Should gamers be accountable for in-game war crimes?
Guardian Games Blog
The Red Cross has told the BBC that it wants military-themed video games to adhere to real-life international laws
Anti-war activists battle to get their voices heard in WW1 centenary events
Guardian
Campaigners challenge 'glorious conflict' narrative and plan to highlight treatment of conscientious objectors
ForcesWatch response to the Ministry of Defence’s statement, 22 August 2013
ForcesWatch
In response to the paper, ‘Young age at Army enlistment is associated with greater war zone risks’, published by ForcesWatch and Child Soldiers International (August 2013), the Ministry of Defence have issued a statement. Here we respond to their points.
Youngest Army recruits pay highest price in Afghanistan, new report shows
ForcesWatch and Child Soldiers International press release
The risk of fatality in Afghanistan for recruits who enlisted into the British Army aged 16 and completed training has been twice as high as it has for those enlisting at 18 or above, according to a study published today on behalf of human rights groups Child Soldiers International and ForcesWatch. The authors believe the increased risk reflects the disproportionately high number of 16 year olds who join front-line Infantry roles.
The Armed Forces Covenant in Action? Part 4: Education of service personnel
http://www.parliament.uk
Almost 40% of army recruits have reading age of 11, MPs warn
BBC
Almost two-fifths (39%) of recruits to the Army have the reading ability of an 11-year-old or lower, MPs have warned.
Ex-troops without degrees to train as teachers
BBC online
Former armed forces personnel without degrees will be fast-tracked into teaching in England under a new government programme.
On the militarisation of the European Union
Quaker Council for European Affairs
In our work on peace here in Brussels, QCEA is using the lens of militarisation to analyse the changes in the defence policy of the European Union over the last fifteen years. But, what do we mean by militarisation and why should it worry us?
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act
Independent
From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.