Al Mayadeen English
Civilian casualties from bombing or other explosive violence have reached a record high in 2024, with 61,353 civilians killed or injured; a 67% increase from 2023, according to Action on Armed Violence (AOAV). Israeli wars accounted for 55% of these casualties (33,910), followed by the war in Ukraine at 19% (11,693). Gaza was the hardest-hit region, comprising 39% of all casualties, with over 23,600 deaths reported. The report highlighted that AOAV's findings undercount the true toll, as it based its study on English-language reports only.
Scott Ritter on Trump's new approach: Less military, more economy
Former US Marine intelligence officer and UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter discussed with Al Mayadeen how the current shift in US policy under Donald Trump is unlike anything analysts have seen before. With no historical precedent to guide predictions, Ritter says that while America's military power remains intact, Trump is clearly pivoting away from military intervention in favor of global economic dominance. Ritter argues that Trump is moving to end America’s role as the world’s policeman and instead push for fairer economic returns, using trade, pressure, and negotiation rather than war. Regarding Iran, Ritter notes that Trump is "looking for a negotiated settlement."