by

What is the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons?

Introduction The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (abbreviated to ICAN, pronounced /ˈaɪkæn/ EYE-kan) is a global civil society coalition working to promote adherence to and full implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The campaign helped bring about this treaty. ICAN was launched in 2007. In 2022, it counted 661 partner… Read More

by

What is the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute?

Introduction Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an international institute based in Stockholm. It was founded in 1966 and provides data, analysis and recommendations for armed conflict, military expenditure and arms trade as well as disarmament and arms control. The research is based on open sources and is directed to decision-makers, researchers, media and… Read More

by

What was the Western Union Defence Organisation (1948-1951)?

Introduction From April 1948, the member states of the Western Union (WU), decided to create a military agency under the name of the Western Union Defence Organisation (WUDO). WUDO was formally established on 27-28 September 1948. Objective The objective of WUDO was to provide for the coordination of defence between the five powers in the… Read More

by

What was the Western Union (1948-1954)?

Introduction The Western Union (WU), also referred to as the Brussels Treaty Organisation (BTO), was the European military alliance established between France, the United Kingdom (UK) and the three Benelux countries in September 1948 in order to implement the Treaty of Brussels signed in March the same year. Under this treaty the signatories, referred to… Read More

by

What is the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom?

Introduction The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is a non-profit non-governmental organisation working “to bring together women of different political views and philosophical and religious backgrounds determined to study and make known the causes of war and work for a permanent peace” and to unite women worldwide who oppose oppression and exploitation.… Read More

by

What is an Ostrog?

Introduction Ostrog (Russian: острог, IPA: [ɐˈstrok]) is a Russian term for a small fort, typically wooden and often non-permanently staffed. Ostrogs were encircled by 4-6 metres high palisade walls made from sharpened trunks. The name derives from the Russian word строгать (strogat’), “to shave the wood”. Ostrogs were smaller and exclusively military forts, compared to… Read More