Advocates say that women’s rights and security in Afghanistan are under mounting assault from all sides — the Taliban insurgency and the government alike — putting at risk 12 years of hard-won gains for women here.

Advocates say that women’s rights and security in Afghanistan are under mounting assault from all sides — the Taliban insurgency and the government alike — putting at risk 12 years of hard-won gains for women here.

Until a few years ago, I used to ice skate in the winter – when it was cold enough. Making beautiful trips across the ice of frozen lakes, gliding amid the beautiful Dutch landscape. Ice skating has an enchanting, and also somewhat addictive effect. Even on TV. So, over the next few days I will be fascinated, watching the Olympic team perform in Sochi, Russia. Indeed, the Netherlands is one of the top countries in ice skating. Over and over again, great talents arise, both men and women.

Until a few years ago, I used to ice skate in the winter – when it was cold enough. Making beautiful trips across the ice of frozen lakes, gliding amid the beautiful Dutch landscape. Ice skating has an enchanting, and also somewhat addictive effect. Even on TV. So, over the next few days I will be fascinated, watching the Olympic team perform in Sochi, Russia. Indeed, the Netherlands is one of the top countries in ice skating. Over and over again, great talents arise, both men and women.

Google hasn't shied away in the past from taking political positions in its popular doodle images on its google.com homepage. Thursday's doodle is no exception. It features a rainbow-colored illustration of popular Winter Olympic sports, including alpine skiing, hockey, curling, and ice skating.

Europe is set to upgrade its ties with Cuba in a bid to broaden economic cooperation and demand more progress on respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, a senior European Union official said Thursday. The 28-nation bloc's foreign ministers will endorse a mandate to negotiate a new, broad political agreement with Cuba at their upcoming meeting Monday, the official said.

In Sochi, Russia, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today praised the power of sport to promote human rights and unite people regardless of their age, race, class, religious, ability, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity in a first of its kind address to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Recent developments in Africa related to the contentious topic of homosexuality have reminded me of a discussion that took place during one of the interactive sessions at CPD’s 2013 Summer Institute in Public Diplomacy. During this discussion, I argued that the West needs to fully recognize and show respect to the cultural, religious, and sociological demagogy of countries (especially in Africa) opposed to the practice. This is especially true when promoting the acceptance of homosexuality as a human right.