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ONEST Insight

Inside CSW70: What the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women Revealed About a Fracturing World

A firsthand report from the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), revealing the gap between global commitments and reality across peace, justice, technology, and funding.

By Olga Nesterova • 7 min read

Explained

Ukraine at 35: Independence Day Brings New Defense Deals, Missiles and a Show of Allied Support

This year, Ukraine marked its 35th Independence Day not with the traditional military parade that once moved through central Kyiv, but with something much more representative of the country fighting to preserve that independence. At dawn, Ukrainian-made ground robotic systems moved along Khreshchatyk. Naval drones crossed the Dnipro. Interceptor

By Olga Nesterova • 6 min read

Explained

What Happens If China Pushes Back Against Trump’s Iran Sanctions?

The Trump administration has declared what it calls an “Economic D-Day” against Iran. But the most important targets may not actually be in Iran. On Monday, the U.S. Treasury launched Operation Economic Outcast, a broader campaign intended to sever Iran’s remaining international financial and commercial lifelines. Treasury

By Olga Nesterova • 8 min read

Deep Dive

How America Went From Paying Down Its Debt to $40 Trillion

This article is part of ONEST’s Financial & Geopolitical Literacy Series, made possible by generous donors who support independent ONEST journalism and allow us to keep this reporting public.

By Olga Nesterova • 13 min read

Daily Brief

ONEST Brief | August 21, 2026

Russia is testing NATO’s edges, Ukraine is dealing with both a devastating Russian attack and growing political turbulence at home, Washington is preparing a new economic front against Iran, and China is quietly expanding its room to maneuver from Seoul to artificial intelligence. Here’s what matters today. SLOVENIA’

By Olga Nesterova • 11 min read

Explained

China’s Quiet Role in the Middle East War

Türkiye is moving into Syria’s oil and gas sector. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on August 19 that Ankara is ready to cooperate with Damascus on oil and gas exploration, adding another layer to Türkiye’s rapidly expanding role in post-Assad Syria. At first glance, this is

By Olga Nesterova • 11 min read

Daily Brief

ONEST Brief: U.S. cuts Korea drills and escalates its fight with the ICC

PEOPLE BEHIND THE MOMENT Before the news: something new from ONEST. I’m launching People Behind the Moment — a new series built around a simple idea: behind every institution, business, crisis, headline and ordinary day are people doing work we rarely stop to notice. We spend so much time talking

By Olga Nesterova • 9 min read