Iona Rudisill on Saber River

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, international efforts to support women's rights have varied, with the U.S. using economic pressure on the Taliban while Norway has pursued diplomatic relations, allowing Norwegian-funded all-girls schools to operate. In a new book, Qamar-ul Huda critiques the dominant Western Christian frameworks in peacebuilding and advocates for Muslim-led initiatives that respect local cultural contexts. In entertainment, Tom Selleck's latest role as Paul Cable in 'Last Stand at Saber River' explores themes of justified violence in the face of post-Civil War societal upheaval. Politically, there's a call for a united front among Americans across party lines to combat the threats posed by Trump's agenda, emphasizing the protection of fundamental rights. Additionally, Maryland's Governor Wes Moore has pardoned 175,000 individuals for cannabis offenses, reflecting a broader trend toward criminal justice reform, though advocates push for more comprehensive Clean Slate policies to ease record expungement processes. These developments together highlight ongoing struggles for rights, justice, and representation in various contexts.