PRIO's Peace in a Pod

Children Born of War: The Long Road to Recognition

For some children, the scars of war are present from the very beginning of life. Children born of war are found in virtually every conflict worldwide. Most are born to l

Is the International Order Unravelling?

January 2026 has barely begun, yet the pace of global upheaval is already staggering. In just a few weeks, the United States has seized Venezuela’s president Nicolás Mad

Passing the Torch: Leadership, Peace, and a Changing World Order

After nearly a decade as PRIO Director, Henrik Urdal has wrapped up his tenure. Taking over is Nina Græger, who returns to PRIO after leading the Department of Political

From Gaza to Sudan: What the Rise in Global Conflict Means for Children

2024 marked one of the most violent years since the end of the Cold War, with 61 armed conflicts recorded across 36 countries. This sobering tally comes from PRIO’s lates

After America: Can Europe Defend Itself?

The European Commission has unveiled a bold 800 billion euro plan to ramp up defense spending - marking what many are calling a historic shift in Europe’s security archit

Could a Breakthrough Technology Transform the War in Ukraine?

Negotiations around a ceasefire in Ukraine have dominated headlines ever since Donald Trump returned to the White House. From bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia to direct ta

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese on Gaza, Trump, and Genocide

President Donald Trump’s call for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and displace its population marks a stark break from decades of American policy—one that could destabil

What’s Next for Syrian Refugees After Assad’s Fall?

December 8th. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is reported to have fled the country his family ruled for 50 years—a political earthquake that sends shockwaves across the

From Biden to Trump: Ukraine’s War at a Turning Point

The stakes are rising in Ukraine as Russian attacks on critical infrastructure intensify, plunging the country into darkness with rolling blackouts. Meanwhile, the Biden

Will Trump 2.0 Break US Democracy?

Donald Trump’s return to the White House raises urgent questions about the state of American democracy. His contentious victory—despite ongoing legal battles and investi

Who Should Win the Nobel Peace Prize 2024?

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the world’s most prestigious honors. Each year, the Director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) presents his own independent list

The West vs. 'The Rest'

On April 29th at the World Economic Forum, Norway’s Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, delivered a striking critique of the so-called “West,” accusing his allies of a do

The Most Violent Year Since World War II

More armed conflicts took place in 2023 than in any other year since the end of World War II. That is the shocking finding in this year’s Conflict Trends Report – a yearl

Norway: Peacemaker, Arms-Dealer

For decades, Norway has played a major role as a peacemaker. From the Nobel Peace Prize to the Oslo Accords, promoting peace has been a central aspect of Norwegian foreig

Women in Peace Mediation: The Israeli and Palestinian Women Working for Peace

As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, two women's organizations are pushing for a return to negotiation and a permanent resolution to the conflict. “Women Wag

How Russians (Really) Feel about Putin and Ukraine

As Russians headed to the polls this month, the reelection of Russian President Vladimir Putin was not in doubt. On March 17th, with over 87% of the votes in his favor,

UNRWA in Crisis: A Conversation with Chief Lazzarini and Norway's State Secretary Kravik

UNRWA is in trouble. The UN agency for Palestine Refugees is accused by Israel of being infiltrated by Hamas and having had some of its staff involved in the attacks on O

Migration Trends in 2023: Stories From the Field with CNN’s Nima Elbagir

From war-torn Ukraine and Sudan to the Mediterranean, 2023 marked yet another year where thousands were forced to leave their homes in pursuit of a better life. In one o

The Targeting of Hospitals in Gaza and Beyond

On November 15th, Israeli forces stormed al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, in search of a Hamas base. The facility sheltered hundreds of

What Does China Want?

On November 15th, the world watched as a highly anticipated meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden took place amid the scenic backdrop of Wo