Nineveh, Iraq's second most populous province, has a unique concentration of historic minority groups. It is also a main battlefront of a conflict over disputed territories between the Arab-dominated central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Samer Muscati, researcher in the Middle East and North Africa division, traveled to the region to interview and photograph victims of the violence directed at the Yazidi, Shabak, and Chaldean and Assyrian Christian communities.

Every year, landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to kill or injure thousands of people. Spanish photographer Gervasio Sánchez's images explore the impact of landmines on the lives of individuals across the globe. The countries profiled have joined the 1997 mine ban treaty, but have ongoing obligations to clear landmines and assist survivors of the weapon.

On September 10 and 11, the riots in Uganda's capital, Kampala, began when police blocked a delegation, including the cultural king of Buganda, known as the kabaka, from visiting Kayunga district. The visit was opposed by leaders of the Banyala ethnic group who reject the kabaka’s authority. The kabaka's supporters took to the streets to protest, and violence broke out soon afterwards. The government admits that at least 27 people were killed. Human Rights Watch research indicates that at least 13 of those died in situations where soldiers used lethal force when the circumstances did not warrant it.

After the Burmese military government’s brutal crackdown on Buddhist monks and other peaceful protestors in September 2007, the constant refrain was, “What happened to the monks?”. Many monks were arrested, threatened, beaten, and imprisoned. It is a sad and disturbing story, but one that exemplifies the harsh rule of Burma’s military government as it clings to power through violence, fear, and repression. The monks play a pivotal role as social mediators, as an important social safety net for Burmese people as poverty has grown under military rule, and as a key barometer of basic freedoms in Burmese society ahead of scheduled elections in 2010.