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News and Politics Strategy

The Right Not to Be Shot – How One Leader is Redefining Justice & Leadership

In an era where leadership is too often equated with visibility or volume, Jonathan Lowy reminded me what real leadership looks like — quiet courage, enduring commitment, and a relentless pursuit of justice. As the Founder and President of Global Action on Gun Violence, Jonathan is not just a seasoned attorney. He’s a force for systemic change, one who has taken on an industry cloaked in political protection and transformed legal strategies into life-saving reform.

Our C-Suite Success conversation was more than just an interview. It was a masterclass in how to lead with integrity, especially when the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Jonathan entered the gun violence prevention space almost three decades ago, not through political channels, but through the courtroom. Early in his career, he represented survivors and victims of gun violence, many of whom had no other recourse. He quickly saw that litigation wasn’t just a legal remedy; it was a tool for change when the political system remained paralyzed. One example he shared involved two police officers gravely injured by trafficked firearms. The case sparked an unexpected ripple effect: local gun dealers — who were never even part of the lawsuit — voluntarily changed their business practices after learning about the case. That kind of self-regulated reform, inspired by exposure and accountability, is a testament to Jonathan’s impact.

But what struck me even more was Jonathan’s deep sense of humanity. He’s passionate about justice, yes — but also about writing, literature, sports, and family. He talked about how sports can create common ground across ideological divides. It’s hard to hate someone when you’re both cheering for the same team. That framing felt so relevant — not just for the gun debate, but for how we connect as leaders across all sectors.

We live in a world that often feels divided beyond repair, but Jonathan’s commitment to finding common ground is both rare and refreshing. He’s spoken with some of the staunchest gun rights advocates in the country and found friendship and shared values. That doesn’t mean he ignores the problem. It means he looks for the people who want to be part of the solution, regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum.

And if you think this journey’s been easy, think again.

Jonathan has faced aggressive legislative setbacks—laws passed specifically to shut down his lawsuits on behalf of cities like Atlanta and New Orleans. In most industries, that would signal defeat. But for Jonathan, it was just a sign to find a new door. He reorganized strategies, adjusted his approach, and kept going. His message? There’s always a way forward. It may not be the way you planned, but it’s there.

That philosophy led him to write The Right Not to Be Shot in 2016, a powerful argument that reframes our constitutional conversation. While the Second Amendment is often used to justify the right to bear arms, Jonathan asks a fundamental question: What about the right to live? Inspired in part by the tragic shooting of Trayvon Martin, Jonathan’s legal and moral perspective challenges us to weigh all rights — including the most fundamental one — equally.

His forward-thinking work now includes a global lens. Through Global Action on Gun Violence, he’s expanding the conversation to human rights courts, international law, and cross-border accountability. Countries like Mexico, Jamaica, and Canada are seeing 70–90% of their crime guns coming from the U.S.– not through legal sales, but through illicit trafficking. And Jonathan is helping these nations take legal action to protect their citizens and uphold their sovereign laws.

At the heart of Jonathan’s success is a mindset that we champion every day at the C-SUITE NETWORK™: Disruption for the sake of impact. He’s not afraid to challenge institutions. He’s also not afraid to listen, admit he doesn’t have all the answers, or learn from those he disagrees with.

That humility is what makes him not just a legal warrior, but a true leader.

What I loved most was Jonathan’s commitment to collaboration. He understands that solving gun violence, or any complex problem, requires unexpected alliances. Whether it’s linking gun policy to the fentanyl crisis or drawing connections between gun trafficking and forced migration, he’s constantly seeking solutions that go beyond soundbites. He’s forging partnerships across political, legal, and cultural lines and doing it all with unwavering focus.

I ended our conversation more inspired than ever. Jonathan Lowy embodies what it means to be a purpose-driven leader. His work reminds us that leadership isn’t about being right. It’s about doing what’s right, even when it’s hard, even when you stand alone, and especially when it matters most.

To those navigating difficult industries, complex stakeholder relationships, or seemingly intractable problems—Jonathan offers a playbook: Lead with resilience. Be open to learning. Never stop listening. And always keep moving forward.

What will you learn today that will help you move forward?

Watch the full interview on C-Suite TV.

Categories
Case Studies Geopolitics and History Leadership

The Day America Became the World’s Conscience

The Day America Became the World’s Conscience

There was no parade.
There was no grand ceremony, no voice from heaven, no banner that unfurled declaring a new era.

The day America became the world’s conscience was not a moment of triumph.
It was a moment of unbearable grief.

It was the day the gates of Buchenwald swung open, and American soldiers — farm boys from Iowa, factory hands from Pittsburgh, sons of immigrants from Brooklyn — walked into the unspeakable.

It was the day the air of Europe reeked of death, and the myth of Western civilization lay shattered amidst the broken bodies and hollow eyes.

It was the day when generals hardened by the blood of a thousand battles wept openly, not for fallen comrades, but for strangers whose humanity had been stripped from them while the world watched and bartered and delayed.

It was the day when America, young and imperfect, realized that survival alone was not enough.

That neutrality was not virtue.
That victory was not glory.
That power demanded conscience, or it would become the next tyrant in new clothes.

America had not sought this role.
It had bickered, resisted, pleaded for neutrality.
It had built walls of oceans and imagined itself immune.

But conscience is not a matter of election.
It is a matter of revelation.

When the truth is finally seen — when the pit of human cruelty yawns open and you recognize it for what it is — you either step forward, or you betray not only others, but yourself.

On that day, amid the stench of a liberated death camp, amid the smoldering ruins of a broken continent, America’s destiny pivoted.

It was no longer just the Republic of Jefferson and Lincoln.
It was no longer just the refuge of the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free.

It became the reluctant guardian of ideals too important to leave in European hands alone.

Freedom.
Human dignity.
The sacred worth of every single life.

It would fail at times.
It would stumble, sometimes grievously, sometimes arrogantly.

It became, whether it wished to or not, the outer conscience of a wounded world — the voice that must remember when others wish to forget, act when others tremble, carry hope even when it is heavy.

From that day through to this very time, America carried not just its own dreams, but the broken dreams of others, relied upon as a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, also advantage taken by most.

Defeating Nazi-ism was and is not America’s glory.t was America’s burden.

It remains so today.

And it will remain so until the world no longer needs a conscience borrowed from another—

until humanity itself, fully awake, carries it together.

Categories
Economics Geopolitics and History News and Politics

When Open Hands Become Clenched Fists

The Ungrateful World

When Open Hands Become Clenched Fists

For decades, the United States of America has stood as the reluctant yet reliable pillar holding up the world’s wobbling hopes. When typhoons decimated islands, it was U.S. planes that roared across oceans, dropping aid. When famine strangled nations, it was the American taxpayer—never consulted, never thanked—who unknowingly fed starving children oceans away. When war birthed millions of refugees, it was U.S. agencies that set up shelters, clinics, and clean water systems in the chaos. America didn’t just open its wallet; it signed the check, mailed the supplies, deployed the boots, and carried the burden.

And now that same world, whose trembling hands were once stretched in desperate gratitude, dares to clench its fists in indignation because the United States—after pouring trillions into foreign assistance—is pulling back?

Let’s be clear: The United States has not abandoned the world. The world has grown far too comfortable draining American generosity like a bottomless well—without refilling it, respecting it, or even acknowledging it.

Decades of Generosity, Measured in Billions

Between 2008 and 2023, the United States gave more in foreign aid than the next five donors combined. In 2024 alone, over $77 billion was allocated in foreign assistance, spanning food relief, education, healthcare, refugee resettlement, infrastructure, and governance reforms in over 150 countries. Not from obligation. Not from profit. But because it was the right thing to do.

Let’s talk specifics:

  • United Nations: The U.S. covered 22% of the UN’s regular budget and 27% of peacekeeping operations—by far the largest share.

  • World Health Organization: The U.S. delivered $958 million to WHO programs in 2024-25.

  • USAID: Deployed over $32 billion in 2024 alone to provide aid in more than 100 global crises.

  • World Food Programme, UNHCR, UNICEF: Billions in voluntary contributions flowed from the U.S., year after year, quietly propping up the world’s most desperate programs.

Meanwhile, many of the critics raising their eyebrows now contributed a mere fraction—some barely a percentage point of their GDPs—to these same efforts. They now cry betrayal because the hand that has fed them unceasingly has momentarily paused.

The Global Freeloading Problem

It’s time we stop pretending the rest of the world has pulled its weight.

The United States’ foreign aid makes up more than 40% of all tracked humanitarian relief under the UN. In contrast, countries like China—who love to play the global peacemaker on paper—remain conspicuously silent when it comes time to cut checks. Russia, whose military ambitions remain well-funded, has little to show in humanitarian investment. Even wealthy European nations, though more generous as a percentage of GDP, rarely match U.S. contributions in absolute terms. Yet they find no shame in wagging fingers from their glass houses.

Let’s not forget the absurdity: the same nations that depend on U.S. aid to stabilize their neighborhoods, backstop their health programs, or rebuild their infrastructure are the ones now criticizing America’s strategic recalibration.

When Charity is Mistaken for Obligation

America’s foreign aid wasn’t written in the stars—it was a conscious choice, born out of post-WWII leadership and Cold War strategy, reinforced by moral responsibility and humanitarian conviction. But at no point did it become a legally binding duty for the U.S. to bankroll the failures of corrupt regimes, carry the weight of entire continents, or absorb the world’s crises without end.

This growing sense of entitlement, not gratitude, has become the real rot in global aid.

Nowhere is this clearer than in the melodramatic outcry over USAID’s contraction. Critics act as if the very concept of global stability rests solely on the U.S. dollar. Perhaps it has for too long. But instead of stepping up, other nations sigh in relief that the pressure won’t fall to them, choosing apathy over accountability, silence over service.

They smirk not because they’re ready to lead—but because they assume America will eventually return to cleaning up the mess.

The Reckoning Is Earned, Not Given

The bitter truth is this: if the world wants American generosity, it must match American grit. No more free passes for countries whose own leaders siphon aid into Swiss accounts while their people starve. No more applause for nations that virtue signal in climate summits but vanish when it’s time to fund disaster relief. No more patience for the ungrateful elite who tweet outrage from first-class cabins while doing nothing to solve global suffering themselves.

If the United States decides to shift gears—to demand outcomes for its aid, to reduce its footprint, to prioritize national interest—it is not an act of abandonment. It is a long-overdue act of clarity. Because there is no justice in rewarding dependency, no sustainability in subsidizing irresponsibility.

A Final Word for the Smug Observers

To the nations rolling their eyes, shrugging shoulders, or whispering about American decline—what have you done? Where are your billions? Your rescue missions? Your refugee camps? Your planeloads of medicine?

Silence? Exactly.

It’s easy to criticize a giant when you stand safely in its shadow.

But when the giant steps back, the cold truth is exposed: the world is woefully unprepared to carry the weight it so eagerly judges.

Categories
Branding News and Politics Women In Business

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Influence-Magazine.Today Launches Historic Women of Power Global Edition Celebrating Every Woman in Business
No nominations. No application. No limits. Every woman who submits by May 31 will be featured in the most inclusive business recognition issue to date.

CLEARWATER FL — April 1, 2025Influence-Magazine.Today, in collaboration with the C-Suite Network and LeadHERship Global, is proud to announce the launch of its most expansive editorial initiative to date: the Women of Power Global Edition—a special issue dedicated to celebrating women in business from around the world. Open to all women across every sector, this edition will include every valid submission received by May 31, 2025—with no application, selection, or nomination process required, according to contributor guidelines.

This landmark issue will elevate the stories of women entrepreneurs, executives, innovators, creatives, social impact leaders, and community business builders—regardless of title, background, age, or location. From global boardrooms to rural startups, the Women of Power issue promises to redefine what inclusion in business media looks like.

“We’re not creating a shortlist—we’re opening a stage,” said David James Dunworth, Publisher of Influence-Magazine.Today. “The women transforming our world aren’t waiting for permission to lead, and they shouldn’t have to wait for permission to be seen either. This issue is a celebration of all women in business who are shaping our future in their own way.”

Participants will be featured in the globally distributed digital edition of Influence-Magazine.Today, reaching audiences across industries and continents. The editorial will include profile stories, first-person essays, and thought leadership from women of all experience levels and regions. Each participant will also benefit from expanded exposure through the magazine’s social and partner networks.

Submissions are open now at:
👉mailto:davidjdunworth@gmail.com

Women may submit original articles or opt to answer guided questions that the editorial team will transform into a full-feature profile. There is no cap on participation—every woman who submits by the May 31 deadline will be included.

Key Details:

  • Open to women worldwide across all business sectors and stages.
  • No nominations, applications, or selection process—every story counts.
  • Deadline: May 31, 2025, for inclusion in the digital feature release.
  • Full editorial support is available for submissions that require guidance.

The initiative was developed in response to the ongoing underrepresentation of women in traditional recognition platforms, which often limit inclusion to narrow categories or elite criteria. With this special issue, Influence-Magazine.Today is making a bold editorial statement: there is no such thing as too many powerful women.

 

About Influence-Magazine.Today

Influence-Magazine.Today is a global digital publication spotlighting leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and transformation. Through its thought leadership features, editorial campaigns, and community partnerships, the magazine elevates voices that drive meaningful impact across business and society. It serves a global readership of professionals, investors, policymakers, creatives, and change agents seeking insight, inspiration, and influence that matters.

 

Media Contact:
David James Dunworth | Publisher
Influence-Magazine.Today
Email: mailto:davidjdunworth@gmail.com

Website: https://Influence-Magazine.Today

Categories
Best Practices Economics Geopolitics

How Solar Cooking is Quietly Changing Lives in Rural and Displaced African Communities

Let’s talk about cooking—something most of us do every day without much thought. But for millions of families across rural and displaced communities in Africa, cooking isn’t just a routine. It’s a daily gamble with health, time, and even safety.

The fuel you cook with can change everything

Give a household safe, clean, affordable energy to cook with, and you’ll see a chain reaction: health improves, women gain back hours of their day, forests start to regenerate, children make it back to school, and families get a real shot at economic stability. That’s not an exaggeration—it’s a ripple effect that starts in the kitchen.

Right now, most families in these communities still rely on firewood and charcoal. That means thick smoke, chronic illness, endless hours spent gathering fuel (mostly by women and girls), deforestation, and a cycle of poverty that just keeps tightening.

But solar e-cooking is changing the story

These systems use solar electricity—either standalone or part of a microgrid—to power clean, efficient electric cookers. No firewood. No charcoal. No smoke. And once you’ve paid off the system, there are no ongoing fuel costs. Just sunshine.

Today, the technology is finally catching up to the need. Solar panel prices are falling. Devices are internet-connected, trackable, and repairable. Digital payment platforms let families pay in small, manageable amounts. It’s becoming more affordable, more accessible, and more realistic for the people who need it most.

And here’s the big win: these cookers don’t just reduce expenses—they give back something far more precious. Time. Dignity. Possibility 

https://www.tiktok.com/@african.nyako/video/7470516333931662622

Women don’t have to spend half the day gathering wood. Girls get to stay in school. Families breathe easier—literally. Forests around communities start to come back. And money that would’ve gone to fuel stays in the household.

What does that look like in real life?

In Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, families started using solar e-cookers through a cooperative pilot. Before that, women spent up to four hours every single day collecting wood. After adopting the cookers, cooking time dropped dramatically. Girls who used to miss school could finally attend consistently. Health clinic visits went down as smoke exposure declined. And here’s the kicker—members of the co-op got technical training, creating local jobs. Some families even turned the cookers into income-generating tools.

In Kakuma Camp, Kenya, households received solar cooking kits with mobile payment plans. The systems tracked usage and enabled real-time service adjustments. One year later, repayment rates were higher than expected. Community leaders created a maintenance team, and before long, local vendors started stocking spare parts. More people wanted in. Success bred momentum.

What about the cost?

This part surprises most people. A typical household spends around $180–$240 a year on charcoal. A solar e-cooker system costs about $400. That means a break-even point in under two and a half years—and over a five-year span, families save between $500 and $800. That’s not even counting the health benefits, time saved, or school days regained.

Still skeptical? Let’s address some common concerns.

  • “But solar cookers can’t make traditional meals.”
    Actually, they can. These devices handle simmering, steaming, boiling—you name it. They’re tested locally, and updates are based on community feedback.
  • “People won’t change how they cook.”
    They will—when it saves them hours every day. Early adopters become community influencers. Training sessions help build confidence. Culturally respectful design earns trust.
  • “These things break too easily.”
    Not anymore. Modern systems are modular, meaning individual parts can be repaired or replaced locally. Technicians are trained within the communities, spare parts are stocked, and downtime is minimal.

And here’s where it gets exciting.

We’re not just solving household problems. We’re growing local economies. Repair technicians, spare part vendors, trainers, even entrepreneurs—solar e-cooking unlocks business opportunities. Microgrids and solar power become the foundation for bigger energy access strategies.

We’re also learning in real time. Because the devices are connected, usage data tells us what’s working and where support is needed. That means smarter programs, better decisions, and greater accountability.

The financing puzzle is solving itself.

Prices have dropped, but better yet—payment models are catching up with reality. Lease-to-own setups, rotating community funds, and cooperative models are removing the affordability barrier. Ownership becomes possible. And more importantly, it becomes a source of pride.

Refugee camps are responding. Rural communities are following. Ministries are taking notice. Private investment is starting to flow. And where adoption starts, innovation follows.

What we’re seeing isn’t charity—it’s smart investment.

Every solar cooker installed eliminates toxic emissions, prevents deforestation, and protects women and girls from the dangers of fuel collection. Every dollar spent delivers measurable health outcomes, time savings, and economic gains. This isn’t about dependency. It’s about agency.

 

Everyone benefits. Families. Communities. Ecosystems. Economies.

Solar e-cooking preserves cultural cooking traditions while updating the method. It doesn’t replace identity—it strengthens it through innovation.

So, what do we do with all this momentum?

We keep going
Governments must back pilots.
Funders must step up.
Manufacturers must scale production.
Designers must prioritize user needs, not just market trends.

The opportunity is right here, right now. The tech is ready. The demand is clear. The partnerships are forming.

The only thing that delays progress is hesitation. But for those who act, the transformation is real and lasting.

Solar e-cooking isn’t a trend. It’s a turning point.

So, what’s next?

We keep pushing forward.
It’s time for governments to get behind more pilot programs—not just talk, but real support on the ground.

Funders? We need you to stop waiting for perfect and start fueling what’s already working.
Manufacturers—this is your moment to ramp up and meet the demand that’s knocking.
And for the designers out there: don’t build for the market—build for the people who are actually going to use these cookers. That’s where real change happens.

 

 

Categories
Geopolitics Geopolitics and History News and Politics

Mexico’s Border Betrayal

Mexico’s Border Betrayal

How Aiding and Abetting with Mass Migration Created Its Own Humanitarian Collapse

It didn’t have to be this way. The camps. The kidnappings. The exploitation. The aid cuts. The headlines detailed women’s screams in the jungle and children lost at sea. These tragic events are often framed as fallout from U.S. immigration policy, particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration. But that analysis overlooks a glaring truth: Mexico is not an innocent bystander in this crisis—it is a co-conspirator.

Crisis of Mexico’s Own Making

By failing to enforce its own southern border, by allowing thousands, more than likely millions to flood through from Guatemala and beyond, and by participating in soft agreements that enabled mass caravans toward the United States, Mexico invited this humanitarian disaster upon itself. The suffering now engulfing Tapachula, Mexico City, and its northern borders is not an accidental byproduct—it is the direct result of a decision to abandon sovereignty in favor of appeasement, ideology, and tacit coordination with mass migration efforts.

Mexico’s Open Door Was Never Neutral

At the heart of the crisis is a moral inversion: Mexico allowed foreign nationals to traverse its territory under the pretense of humanitarian compassion while making no serious attempt to enforce its immigration laws. It opened its borders to hundreds of thousands from Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Venezuela, and as far as India and China—not to resettle them, but to facilitate their movement toward the United States.

That’s not neutrality. That’s strategic collusion.

And Yet—The United States Screamed Warnings for Four Years

To be clear: the migrant crisis was not born under Trump. It was magnified and militarized under the Biden Administration, whose policies—by design—opened the floodgates to every sort of illegal alien, from economic migrants to traffickers and cartel-linked individuals. The border wasn’t just neglected. It was strategically dismantled. Entire federal systems were turned into conveyor belts of entry, not gates of defense.

This was not theoretical. It was televised. It was debated. It was condemned—loudly and consistently by the U.S. Conservative movement, whose cries and concerns were broadcast across international media, congressional hearings, community town halls, and border state press conferences.

The entire world saw it coming. And yet, Mexico did nothing.

Despite the chaos spilling over the Rio Grande, despite the massive increase in irregular crossings, and the cries of U.S. governors declaring states of emergency, Mexico refused to adopt, enforce, or take accountability for the crisis it was helping to manage, facilitate, and expand. The number of violent gang members as well as other evil perpetrators of illegal entry to the US created rape, sexual assault, murder, robbery, and theft that could have been avoided if there wasn’t complicity. Economic costs are only a part of the issue on both sides, but the Biden Administration as well as the complicity of Mexican leadership are now paying the price of this invasion.

Some hint that the coyotes, the human traffickers that profited by getting illegals to the US Southern Border are linked, and controlling the government of Mexico and other countries supporting this catastrophe.

It is no longer acceptable to blame the resulting suffering solely on American deterrence. What we are witnessing is Mexico paying the cost for its willful abdication of national responsibility. Every migrant in limbo in Tapachula, every woman violated in the Darién Gap, and every orphan on the street in Tuxtla Gutierrez is a life affected by a government that opened a door without preparing for the flood—and now wants sympathy for drowning in its basement.

The CBP One App Was Never a Solution—And Its Shutdown Is Irrelevant

Much has been made of the CBP One app, the legal pathway used by nearly a million migrants to schedule entry into the United States. Critics of Trump point to its shutdown as a catalyst for the current crisis. But this argument collapses on inspection.

The app was a band-aid applied to a massive bullet wound bleed. It did not prevent illegal crossings –it organized them. It did not relieve Mexico of its duties—it incentivized passivity. And when it was inevitably shut down, Mexico had no backup plan, no infrastructure, and no policy muscle to respond. Why? Because it had already handed over its migration strategy to American political cycles.

Mexico’s current turmoil isn’t due to CBP One’s termination. It’s due to Mexico relying on a foreign app instead of a national border.

Self-Inflicted Suffering: Predictable, Preventable, and Political

Let’s be clear: The migrant crisis engulfing Mexico is real, brutal, and heartrending. The sexual violence, the mental trauma, the destitution—these are all documented. But these tragedies are not merely “side effects” of American policies—they are self-inflicted wounds caused by Mexico’s failure to:

  1. Enforce its southern border with Guatemala.
  2. Dismantle illegal transit networks instead of turning a blind eye.
  3. Reject the narrative that it’s just a “transit country” with no responsibility.
  4. Develop and implement a sustainable national migration policy.
  5. Refuse participation in public relations theater with the United Nations or global NGOs that push ideological open-border frameworks without offering durable resettlement options.

Mexico chose political expedience over national coherence. And now, the people suffer. Not just the migrants. The Mexican citizens of Chiapas and Oaxaca, whose communities have been destabilized. The Mexican police, forced into violent confrontations. The cities stretched to their economic and social breaking points.

This is what the abdication of sovereign enforcement looks like. And it is not noble—it is negligent.

Cartels, Corruption, and the Consequences of Complicity

The report highlights how migrants are routinely kidnapped and extorted by cartels. It also describes how local police routinely abuse them. These are not isolated incidents; they are systemic symptoms of a state that let the wolves in through the front gate of the entire farm.

Every time a migrant is ransomed, raped, or robbed; it is a reminder that Mexico’s permissiveness fed criminal ecosystems. It handed human lives over to organized crime by creating a pipeline with no guardrails. Now, with foreign aid drying up and NGOs retreating, the vacuum is being filled by those most willing to profit from despair.

This is not a crisis of resources—it’s a crisis of responsibility.

The Fantasy of Repatriation and the Cost of Naivety

Mexico now finds itself in a surreal position: attempting to organize repatriation programs for people it never should have let in. Programs like the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) run by the International Organization for Migration sound nice in theory. But the reality is that most migrants are undocumented, impoverished, and unwilling to return—either for fear of persecution or lack of options.

Mexico can’t even get its consular coordination to work, let alone enforce border policy for others. As aired reports illustrate, discrimination against non-Spanish speakers, the absence of translators, and bureaucratic chaos make resettlement nearly impossible. The result is a legally and morally unsustainable status quo: thousands of stateless individuals, all trapped in the country that invited them in but cannot now protect or process them.

The Moral Clarity of Borders

Here’s what the global commentariat won’t say: borders are not just lines on maps—they are moral boundaries. When a nation refuses to enforce them, it doesn’t just lose control over territory—it loses the ability to care for people properly. No nation can serve as a corridor and a caretaker simultaneously. Mexico tried—and failed.

Trump’s policies may be politically polarizing, but they sent a clear message: national security begins at national borders. Mexico sent the opposite message—and now faces a human catastrophe of its design.

To Mexico: The Bill Has Come Due

It’s time for Mexico to stop pretending it is merely a “victim of Trump” and start reckoning with its complicity in the chaos. It is not noble to let people flood through jungles, deserts, and cartel checkpoints with no plan and no promise. It is not humanitarian to facilitate human trafficking with a wink and a nod.

Mexico’s open-door policy was not compassionate. It was cowardly. And now, having enabled the migration surge, it must confront the consequences: overwhelmed shelters, cartel violence, destroyed families, economic strain, and international embarrassment.

This is not America’s fault. This is not CBP One’s fault. This is Mexico’s fault.

Despite the chaos spilling over the Rio Grande, despite the massive increase in irregular crossings, and the cries of U.S. governors declaring states of emergency, Mexico refused to adopt, enforce, or take accountability for the crisis it was helping to manage, facilitate, and expand.

To Mexico: The Bill Has Come Due

Mexico’s open-door policy was not compassionate. It was cowardly. And now, having enabled the migration surge, it must confront the consequences: overwhelmed shelters, cartel violence, destroyed families, economic strain, and international embarrassment.

This is not America’s fault. This is not CBP One’s fault.

This is Mexico’s fault—and the Biden Administration’s strategy of national self-destruction only made it worse.

Image Credit: The Guardian

Opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect any on this platform

 

Categories
Geopolitics Geopolitics and History Management

“Aid in Orgs in Meltdown – Stop Blaming the U.S.”

“Aid in Orgs in Meltdown – Stop Blaming the U.S.”

The real crisis isn’t the aid freeze—it’s decades of financial mismanagement finally catching up.

The crocodile tears are flowing, disgruntled fingers are wagging, angry voices are rebuking, and the world is supposed to sympathize with the humanitarian organizations now scrambling, floundering, and collapsing under the weight of their own incompetence. It’s natural to anguish, feel highly emotional pain, and be distraught for the poor souls caught up in conflict, abuse, abysmal refugee camps, and starving victims of war. I get that and feel it, too.

There IS a vital need for assistance. But that’s not this story’s topic.

It’s about those who “lead” these outfits I have a big beef with.

The U.S. turns off the aid faucet, and suddenly, there’s a full-blown crisis. Refugee programs are gutted. Food aid is stalled. Medical supplies are in limbo. Staff are laid off in droves. But let’s ask the hard question: Why?

Because these organizations built their entire existence on a single revenue source, they had no control over U.S. foreign aid. Instead of ensuring financial sustainability, they hijacked U.S. taxpayer money while making little effort to diversify, innovate, or prepare for the inevitable. And now? They’re blaming the donor instead of themselves.

Failures of Leadership, Failures of Planning, and Utter Dependence

Let’s look at the wreckage:

  • Texas’s Largest Immigrant Legal Aid Group Collapses Overnight – RAICES, Texas’s biggest immigration legal aid organization, just laid off 63 employees because the federal aid faucet was turned off.
    • Their business model? Total reliance on government money.
    • Their plan B? Nonexistent.
    • So, instead of being proactive, they’re slashing jobs and playing the victim.
  • International Aid Groups Cry Wolf After Failing to Budget Responsibly – Organizations like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Catholic Relief Services, and the Danish Refugee Council are slashing thousands of jobs. But let’s be clear: These are multi-million-dollar nonprofits that have existed for decades. They had every opportunity to build endowments, create alternative funding streams, and implement self-sustaining models. Instead, they gambled their entire workforce on continued U.S. handouts. Now, their people pay the price.
  • Orphanages Running Out of Medicine- Because They Put All Their Faith in a Single Donor – In Kenya, the Nyumbani Children’s Home is running out of antiretroviral medicine for HIV-positive orphans because USAID funding was halted. This is tragic, but it’s also a colossal failure of leadership. How does a facility responsible for vulnerable children fail to secure diverse, sustainable funding for life-saving medicine? The only reason they are in this situation is that they chose dependency over financial stability.
  • Ethiopia’s Aid Sector ‘Shocked’– Despite Decades to Prepare – USAID funding has been a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s humanitarian efforts for years. But instead of using that time to build resilience, engage new donors, and develop alternative revenue sources, aid agencies let themselves become 100% reliant on a foreign government’s budget choices. Now that the money’s stopped, they’re acting surprised. Shocked. Unprepared. And utterly lost.
  • NGOs in Somalia Blaming the S. Instead of Themselves – The U.S. aid freeze has immobilized NGOs in Somalia that serve internally displaced persons. The media will say it’s a tragedy. But let’s ask the real question: What were these organizations doing to diversify funding while they had years of financial stability? Were they actively building a donor network? Creating community partnerships? Monetizing services where possible? Or were they just waiting for the next round of aid checks?

The same stories are playing out again and again. Entire organizations crumbling overnight because their executives–who many, many are paid six and seven-figure salaries to lead­ did nothing to ensure long-term viability.

The Real Crisis Is a Lack of Leadership

The issue here isn’t the aid freeze-it’s the sheer negligence and financial irresponsibility of these organizations.

If you are running a nonprofit, an NGO, or a humanitarian organization and your survival hinges entirely on whether or not U.S. aid money keeps coming in, you are not leading-you are just waiting for the next handout. And waiting is not a strategy.

The worst part? These failures were completely avoidable.

Eight Essential Revenue Streams for Survival & Growth

If these organizations had any sense of financial stewardship, they would have developed multiple income sources years ago. Here’s what every NGO should be focusing on Ten:

  1. Individual, One-Time Donors – These are most widely dependent upon small, local, or regional donors and are often the primary source of funding for startups but should never be ignored.
  2. Major Donors & Private Philanthropy- High-net-worth individuals, corporations, and impact investors should be a core part of any nonprofit’s funding strategy. Instead of whining about lost government aid, why weren’t these organizations actively courting sustainable private donors?
  3. Monthly Recurring Giving Programs – Organizations that rely on government money often ignore direct community support. Monthly giving programs create a predictable revenue stream. Where were the donor retention efforts? Where was the digital engagement?
  4. Grants from Diverse Sources (Not Just the U.S. Government) – These organizations acted as though USAID was the only grant funding available. What about corporate grants? European Union humanitarian grants? International development foundations?
  5. Earned Income & Social Enterprises – Every major NGO should have some revenue-generating activities. Whether it’s selling ethical products, running a skills­ training program with paid tuition, or licensing intellectual property, revenue should not be 100% dependent on donations.
  6. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships – Businesses are looking for meaningful CSR (corporate social responsibility). Why weren’t these NGOs partnering with brands that align with their missions?
  7. Investment & Endowment Strategies – Any serious nonprofit should have a financial cushion through investment funds and endowments. Where did all their previous years of funding go? Where’s the reserve? Where’s the financial planning?
  8. Crowdfunding & Digital Fundraising Campaigns – In the age of the internet, digital fundraising should be a primary year-round strategy, not an afterthought. If an organization can’t rally global grassroots donors before a crisis hits, that’s a failure of planning.

This Isn’t a U.S. Problem- It’s an Accountability Problem

Enough with the sob stories. Enough with the woe-is-me headlines. Enough with the blame game.

The U.S. is not responsible for the survival of these organizations. They were responsible for themselves. And they failed.

The organizations that collapse due to this aid freeze are not victims of injustice. They are victims of their financial incompetence.

The lesson here is simple: If you are in charge of a nonprofit, humanitarian group, or faith­ based organization, and you’re still betting your survival on the hope that government funding will continue indefinitely, you are committing professional malpractice.

And when your organization collapses under the weight of your mismanagement, don’t blame the donor. Blame yourself.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

 I have been involved with the nonprofit, foundation, humanitarian, and ministry sectors for decades. I have lived in numerous places in the US, England, Greenland, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Ecuador, and Uganda. Some of that time, I was in military service, but all of my life, I have been a person of service to others.

That is why I am so outraged at the world’s talking heads fixing the blame on this country that has been the majority source of humanitarian aid than any other country in the history of the world.

Now that we are getting right with the internal affairs of corruption, greed, malfeasance, mismanagement, and lack of accountability, the open hands are up in arms. Well, I say, Shame on You; DOUBLE SHAME ON YOU!

Get your houses in order, and do something about abhorent mismanagement, loss, malfeasance, and waste in your houses, and maybe, just maybe, some good can come out of this.

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Geopolitics Geopolitics and History News and Politics

An Open Letter URGENT PLEA TO THE GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY: JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF PEACEKEEPING ABUSES

An Open Letter

URGENT PLEA TO THE GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY

JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF PEACEKEEPING ABUSES

To the Esteemed Leaders of the Humanitarian World,

The world has watched in silence for too long. We have documented the horrors, recorded the testimonies, and reported the unthinkable crimes. Yet, the impunity of those entrusted to protect, stabilize, and bring peace continues unchecked. Today, I write to you not just as a journalist, but as a witness to the profound betrayal suffered by the very people these forces were sworn to protect.

The atrocities committed by United Nations peacekeeping forces across multiple regions—Haiti, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and beyond—have long been the subject of damning reports. The abuses are well-documented: sexual exploitation, violence against civilians, and the reckless loss of life. Similarly, the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), now transitioning into the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), has left a legacy marred by unconscionable war crimes.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Somalia, where AMISOM troops, including those from Uganda, have been implicated in grave human rights violations. The recent revelations of mass executions—where civilians were reportedly murdered and their bodies deliberately exploded en masse—represent a new depth of cruelty that demands an immediate international response. These crimes go beyond the battlefield; they strike at the heart of our shared human conscience.

We cannot allow peacekeeping forces to operate as occupying armies above the law. We cannot allow governments funding these missions—including Uganda’s military leadership and other contributing nations—to escape scrutiny under the veil of diplomatic immunity. This is not peacekeeping; this is terror in uniform.

Where are the courts? Where is the justice for the victims? Where is the international community’s demand for accountability? If peacekeeping forces are to maintain legitimacy, they must be held to the highest standard, not the lowest. It is time for world governments, humanitarian organizations, and civil society to take definitive action:

  1. Immediate Independent Investigations – A neutral, international body must be granted full access to investigate the crimes reported in Somalia and beyond. Governments contributing troops to AU peacekeeping forces must open their records and cooperate fully with inquiries.
  2. Criminal Prosecution of Perpetrators – The chain of command responsible for these war crimes, from foot soldiers to commanding officers, must face prosecution in international courts. No amnesty, no diplomatic cover-ups.
  3. Sanctions Against Complicit Governments – Nations that continue to provide troops and resources to peacekeeping operations without enforcing discipline must face tangible consequences. Financial and diplomatic sanctions must be imposed on regimes that shield war criminals.
  4. Victim Reparations and Acknowledgment – Those who have suffered must be recognized, compensated, and given justice. Families of the slain deserve more than silence; they deserve accountability and restitution.

This letter is a plea to the world’s conscience. If those charged with upholding peace are the very perpetrators of horror, then the global humanitarian community must be the voice that demands their reckoning. The integrity of international peacekeeping is at stake. The dignity of innocent civilians in conflict zones is at stake. Our very humanity is at stake.

To all organizations and individuals dedicated to justice, now is the time to act. Now is the time to demand accountability. Now is the time to ensure that peacekeeping does not become a mask for impunity.

Justice must not wait. The world must not turn away.

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Case Studies Geopolitics News and Politics

The Democratic Republic of Congo: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding

The Democratic Republic of Congo: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolding

Introduction

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again at the center of a worsening humanitarian crisis, caught in the throes of escalating armed conflict, political instability, and a sharp decline in international support. The resurgence of the M23 rebel group, backed by foreign interests, has led to the rapid fall of strategic cities like Goma, a critical humanitarian hub (1). The conflict has displaced millions, overwhelmed aid organizations, and left communities struggling for survival in the absence of basic resources (2). At the same time, the abrupt cessation of U.S. foreign aid—historically a lifeline for humanitarian efforts—has compounded an already dire situation (3).

This article examines the intersection of intensified conflict, the collapse of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the cessation of USAID funding. It dissects how these crises feed into each other and what they signal for the future of international aid in the region. By exploring the immediate and long-term humanitarian implications, this analysis sheds light on the evolving challenges in the DRC, the limitations of global response mechanisms, and the prospects for meaningful intervention amid systemic breakdowns.

  1. Escalation of Conflict in Eastern DRC

Resurgence of M23 Rebels

The resurgence of the M23 rebel group has once again plunged eastern DRC into violent turmoil, exacerbating an already fragile security situation. Originally formed by former Congolese soldiers who mutinied in 2012, the M23 rebels have re-emerged as a dominant armed faction, rapidly advancing through strategic regions and capturing key cities, including Goma (4). Despite years of ceasefire negotiations, the group’s latest offensive has showcased a well-coordinated military strategy, leveraging sophisticated weaponry, strategic positioning, and alleged external support from neighboring Rwanda—a claim that Kigali continues to deny despite mounting evidence (5).

The seizure of Goma, a vital economic and humanitarian hub, underscores the extent of the group’s resurgence. The rebel forces quickly overwhelmed the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and outmaneuvered UN peacekeepers stationed in the region, leading to accusations of inaction against MONUSCO, the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in the DRC (6). The loss of Goma has had profound geopolitical implications, forcing Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi to intensify diplomatic efforts to rally regional and international support (7).

Humanitarian Impact

The rapid escalation of violence has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe, displacing over a million civilians and leaving tens of thousands without access to food, clean water, or medical assistance (8). Makeshift camps in and around Goma have been overwhelmed, with aid organizations struggling to provide basic necessities. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported that at least 350,000 displaced individuals remain without shelter following the destruction of temporary camps, forcing many to take refuge in churches, schools, and abandoned buildings (9).

The scale of human suffering is staggering. Mass displacements have led to an increase in gender-based violence, child exploitation, and outbreaks of disease, as overcrowded conditions and inadequate sanitation create breeding grounds for cholera and respiratory infections (10).

III. Collapse of NGOs and Humanitarian Operations

Operational Challenges

The escalating violence in eastern DRC has crippled the ability of humanitarian organizations to operate effectively. Armed conflict, targeted attacks on aid workers, and widespread insecurity have forced many NGOs to either scale down or completely halt their operations (11).

Aid groups have reported growing threats to their personnel, with several humanitarian workers killed, kidnapped, or forcibly displaced (12). In June 2024, two staff members from Tearfund were ambushed and killed in Butembo while transporting supplies, underscoring the dangers faced by those attempting to provide relief (13).

Corruption and Mismanagement

Beyond security challenges, internal corruption and mismanagement have also contributed to the collapse of NGO operations. Investigative reports have revealed widespread fraud within international and local aid agencies, undermining the effectiveness of relief efforts (14).

A 2020 investigation by The New Humanitarian uncovered extensive corruption in aid operations, detailing instances of fraud, bribery, and misallocation of funds (15). In 2024, an investigation into GiveDirectly revealed fraudulent activities that left many recipients in debt and financial distress (16).

  1. Cessation of USAID Funding

The decision by the Trump administration to suspend U.S. foreign aid has dismantled key programs and crippled relief efforts. In early 2025, President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on USAID funding, halting food assistance programs, medical supply chains, and emergency relief efforts across Africa (17).

Among the most devastating impacts is the collapse of food assistance initiatives, which has left thousands of displaced families without access to sustenance. With aid convoys unable to deliver rations, refugee camps in eastern DRC have faced severe shortages (18).

Citations

  1. wsj.com – Rwanda-Backed Rebels Enter Congo Safe-Haven City, Aid Hub (Jan. 27, 2025)
  2. reuters.com – UN refugee agency says Congo fighting leaves 350,000 with no shelter (Feb. 14, 2025)
  3. reuters.com – Congo humanitarian operations hit hard by Trump aid pause, says UN official (Feb. 11, 2025)
  4. apnews.com – Rwanda-backed rebels take more towns as they expand (Jan. 28, 2025)
  5. reuters.com – Rubio tells Rwandan president that US wants a ceasefire in Congo (Jan. 28, 2025)
  6. au.int – AU Peace and Security Council emergency summit on DRC crisis (Jan. 28, 2025)
  7. cfr.org – America’s Disastrous Foreign Aid Withdrawal (Feb. 5, 2025)
  8. cgdev.org – Which countries are stepping up after US aid cuts? (Feb. 2025)
  9. thenewhumanitarian.org – New Congo aid corruption report (June 11, 2020)
  10. un.org – Women-led Peace Huts Resolve conflicts in Eastern DRC (2025)
  11. who.int – WHO Emergency Update on Disease X in DRC (2024)
  12. cidrap.umn.edu – US Funding Pause Impedes Mpox Response in DR Congo (Jan. 29, 2025)
  13. thinkglobalhealth.org – Preparing for Disease X: Lessons from the DRC (2025)
  14. nypost.com – Mystery Deadly ‘Disease X’ Spreads in Congo as WHO Struggles to Trace Origin (Dec. 9, 2024)
  15. news.mongabay.com – Across the world, conservation projects reel after abrupt US funding cuts (Feb. 2025)
  16. life-peace.org – Life & Peace Institute’s conflict transformation work in the DRC (2025)
  17. tearfund.org – Two aid workers killed in Butembo attack (June 2024)
  18. apnews.com – Congolese religious leaders meet with M23 rebels to discuss peace solutions (Feb. 2025)

 

 

Categories
Geopolitics and History Leadership News and Politics

Leadership Failures of Global Humanitarian Aid

Leadership Failures of Global Humanitarian Aid

Humanitarian leadership stands at the crossroads of crisis and hope, where decisions shape the survival and dignity of millions. Yet, despite the vast networks of international aid, deep fractures remain in the systems meant to alleviate suffering. The gap between intention and impact is often widened by leadership failures that perpetuate inefficiencies, inequities, and missed opportunities. These failures are not simply errors in execution but foundational weaknesses in the very structures governing humanitarian response—shortcomings that result in preventable suffering, misallocation of resources, and the marginalization of those most affected by crises.

At the heart of the problem lies a pattern of systemic neglect, where global leadership frequently prioritizes centralized control over localized solutions, bureaucratic procedures over urgent responsiveness, and political interests over humanitarian imperatives. The result is a landscape where well-funded initiatives falter due to mismanagement, where frontline responders are left unsupported, and where the voices of those in need are drowned out by competing agendas.

IMAGE CREDIT: devex.shorthandstories.com

This analysis examines the cracks in the foundation of humanitarian leadership, identifying the patterns of dysfunction that continue to hinder progress. While the symptoms of these failures are visible in every unfolding crisis, the deeper issues often remain unaddressed. Without confronting these fundamental weaknesses, the humanitarian sector risks perpetuating the very suffering it seeks to alleviate.

  1. Failures of Leadership and Strategic Direction
  • Lack of Vision and Coordination: The humanitarian system appears to be reactive rather than proactive, struggling to articulate its relevance and effectively navigate a fragmented global landscape. The focus on buzzwords like “efficiency” and “value for money” signals a defensive posture rather than a forward-looking strategy.
  • Token Promises without Structural Change: Leadership’s reliance on efficiency drives and anti-bureaucracy rhetoric often fails to translate into meaningful improvements. Promises of reform, such as the Grand Bargain, have repeatedly under-delivered, eroding trust within and outside the sector.
  • Politicization of Aid: Leadership has not effectively addressed the growing politicization of aid funding. Dependence on a narrow donor base, particularly the United States, leaves humanitarian organizations vulnerable to political volatility, such as Trump’s return and the global rise of right-wing, inward-looking administrations.
    1. Imbalanced Power Dynamics
    • Marginalization of Local Actors: Despite rhetoric around “localization,” local humanitarian groups remain underfunded and undervalued, despite evidence of their cost-effectiveness (e.g., 32% more efficient in Ukraine). International agencies often monopolize resources, credibility, and decision-making authority.
    • Token Support for Mutual Aid: While grassroots efforts like Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs) demonstrate success, global agencies often co-opt or tokenize these initiatives rather than providing substantive support. This creates an impression of leveraging grassroots credibility without fostering genuine empowerment or equitable partnerships.
    1. Duty of Care Failures
    • Neglect of Frontline Staff: The humanitarian sector exhibits significant inequities in duty-of-care standards. Local staff and organizations, who bear the brunt of frontline risks, often lack basic protections like evacuation plans and insurance, leading to the perception of their disposability. This double standard underscores a lack of genuine commitment to safeguarding those most exposed to danger.
    • Mental Health and Long-Term Support: The absence of comprehensive mental health support for aid workers reflects a failure to recognize the human cost of humanitarian work. High-profile cases, such as the Steve Dennis lawsuit, highlight systemic gaps in duty of care, yet meaningful change remains slow.
    1. Inadequate Adaptation to Climate and Conflict Challenges
    • Fragmented Approaches: Humanitarian leadership has failed to adequately integrate climate, conflict, and development efforts, perpetuating a siloed approach. Theoretical discussions on the “nexus” between these sectors often lack actionable frameworks and tangible results.
    • Missed Opportunities in Climate Finance: While seeking access to climate funding, humanitarian leaders have not sufficiently demonstrated their unique value or articulated how they can prevent exacerbating local tensions. This undermines trust among donors and local communities alike.
    1. Inequitable and Ineffective Aid Allocation
    • Earmarked Funding and Political Bias: Donor preferences for “favored emergencies” perpetuate inequalities, leaving vulnerable populations in less politically palatable regions underserved. For example, communities governed by authorities estranged from Western donors are routinely overlooked.
    • Disproportionate Cuts to Women and Girls’ Services: Systematic funding cuts disproportionately affect services for women and girls, reflecting a lack of prioritization for gender equity despite its critical role in building resilient communities.
    1. Perpetuation of Systemic Inequities
    • Lip Service to Localization: Localization efforts are undermined by superficial implementation. Global agencies maintain hierarchical power structures, focusing on meeting their operational needs rather than addressing inequities in resource distribution and decision-making power.
    • Lack of Accountability for Donors and Agencies: The humanitarian sector has failed to hold itself or its donors accountable for underperformance, impunity, and double standards in aid delivery. For instance, governments supporting Israel have largely ignored its role in aid worker killings, highlighting a glaring lack of policy consistency.

    Recommendations for Leadership and Reform

    • Shift Power Dynamics: Establish equitable partnerships with local actors by decentralizing decision-making and ensuring direct, sustainable funding for local and grassroots organizations.
    • Reinforce Duty of Care: Develop enforceable global standards for protecting and supporting all aid workers, particularly local staff. Integrate mental health support and long-term recovery plans as core elements of humanitarian operations.
    • Rethink Funding Models: Diversify the donor base to reduce reliance on politically volatile funding sources. Advocate for funding mechanisms that prioritize need and equity over political agendas.
    • Integrate Climate, Conflict, and Development Strategies: Move beyond theoretical discussions by implementing coordinated, cross-sectoral programming that addresses the interlinked challenges of climate change, conflict, and development.
    • Foster Accountability and Transparency: Implement stronger accountability mechanisms for both donors and aid agencies. Publicly disclose funding allocations and their alignment with equity goals to rebuild trust.

    By addressing these failures, global humanitarian leadership can realign its mission to better serve the needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations while restoring credibility and relevance in a changing global landscape.