Lessons from providing typhoon relief in the western Pacific | Opinion

 

By David Drake; reprinted with permission; first published in Opinion in the Des  Moines Register August 11,2026

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands ― I had to look at the tiny dots on my world globe to find the U.S. territory of Guam, and its neighboring U.S. commonwealth island of Saipan. After Super Typhoon Bavi struck in July, I was asked along with hundreds of other Red Cross volunteers across the continental U.S. and territories to sign up in our different areas of training to travel to Guam in the Western Pacific, three plane flights from Des Moines.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Never Again; commemoration held in DM August 9, 2026

 by IPN Coordinator

 

Since the late 70’s, Des Moines peace activists have planned a Hiroshima-Nagasaki remembrance program for early August, to remember the atomic bombing in those cities, now 81 years ago.  It was held again this year, at the Japanese Bell of Peace and Friendship on the Iowa State Judicial Grounds.  Persons gathered for a 7 pm service near the bell in the evening of August 9, the anniversary of the Nagasaki bombing.  August 6 was the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing.  Approximately 50 were gathered in lawn chairs and on blankets.

Lead bullets pose a threat to human health at the Fort Ord Dunes State Park

 

By Pat Elder; reprinted with permission; Published for Military Poisons email, July 1, 2026; see also: https://www.militarypoisons.org/latest-news/lead-poses-a-threat-to-human-health-at-the-fort-ord-dunes-state-park 

 

 

 Left - AI-generated illustration depicting a homeless encampment on the Fort Ord coastal dunes. Right – The yellow dots show homeless encampments. - California Department of Parks and Recreation, 2025 Annual Report, Fort Ord Dunes State Park.

America 250 Years Later

 By Bishop Julius C. Tremble

Reprinted with permission from The General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church email, "Justice Takes Courage".  Their website is: https://www.umcjustice.org/

  On the nation's 250th anniversary, white nationalists marched through Washington. Our faith requires us to speak.

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

NOTE NEW PO BOX

 Please note that our mailing address changed.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to obtain a different PO Box.

As is noted under our "About" page, the new mailing address is:

Iowa Peace Network

PO Box 13044

Des Moines, IA 50310

Thank you for your donations and correspondence!

Session Held on Conscientious Objection for Concerned Adults 6/15/26

By IPN Coordinator and Editor; information gleaned from On Earth Peace is taken with permission

 

Adults gathered on Zoom from across the U.S. to learn more about conscientious objection from On Earth Peace.  Church of the Brethren and Mennonite members were present, maybe others.  On Earth Peace is a Church of the Brethren agency, working on a range of peace issues for children to adult. This session was a follow-up to a session designed for youth and young adults who might want to register as CO if a draft were to happen.  This has come up because of the automatic registration which will probably start December 2026, for men ages 18-26.  This adult session was for concerned adults who care for youth and young adults who might be affected.

Be God's Microphone - Lessons from the life of Saint Óscar Romero

 

by James Gallagher; reprinted with permission; first published for Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) Prayers 4 Peace email May 21, 2026; written in the form of a letter; See their website www.cmep.org; and blog, Prayers4Peace:  https://cmep.org/p4p-blog/

 

 After years of unrest in the Middle East, many of us may feel dismayed, or even hopeless. From a Christian lens, witnessing the tragic ongoing humanitarian crises, the horrifying loss of life, armed conflicts, and heightened political tensions ignites a sense of empathy and sorrow for God’s suffering people. The horrific injustices also stir up a desire to bring Christ-like peace to our broken world; however, where do we begin? How can such massive issues be addressed? Today, I would like to provide an example for modern Christians seeking to make a positive difference in a world dominated by political oppression. The life and works of Saint Óscar Romero can serve as a wonderful blueprint for how Christians today can advocate for peace and justice.

Women Leaders Carry on in Tawila Following Displacement

 By Nonviolent Peaceforce; reprinted with permission; first published April 24, 2026; also posted on NP email May 14, 2026; see https://nonviolentpeaceforce.org/women-leaders-carry-on-in-tawila/

 

Just weeks before violent conflict erupted in Sudan, our staff celebrated the achievements of 100+ women in North Darfur. These women spent weeks learning about and practicing Unarmed Civilian Protection. They even received training in mediation and de-escalation techniques to effectively manage conflicts at both household and community levels.

Escalating Violence Threatens Fragile Middle East Ceasefire

 Written by Bryan Bowman and Greg Williams at FCNL (Friends Committee on National Legislation); reprinted with permission; originally written for “This Week in the World” email from FCNL May 8, 2026

 

 Despite the fragile ceasefire in the Middle East, tensions and violence in the region are once again escalating.

 On (last) Thursday (the 7^th), the U.S. military carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities after U.S. Navy ships exchanged fire with Iranian vessels.

Listen to Smedley Butler

By David Swanson; reprinted with permission

https://worldbeyondwar.org/listen-to-smedley-butler/

This is excerpted and adapted from Swanson's new book, War Is Still A Racket.

In the peace movement in the United States—or at least in any antiwar circles that involve Veterans For Peace or other veterans groups, or that take an interest in the financial corruption that surrounds wars—Major General Smedley Darlington Butler (1881-1940) is a mythical and heroic figure and has been for almost a century. He is best known for the text contained in Part I of my new book, a passionate rejection of war penned in 1935 called War Is a Racket. Published as a small pamphlet, War Is a Racket took up the theme of speeches Butler was giving around the country, with the text worked on by newspaper editor E. Z. Dimitman.