Institute of Current World Affairs
@icwa.org
We advance American understanding of international cultures and affairs by sending young professionals abroad on two-year independent writing fellowships.
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Reposted by Institute of Current World Affairs
Lahaina has done the impossible & rebuilt itself after it burned to the ground.
I hope our world, which is currently on fire, can do the same.
Read my new #poem: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina.
Thank you @icwa.org & @cassmannes.bsky.social for making it happen.
#marianazos
I hope our world, which is currently on fire, can do the same.
Read my new #poem: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina.
Thank you @icwa.org & @cassmannes.bsky.social for making it happen.
#marianazos
January 23, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Lahaina has done the impossible & rebuilt itself after it burned to the ground.
I hope our world, which is currently on fire, can do the same.
Read my new #poem: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina.
Thank you @icwa.org & @cassmannes.bsky.social for making it happen.
#marianazos
I hope our world, which is currently on fire, can do the same.
Read my new #poem: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina.
Thank you @icwa.org & @cassmannes.bsky.social for making it happen.
#marianazos
Because the thing that always burns
To the ground somehow manages to rise back up,
We drive past the remains of what was
Once great and small
Excerpt from "Lahaina," a new poem by Maria Nazos @marianazos.bsky.social on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina
To the ground somehow manages to rise back up,
We drive past the remains of what was
Once great and small
Excerpt from "Lahaina," a new poem by Maria Nazos @marianazos.bsky.social on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina
Lahaina
A poem by Maria Nazos
compass.icwa.org
January 23, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Because the thing that always burns
To the ground somehow manages to rise back up,
We drive past the remains of what was
Once great and small
Excerpt from "Lahaina," a new poem by Maria Nazos @marianazos.bsky.social on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina
To the ground somehow manages to rise back up,
We drive past the remains of what was
Once great and small
Excerpt from "Lahaina," a new poem by Maria Nazos @marianazos.bsky.social on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/lahaina
In Brazil, northeastern Fortaleza's windy coast is becoming overrun by kitesurfing gringos. But the sprawling seaside city remains a bastion of, for and by Brazilians, Rowland Robinson reports: www.icwa.org/brazil-forta...
Paradise found - ICWA
In Brazil's kitesurfing capital Fortaleza, the growing tourism industry is mainly driven by foreigners, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports.
www.icwa.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:57 PM
In Brazil, northeastern Fortaleza's windy coast is becoming overrun by kitesurfing gringos. But the sprawling seaside city remains a bastion of, for and by Brazilians, Rowland Robinson reports: www.icwa.org/brazil-forta...
Nepal borders, flags and cables - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/nepal-bord...
January 21, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Nepal borders, flags and cables - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/nepal-bord...
"All my life, I have traipsed through snowy woods, seeking out and counting the little signs of spring—the magnolia buds, sprouting snowdrops and crocuses that push the snow aside." For Compass, Robert Coalson writes about small seeds of hope under ice: compass.icwa.org/p/hope-under...
Hope under ice
Seeding spring in Prague
compass.icwa.org
January 20, 2026 at 7:54 PM
"All my life, I have traipsed through snowy woods, seeking out and counting the little signs of spring—the magnolia buds, sprouting snowdrops and crocuses that push the snow aside." For Compass, Robert Coalson writes about small seeds of hope under ice: compass.icwa.org/p/hope-under...
Brazil’s largest police raid in modern history left 121 people dead, stoking fear and grinding daily life to a halt. Still, 67% of Brazilians approve of the authorities’ actions, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Rio de Janeiro: www.icwa.org/brazil-polic...
Killing for votes - ICWA
After the deadliest law enforcement raid in Brazil's history, political points seem more important than the truth, Rowland Robinson writes.
www.icwa.org
January 19, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Brazil’s largest police raid in modern history left 121 people dead, stoking fear and grinding daily life to a halt. Still, 67% of Brazilians approve of the authorities’ actions, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Rio de Janeiro: www.icwa.org/brazil-polic...
"The Iran protests are a comprehensive, national upsurge against the oppressive regime, which is bankrupt," Barry Rosen tells Compass's Robert Coalson. He predicts the regime will have to negotiate with the US to survive: compass.icwa.org/p/an-almost-...
An ‘almost revolutionary’ moment for Iran
A conversation with Barry Rosen, former US diplomat and hostage in 1979-1981
compass.icwa.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:52 PM
"The Iran protests are a comprehensive, national upsurge against the oppressive regime, which is bankrupt," Barry Rosen tells Compass's Robert Coalson. He predicts the regime will have to negotiate with the US to survive: compass.icwa.org/p/an-almost-...
An "almost revolutionary" moment for Iran: Compass speaks to Barry Rosen, former US hostage in 1979-1981, about prospects for the protests [and effects of US involvement]. compass.icwa.org/p/an-almost-...
An ‘almost revolutionary’ moment for Iran
A conversation with Barry Rosen, former US diplomat and hostage in 1979-1981
compass.icwa.org
January 15, 2026 at 8:23 PM
An "almost revolutionary" moment for Iran: Compass speaks to Barry Rosen, former US hostage in 1979-1981, about prospects for the protests [and effects of US involvement]. compass.icwa.org/p/an-almost-...
The EU strikes back at US and China with a South America free trade deal. It only took 25 years, Marco Zatterin writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/eu-strikes...
EU strikes back at US and China on trade
The European Commission’s new South American trade agreement comes more than two decades after negotiations began.
compass.icwa.org
January 14, 2026 at 6:50 PM
The EU strikes back at US and China with a South America free trade deal. It only took 25 years, Marco Zatterin writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/eu-strikes...
"I smile as I dunk a sour cream cake donut into delicious burnt coffee. New York can wear me down, but the sugar and din here tend to pick me up again." For Compass, former fellow Joshua Levkowitz pens a love letter to Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop: compass.icwa.org/p/giving-and...
Giving and receiving thanks at Peter Pan
A Brooklyn institution serves donuts as they should be made.
compass.icwa.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:19 AM
"I smile as I dunk a sour cream cake donut into delicious burnt coffee. New York can wear me down, but the sugar and din here tend to pick me up again." For Compass, former fellow Joshua Levkowitz pens a love letter to Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop: compass.icwa.org/p/giving-and...
"Riding the escalators from the Central to Mid-Levels districts & staring up at the towering office buildings & residential complexes, I was struck by the city’s vertical orientation." Former fellow @steventagle.com shares photos from a 2013 trip to Hong Kong on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/hong-kong
January 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM
"Riding the escalators from the Central to Mid-Levels districts & staring up at the towering office buildings & residential complexes, I was struck by the city’s vertical orientation." Former fellow @steventagle.com shares photos from a 2013 trip to Hong Kong on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/hong-kong
Reposted by Institute of Current World Affairs
January 7, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Reposted by Institute of Current World Affairs
In May 2013, I took my first trip to the vertically oriented city of Hong Kong. Grateful for the opportunity to revisit some of the photos I took then for @icwa.org's Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/hong-kong
January 9, 2026 at 3:59 PM
In May 2013, I took my first trip to the vertically oriented city of Hong Kong. Grateful for the opportunity to revisit some of the photos I took then for @icwa.org's Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/hong-kong
After Brazil’s largest & deadliest police raid in modern history, political points seem more important to the authorities than truth or public safety, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Rio de Janeiro: www.icwa.org/brazil-polic...
Killing for votes - ICWA
After the deadliest law enforcement raid in Brazil's history, political points seem more important than the truth, Rowland Robinson writes.
www.icwa.org
January 9, 2026 at 1:02 PM
After Brazil’s largest & deadliest police raid in modern history, political points seem more important to the authorities than truth or public safety, ICWA fellow Rowland Robinson reports from Rio de Janeiro: www.icwa.org/brazil-polic...
ICWA@100: In 1941, six years before Indian independence & shortly before his deployment in World War II, former fellow Phillips Talbot visited Mahatma Gandhi’s farm in the central village of Sevagram, where Gandhi was surrounded by a community of disciples: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-vi...
ICWA@100: Visiting Mahatma Gandhi in colonial India
Phillips Talbot spends time with the visionary leader and his community of disciples in 1941.
compass.icwa.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:53 AM
ICWA@100: In 1941, six years before Indian independence & shortly before his deployment in World War II, former fellow Phillips Talbot visited Mahatma Gandhi’s farm in the central village of Sevagram, where Gandhi was surrounded by a community of disciples: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-vi...
After the US Senate voted to end sanctions on Syria, the new state’s future is still far from certain, Andrew Tabler tells Compass's Robert Coalson: compass.icwa.org/p/end-of-us-...
End of US sanctions only a first step for new Syria
A conversation with Andrew Tabler
compass.icwa.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:35 AM
After the US Senate voted to end sanctions on Syria, the new state’s future is still far from certain, Andrew Tabler tells Compass's Robert Coalson: compass.icwa.org/p/end-of-us-...
If AI takes over, what would the future of humanity without work look like? Kuwait may be a good example, artist, teacher & former fellow @brynbarnard.bsky.social writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/kuwait-a-m...
Kuwait: a model for a world without work?
What AI may hold for all of us in the future.
compass.icwa.org
January 6, 2026 at 3:08 PM
If AI takes over, what would the future of humanity without work look like? Kuwait may be a good example, artist, teacher & former fellow @brynbarnard.bsky.social writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/kuwait-a-m...
Museums all over Paris are celebrating the centennial of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative & Industrial Arts that broadcast French style around the world & helped usher in the modern age, Elizabeth Wise writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/art-deco-m...
Art Deco mania spreads through Paris
The movement first swept the world a century ago.
compass.icwa.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Museums all over Paris are celebrating the centennial of the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative & Industrial Arts that broadcast French style around the world & helped usher in the modern age, Elizabeth Wise writes for Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/art-deco-m...
ICWA@100: Former fellow Smith Hempstone narrates an adventurous 1957 road trip from Ethiopia to Nairobi with tantalizing mentions of an interview with Emperor Haile Selassie & Vice President Richard Nixon’s visit to Ethiopia: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-ou...
ICWA@100: Out of Ethiopia
Smith Hempstone takes an adventurous road trip from Addis Ababa to Nairobi in 1957.
compass.icwa.org
December 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
ICWA@100: Former fellow Smith Hempstone narrates an adventurous 1957 road trip from Ethiopia to Nairobi with tantalizing mentions of an interview with Emperor Haile Selassie & Vice President Richard Nixon’s visit to Ethiopia: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-ou...
Reposted by Institute of Current World Affairs
Some news: I’m moving to Beirut in May! Incredibly honored and humbled for the opportunity to return to this country & region to research grassroots solutions under difficult economic & political conditions. I’ll be writing monthly dispatches for the ICWA website, so make sure to follow along!
A @nyu.edu graduate and recent Fulbright research fellow in Kyrgyzstan, journalist Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social will investigate how communities in Lebanon adapt & even thrive after breakdown, & she’ll report on wider developments in the Middle East.
December 23, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Some news: I’m moving to Beirut in May! Incredibly honored and humbled for the opportunity to return to this country & region to research grassroots solutions under difficult economic & political conditions. I’ll be writing monthly dispatches for the ICWA website, so make sure to follow along!
Reposted by Institute of Current World Affairs
Congratulations to the new @icwa.org fellows!!
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of three outstanding new fellows who will begin their fellowships next year: Mahli Knutson, Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social and Sabrina Ochoa www.icwa.org/icwa-2026-fe...
December 23, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Congratulations to the new @icwa.org fellows!!
Despite a new homeless welcome center, the 10,000+ Fortaleza residents without housing are often stuck between disorganized public services, violent gangs that limit their movement & constant petty violence between one another, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports www.icwa.org/brazil-homes...
In Brazil, a homeless center offers sanctuary with mixed results - ICWA
ICWA fellow Rowland reports from Fortaleza on a homeless welcome center that provides daily care and community.
www.icwa.org
December 29, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Despite a new homeless welcome center, the 10,000+ Fortaleza residents without housing are often stuck between disorganized public services, violent gangs that limit their movement & constant petty violence between one another, Andrew Weil Fellow Rowland Robinson reports www.icwa.org/brazil-homes...
ICWA@100: Former fellow Barbara Bright Novovitch took the pulse of young people in Czechoslovakia in early 1969, shortly after the Soviet invasion ended the Prague Spring in August 1968: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-th...
ICWA@100: The Students of Prague
Barbara Bright Novovitch takes the pulse of young people in Czechoslovakia in 1969 following the Soviet invasion.
compass.icwa.org
December 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
ICWA@100: Former fellow Barbara Bright Novovitch took the pulse of young people in Czechoslovakia in early 1969, shortly after the Soviet invasion ended the Prague Spring in August 1968: compass.icwa.org/p/icwa100-th...
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of three outstanding new fellows who will begin their fellowships next year: Mahli Knutson, Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social and Sabrina Ochoa www.icwa.org/icwa-2026-fe...
December 23, 2025 at 6:58 AM
We’re delighted to announce the appointment of three outstanding new fellows who will begin their fellowships next year: Mahli Knutson, Diana Kruzman @dkruzman.bsky.social and Sabrina Ochoa www.icwa.org/icwa-2026-fe...
Last days of the Soviet Union - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/last-days-...
December 19, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Last days of the Soviet Union - photography by Jennifer Katzka on Compass: compass.icwa.org/p/last-days-...