New Internationalism

The New Internationalism project focuses on Middle East and United Nations issues.”New internationalism” refers to the combination of foreign policies based on international law, human rights and equality for all, linked with the power of global social movements​ and [sometimes] progressive governments and the UN, in fighting against wars, occupations and empire. In the Middle East, the project is working to end U.S. wars in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya and beyond, and ending U.S. support for the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

The project focuses on education, activism and advocacy to change U.S. policies away from militarism and towards the goals of human rights, equality for all, and peace with justice – a policy that chooses diplomacy over war. The project also works to challenge U.S. domination of the United Nations, and to help democratize and empower the global organization in its fight for peace and human rights. In all these arenas, the the projects works with partner organizations who are organizing, mobilizing and building movements in the U.S. and globally, to challenge U.S. power and to support those fighting for justice in the Middle East.

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Latest Work and Interviews

Biden Is Following Trump's Lead on Israel-Palestine

The US president’s promise to put human rights first doesn’t seem to apply to Israel.

We Need to Cut the Military Budget, But Don't Trust the Far Right to Do It

There’s an urgent need to stop funding wars and human rights abuses abroad and to free up funding for human needs at home. The Freedom Caucus can’t be counted on for either.
Image of Ukrainian mother embracing her child and kissing their forehead.

It's Time for a Ceasefire in Ukraine

A ceasefire in Ukraine has been needed since day one—and it’s more urgent now than ever.
Screenshot of Phyllis Bennis, a white woman with gray hair and a black shirt, speaking on camera, with the democracy now logo and a chyron spelling out her name and IPS affiliation.

Phyllis Bennis on Democracy Now on Ukraine

Phyllis Bennis, Director of the New Internationalism Project at IPS, spoke on Democracy Now! on October 27, 2022 about the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the human cost of the war, […]
Photo of two white women on separate screens, Katie Halper and Phyllis Bennis, in conversation, with chyrons identifying Phyllis and the Katie Halper Show.

Phyllis Bennis on Katie Halper Show on Ukraine

Phyllis Bennis, Director of the New Internationalism Project at IPS, spoke on the Katie Halper Show about the ongoing situation in Ukraine and what it means to urge diplomacy in […]
joe biden at the munich security conference to depict discussion of US middle east policy including israel and palestine

Phyllis Bennis on Rising Up with Sonali on Biden's Middle East Trip and the Murder of Shireen Abu Akleh

Phyllis Bennis speaks about Biden's trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, and his limited discussion of the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh.

Biden in the Middle East

Phyllis Bennis joined Al Jazeera to discuss the significance and implications of Biden's trip to the Middle East.
phyllis bennis joins The Progressive to discuss the Ukraine War

What's Really Going On with the War in Ukraine?

Phyllis Bennis joins a panel to discuss the peace movement, the Ukraine war, Russia, and NATO.

NATO, Ukraine and the New World Disorder: Against Imperialism East and West

Phyllis Bennis joins an international panel to debunk the Western myths about the Ukraine War and provide a much needed analysis of the alarming global drift to war.
donald trump

Reseal the Deal with Iran

A renewed JCPOA provides a way to avoid the threat of war that would arise should Iran at some point move toward nuclear capability.
Mourners hold a vigil for the slain Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh outside the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Americans Must Demand a Credible Investigation Into Shireen Abu Akleh’s Killing

If our tax dollars are furnishing the weapons that kill journalists and other innocents, that’s not just an international crime — it’s against U.S. law, too.
Ukrainians Gather At Border In Mexico With Hopes Of Entering United States

Time to End the West’s Xenophobic Double Standard on Refugees

Racism lowers the floor for how all people are treated. But it’s not too late to change.
no-fly zone

Say No to a ‘No-Fly Zone’ in Ukraine

Rather than cheering for a potentially catastrophic escalation, there are other options for the United States to help the Ukrainian people.
phyllis bennis on democracy now with amy goodman to discuss ukraine

The Best Way to Help Ukraine Is Diplomacy, Not War and Increased Militarization

Increasing military aid in Ukraine could thwart peace talks between Russia and Ukraine — which appeared to be making progress in the past few days.
Some Ukraine Anti War sings and banners

Why Binary Thinking on Russia’s Invasion Is a Losing Strategy

The idea that we have to either support military action and sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, or “do nothing,” is a false binary.
hand holding a 2000 russian rubles bank note near an ATM machine

Sanctions May Sound “Nonviolent,” But They Quietly Hurt the Most Vulnerable

Economic sanctions are a weapon of war, not an alternative to war.
Tanks in Kharkiv, Ukraine

The Best Way to Help Ukraine is Diplomacy, Not War

Every war eventually ends with diplomacy. The question is how long the killing goes on before the diplomats stop it.
Russian police detain an antiwar protestor in Moscow in 2014, during Russia's last incursion into Ukraine

Respond to Putin’s Illegal Invasion of Ukraine With Diplomacy, Not War

There’s no “national interest” worth risking nuclear conflict. But urgent diplomacy and humanitarian aid — and Russia’s own antiwar movement — could stop the suffering.
Israeli soldier cleaning his rifle

Israel Is Committing the Crime of Apartheid. What Should We Do About It?

The international movement for Palestinian rights laid the ground for declarations by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations. We must follow up.
protest sign reading end apartheid and free palestine

Human Rights Groups Agree: Israel Is Practicing Apartheid

The U.S. gives Israel’s military $3.8 billion a year. According to a new Amnesty report, that money funds apartheid.

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New Internationalism In the News

Rising Up With Sonali

Rising Up with Sonali | February 10, 2023

KPFA Pacifica Evening News

KPFA Pacifica Evening News | December 29, 2022

The KPFA Evening News

KPFA | December 24, 2022

Episode 171: The Midterms & US Foreign Policy

CodePink Radio | November 23, 2022

Phyllis Bennis on Katie Halper Show on Ukraine

Katie Halper Show | October 25, 2022

Phyllis Bennis on the Tavis Smiley Show on Ukraine

KBLA 1580 AM, The Tavis Smiley Show | August 25, 2022

Biden’s Middle East trip

KPFA UpFront | July 18, 2022

Moral March Draws Thousands to D.C.

Friends Committee on National Legislation | June 21, 2022

Experts