Jo Biden told a meeting of Democrats yesterday that the risk of use of nuclear weapons is the highest since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.[1] The President warned that for the “First time since the Cuban missile crisis, we have a direct threat of the use nuclear weapon if in fact things continue …
Peacemaking
Afghanistan and the UK – One Year On from the Fall Of Kabul
One year ago, it was reported that the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, had fled the country. In April 2022, President Biden had announced his intention of fully withdrawing of US troops from Afghanistan. Subsequently, the Taliban’s attacks across the country intensified and a number of …
Public morality and private profit: the case of nuclear weapons
On 21st June governments and civil society representatives from across the globe assemble in Vienna for the first meeting of State Parties of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The event will see the gathering of State representatives (Ministers and Diplomats) alongside city …
How can we help Ukraine?
The tragic conflict in Ukraine has swiftly become a crisis on multiple levels. As well as the direct casualties of war, the humanitarian crisis within the country is escalating, as many are trapped in bunkers and underground stations without food and access to fresh water. Over one million people …
A prayer for Ukraine
The Joint Public Issues Team has released a prayer for Ukraine. We have also gathered links to other resources that might help you and your congregation as we pray and seek peace together. God of all, with alarm and concern we bring before you the military intervention in Ukraine. In a world …
“We affirm that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”
On Monday, Russia, United States, China, UK and France came together to state that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. The ‘Reagan Gorbachev principle’, as it has become known, may seem to be a fairly obvious truth. But this is the first time that these five nuclear weapons …
Afghanistan – what will the future hold?
It seems that the long-running 20 year military campaign in Afghanistan has come to an abrupt end, creating huge apprehension for what might come next. Those in Afghanistan who have been active in supporting the US/UK backed governments of Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani fear for the future of the …
Statement from Church leaders on the UK Government announcement on warhead numbers
Church leaders across 7 denominations, including the Methodist Church, have today made the following statement following the publication of the Government’s integrated review of foreign and defence policies: “The Government’s decision in the integrated review of defence, security and foreign …
Celebrate with us as nuclear weapons are banned under an international treaty
Today is a day of celebration for the Joint Public Issues Team and other advocates for peace around the globe, as the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) comes into legal force. For the 86 countries who have signed the Treaty, and for any more who decide to do so in the …
Advent 1: Prince of Peace
I felt like it was a dream, I told myself ‘you are not seeing this, this is not happening.’ When I was coming back there was a confrontation between the armed people and the military and I saw eight people lying dead by the side of the road, and I had to stay there for about an hour to wait for a …