly energised fight against Daesh – but what can be achieved by bombing the already bombed-out cities of Syria? For the first First Wednesday of 2016 we will be bringing together a panel to discuss the diplomatic, logistical and ideological challenges of the fight against Daesh.
Nawal El Saadawi: Religion, Feminism and Egyptian Politics
By Ayman Al-Juzi On Monday 26 October, renowned Egyptian writer, feminist and activist Nawal El Saadawi joined journalist Wendell Steavenson and a packed audience at the Frontline Club for a discussion that spanned the topics of linguistic philosophy, feminism and globalisation – all of which were explored in the context of El Saadawi‘s own life […]
The Changing Face of Myanmar
By Helena Kardova L to R: Richard Cockett, Hkanhpa Sadan, Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, Robert Cooper, Paul French Meanwhile certain regions of Burma are about to learn how to cast a ballot on November 8, ethnic minorities in rural areas are fleeing their homes that are being burnt by the military forces. On Tuesday September 22, a […]
From Military Rule to Democracy: The Changing Face of Myanmar?
On 8 November, the people of Myanmar will go to the polls in an election that is being seen as a step towards full democracy, after nearly half a century of military rule. With a panel of experts we will explore what life is like in Myanmar, the political and ethical divisions and what change the election will bring.
Tell Spring Not to Come This Year: The Transition of Afghanistan to the Afghan National Army
By Graham Lanktree In 2014, western troops drew down combat operations after 13 years of fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan. This left the Afghan Army to cope with an enemy that some of the most powerful militaries on earth have failed to defeat. In their new documentary Tell Spring Not to Come This Year, […]
In Conversation with Emma Sky: Iraq – The Unravelling
In what was only meant to be a three month trip, Emma Sky travelled to Iraq in 2003 having volunteered to help rebuild the country immediately after the invasion and overthrow of Saddam Hussein. She soon found herself as a political advisor to the US military and three months turned into a decade. She will be joining us in conversation with The Guardian‘s Middle East editor, Ian Black to share her unique insight into the US military, and the complexities, diversity and evolution of Iraqi society as documented in her new book The Unraveling: High Hopes and Missed Opportunities in Iraq.
America’s Secret Drone Wars: What is the Cost?
Days after the September 11 attacks, a CIA Predator in Afghanistan executed the world’s first lethal drone strike. The CIA claims that its armed drones are ‘the most precise weapon ever invented’, but what is the true cost? In a new book, Sudden Justice, investigative journalist Chris Woods explores the secretive history of the United States’ use of armed drones. He will be joining us with a panel of experts to explore that history and the key role they play on today’s battlefields and in covert targeted killings.
Afghanistan: Lessons Of War
By Isabel Gonzalez-Prendergast On 25 February, a panel of experts convened at the Frontline Club for a discussion on the war in Afghanistan and its ongoing legacy. Chaired by BBC Afghanistan correspondent, David Loyn, the debate spanned the period from 11 September 2001 to the present day.
Thailand: A Kingdom in Crisis
In May 2014, Thailand underwent its 12th successful military coup since the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in 1932. This time, there has been no promise of a quick return to civilian rule; a spokesperson for the National Council of Peace and Order has stated that in Thailand’s current situation, normal democratic principles cannot be applied. We will be joined by a panel of experts to examine the root causes of Thailand’s ongoing political crisis and what actions, if any, can be taken to resolve it.
First Wednesday: The Hunt for Nigeria’s Missing Schoolgirls
The recent abduction by militant Islamist group Boko Haram of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls sparked global outrage, leading to the #BringBackOurGirls campaign and military assistance from Britain, the US, France and China. With attacks in northern Nigeria on the increase we will be bringing together a panel of experts to examine the emergence of Boko Haram and what is being done to combat them.
Egypt’s Roadmap
As Abdel Fattah al-Sisi takes his place as Egypt’s second democratically elected leader, we will be looking at his roadmap for the country. Are we seeing a return to military dominance of politics and what does that signal for Egypt?
Egypt Crisis: Yosri Fouda in conversation with Jeremy Bowen
As political instability continues in Egypt, renowned Arab journalist Yosri Fouda will be joining the BBC’s Middle East Editor, Jeremy Bowen in conversation, to give some insight into how this situation will develop.
The Afghanistan Debate
This event is in association with BBC Service for Afghanistan. It will be held at the Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Rd, London, NW1 2AJ.
As the final stage of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan begins, we will be bringing together leading experts to look at the country’s roadmap and the legacy of the past 12 years.
Egypt’s New Roadmap
A year after his victory in Egypt’s historic first free election Mohamed Morsi has been ousted. Since his removal from power by the military on 3 July tensions have soared on the streets of Egypt. With events developing at great speed we will be taking stock of what has happened and asking what this means for Egypt’s future.
Soldiers’ Traumas – From World War Two to Afghanistan
Connecting the lives of soldiers in the Second World War and today in Afghanistan, veteran journalist and writer, Charles Glass and former soldier Jake Wood will be joining us to talk about their respective works, Deserter and Among You. Chaired by Frontline Club founder, Vaughan Smith.
The future of British military engagement with the media
In light of more than ten years of conflict overseas, we examine the nature of the engagement between the British military and the media. As we see changes in the British military, the media, and the nature of conflict zones, how will this relationship develop?
FULLY BOOKED On the frontline: Refocusing on Afghanistan
October this year will mark 12 years since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan and with the 2014 deadline looming join us with author and award winning journalist Christina Lamb, Afghan American author Tamim Ansary and others, as we look ahead at the path to troop withdrawal.
‘Shooting vs. Shooting’ screening comes under fire
By Helena Williams A documentary on journalist casualties during the Iraq war came under fire last night as members of the audience questioned the director’s stance on the US military. Greek journalist Nikos Megrelis’ 2011 film, ‘Shooting vs. Shooting’, centres around the killing of Western journalists by American soldiers in Iraq and suggests that […]
ForesightNews world briefing: upcoming events 19 – 25 September
A weekly round up of world events from Monday, 19 September to Sunday, 25 September from ForesightNews By Nicole Hunt Anders Behring Breivik, the man who admitted to setting off the 22 July bomb in Oslo, killing eight people, before killing 69 people on the island of Utoya, makes his first public appearance at Oslo […]
Optimism is a “duty” if the Egyptian revolution is going to succeed
If you want to take part in further discussion about the revolutions in the Middle East and their impact on Western policy, come along to our FIRST WEDNESDAY SPECIAL: Changing world – conflict, culture and terrorism in the 21st century on Wednesday, 7 September. Video streaming by Ustream There has not yet been a full […]
Afghanistan: the brittle compact between military and media
Vaughan Smith argues that news management by the military is a risky business. Smith founded the Frontline Club in London in 2003 and during the 1990s he ran Frontline Television News. He filmed the only uncontrolled footage of the Gulf War in 1991 after bluffing his way into an active-duty unit while disguised as a […]
Don’t mention anything about the war
Given the euphoria over Germany’s Eurovision win, it was probably only an event of the magnitude of the German President resigning that could bump Lena off the headlines… But as tabloid Bild shows not by much… The surprise resignation of President Horst Köhler has both politicians and the media playing over and rewinding the tape […]
First Wednesday: The challenges of telling the full story of war in Afghanistan
Download this episode View in iTunes Watch the full event here. By Heather Christie Media coverage of the conflict in Afghanistan is misinforming the public because it’s too heavily influenced by military strategy, practical challenges, and cultural preconceptions. That was the clear message at March’s first Wednesday event at the Frontline Club on Afghanistan and […]