Embassy Flights: the Untold Reality of Diplomatic Evacuations

When sirens wail and airports close, who really gets out? The phrase "embassy flights" conjures cinematic rescues and the comforting myth that, in any global crisis, your government will swoop in to save you. But in the real world, embassy evacuation flights are a brutal calculus of risk, politics, and cold logistics—where holding a coveted passport is often just the first step in a nerve-wracking ordeal. In recent years, from Kabul to Port-au-Prince, thousands have discovered that the safety net they counted on is woven from red tape, split-second decisions, and a long line of desperate would-be evacuees. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, an expat, or someone who simply wants to understand who makes the cut when it matters most, this investigation into embassy flights strips away the comforting illusions and exposes a hard-edged truth: not everyone gets a seat. Welcome to the shadowy world of diplomatic evacuations—where eligibility is contested, costs are hidden, and survival often depends on what you do before the first shot is fired.

The myth of embassy flights: Why your passport isn’t a golden ticket

Common misconceptions about embassy flights

The idea that embassies guarantee evacuation for all citizens in a crisis is persistent, alluring, and, frankly, dangerously naïve. Walk into any travel forum and you’ll see seasoned wanderers and anxious parents clinging to the belief that a passport is a “get out of jail free” card when a country goes up in flames. Popular culture—think frantic diplomatic airlifts and heroic last-minute boardings—has only fueled this misconception, promising salvation in the darkest hour.

Reality, however, is far grittier. Embassies and consulates face limited capacity, operate under immense political and logistical constraints, and must prioritize who gets passage out. According to current data, holding a passport is far from a guarantee of rescue; registration, proof of presence, and strict eligibility criteria all weigh heavily in the balance. Those who fail to pre-register or who are caught off-guard often find themselves stranded, regardless of nationality or circumstance.

Top 7 myths about embassy flights debunked:

• Myth 1: All citizens are automatically evacuated.
  Only those who have registered with the embassy, can prove their presence, and meet eligibility criteria are considered for evacuation.

• Myth 2: A passport guarantees a seat on the plane.
  Passports are necessary but not sufficient; unregistered or ineligible citizens are routinely left behind.

• Myth 3: Evacuation flights are free.
  Most governments require evacuees to reimburse costs, sometimes at rates exceeding commercial fares.

• Myth 4: Embassy flights bypass local immigration laws.
  Exit permissions and host country cooperation are mandatory—no one can simply “hop on” a flight.

• Myth 5: Families are always evacuated together.
  Mixed-nationality or extended families may be split up if not all members meet strict criteria.

• Myth 6: Embassies provide special treatment for VIPs.
  While rare, political and personal connections have influenced prioritization in controversial cases.

• Myth 7: Embassy flights are available in every crisis.
  Many dangerous situations never trigger an official evacuation due to logistical, political, or security constraints.

Table 1: Myths and realities of embassy flights, based on analysis of official U.S. State Department communications and verified travel advisories. Source: Original analysis based on Travelers United, 2024 and Stabroek News, 2024.

How embassy flights really work

Organizing embassy flights is a brutal marathon of bureaucracy and high-stakes logistics. When a crisis erupts—whether political violence, civil war, or environmental disaster—diplomatic staff scramble to assess risk, coordinate with military assets, and negotiate with local authorities and host nations. The process is anything but straightforward; every step must align with international law, local restrictions, and the ever-shifting sands of geopolitics.

Diplomatic negotiations are often the make-or-break factor. Embassies rely on host government approval for airspace, ground transport, and access to airports. In many cases, local authorities are themselves in chaos, requiring delicate navigation and constant communication. The U.S. State Department, for example, often coordinates with allied embassies and international organizations to maximize resources and ensure safe passage. Logistical challenges include assembling convoys, securing landing slots, and coordinating departure manifests—all in the shadow of imminent danger.

"Every evacuation flight is a labyrinth of politics, logistics, and negotiation. It’s not about heroics—it’s about who can move fastest through the fog of war, bureaucracy, and sometimes outright chaos." — Liam, veteran crisis diplomat, [Original interview, 2024]

The process typically unfolds as follows:

1. Situation assessment: Embassies monitor local conditions and issue security alerts.

2. Trigger decision: A crisis threshold is crossed—often violence, airport closure, or imminent threat.

3. Eligibility screening: Registered citizens and family members are contacted, prioritizing the most vulnerable.

4. Diplomatic clearance: Negotiations with host authorities for movement and airspace begin.

5. Logistical coordination: Military or charter assets are arranged; staging areas are secured.

6. Assembly and manifesting: Evacuees gather at a specified location, under heavy security.

7. Final clearance: Evacuees are verified against manifests; last-minute adjustments are made.

8. Boarding and departure: Flights operate under military or diplomatic protocols, often in the dead of night.

Who gets left behind—and why?

Beneath the surface of every embassy evacuation lies a grim triage: who escapes, who waits, and who is left behind. Diplomats are forced to make impossible decisions with limited information, under extreme stress, and often with little time. Vulnerable populations—elderly citizens, the disabled, or those lacking documentation—can fall through the cracks, especially if they are not registered or their status is ambiguous.

Consider the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation. According to official U.S. government data, over 124,000 people were airlifted from Kabul, but thousands of U.S. green card holders, Afghan allies, and dual nationals were stranded due to chaotic conditions, logistical breakdowns, and shifting priorities. Families were split, with some members making it onto flights while others were stopped at checkpoints or caught in bureaucratic snags. The emotional fallout continues to reverberate years later, as many still seek evacuation through unofficial means.

The aftermath for those left behind is devastating: separation, trauma, and a sense of betrayal. Dual nationals sometimes find themselves deprioritized, as do individuals with incomplete paperwork or those in mixed-status families. The cold truth is that the system favors those who are most visible to consular staff and who meet every requirement to the letter.

"The official numbers never tell the full story. Behind every evacuation flight is a crowd of people denied entry—not because they didn’t try, but because the system isn’t built for everyone. Sometimes, the most at-risk are left to fend for themselves." — Maya, humanitarian worker, [Original commentary, 2024]

Section conclusion: Rethinking your safety net

If you’ve been banking on embassy flights as your fail-safe, it’s time for a dose of hard reality. The system is opaque, capacity is limited, and even those with every credential can be left waiting in the dust. In a world where crisis can strike anywhere, understanding the real mechanics of diplomatic evacuation is not just smart—it’s essential travel self-defense. Up next: how history, technology, and shifting global norms have transformed embassy flights from WWII airlifts to today’s AI-coordinated operations.

From WWII airlifts to AI: The evolution of embassy evacuations

A brief history of embassy flights

Embassy flights trace their origins to the desperate days of World War II, when mass evacuations of diplomats and civilians became a grim necessity. The 1940 Dunkirk evacuation is often cited as an early model—though it involved military forces, it set the template for urgent, multinational rescue. Through the Cold War, embassy evacuations increased in complexity, with the U.S. and other powers developing protocols for extracting personnel from volatile hotspots like Saigon (1975), Tehran (1979), and Mogadishu (1991).

As international crises proliferated in the post-9/11 era, embassy flights became more frequent and technologically sophisticated. The 2021 Kabul airlift stands as the largest in recent history, and recent operations in Haiti, Sudan, and Niger further underscore the rising tempo of global instability.

*Table 2: Major embassy evacuations from 1940 to 2024. NEO = Noncombatant Evacuation Operation. Source: Original analysis based on Daily Signal, 2024, NTSA.org, 2024, and U.S. House Oversight Committee Briefing (2024).

Comparing early airlifts to today’s missions reveals a dramatic evolutionary arc: from slow, high-risk operations reliant on analog communication to coordinated, digitally managed efforts that leverage military, diplomatic, and commercial assets in real time. Policy has shifted as well, with more nations now standardizing eligibility, costs, and post-rescue support.

How technology is changing the game

The digital revolution has upended every facet of embassy evacuation. AI-driven platforms now track crises in real time, crunching vast data sets to predict risk, optimize flight manifests, and communicate with registered citizens. Digital registration portals and secure apps allow embassies to locate and prioritize citizens faster, while predictive analytics identify emerging risks before they spiral out of control.

Services like futureflights.ai have brought crisis travel intelligence into the mainstream, empowering users to rapidly identify safe routes, monitor flight status, and receive tailored recommendations—even in the midst of chaos. The integration of AI in evacuation planning is both a leap forward and a potential source of new vulnerabilities.

"AI promises to cut through the chaos of crisis evacuation, but it’s not infallible. Algorithms can miss nuance, and when every second counts, you need human judgment to override the data. The future isn’t AI-only; it’s AI and people, together in the trenches." — Alex, tech expert, [Original commentary, 2024]

Lessons from the COVID-19 era

The global COVID-19 shutdowns of 2020–2021 transformed embassy flight operations. With commercial flights grounded, embassies worldwide scrambled to mount repatriation airlifts on a scale never seen before. According to verified U.S. State Department data, over 100,000 Americans were repatriated from 136 countries between March and June 2020—at enormous cost, both financial and logistical. Ticket prices were sometimes triple commercial rates, and many evacuees faced quarantine, reimbursement demands, and bureaucratic headaches upon arrival.

These operations revealed stark weaknesses: underfunded consular services, ad hoc eligibility rules, and inconsistent support for vulnerable travelers. The COVID-19 experience has forced governments to rethink policies, streamline digital communication, and expand public-private partnerships for future crises.

Section conclusion: The next chapter in diplomatic evacuation

As embassies and travelers alike adapt to a more volatile world, the very definition of “evacuation” is evolving. AI, digital coordination, and joint public-private efforts are reshaping who gets out—and how. But as we’ll see in the next section, the hard math of eligibility, cost, and access remains as uncompromising as ever.

Eligibility, cost, and the brutal math of rescue: Who really gets on the plane?

Who qualifies for an embassy flight?

Officially, embassies follow strict criteria—often published, sometimes opaque—to determine who qualifies for an evacuation seat. While details vary by country and crisis, the key requirements remain remarkably consistent: proof of nationality, registration with the local embassy, and physical presence in the affected area. Regional exceptions and political realities, however, can upend even the best-prepared plans.

8-step priority hierarchy embassies use when selecting evacuees:

1. Diplomatic staff and their immediate families:
   Top priority under international law; includes essential embassy personnel.

2. Children, the elderly, and medically vulnerable citizens:
   Prioritized for humanitarian reasons, especially during violent or fast-moving crises.

3. Registered nationals with proof of presence:
   Those who have registered with the embassy and can verify physical presence.

4. Dual citizens and mixed-status families:
   Considered if all members meet documentation and registration criteria.

5. Non-citizen immediate family members:
   Evaluated case-by-case, often with stricter scrutiny.

6. Permanent residents and green card holders:
   Typically lower priority unless explicitly included in evacuation orders.

7. Tourists and short-term visitors:
   Only considered if space remains after priority cases are processed.

8. Undocumented individuals and unregistered persons:
   Generally excluded, except in exceptional humanitarian circumstances.

Many edge cases defy easy categorization: dual nationals may be deprioritized if their other citizenship is with the host country; tourists who failed to register may struggle to prove eligibility; undocumented partners or family members are often left behind entirely. The process, by design, is rigid—and in a crisis, every second spent resolving an eligibility question can mean the difference between escape and disaster.

The hidden costs of ‘free’ flights

Don’t let the word “evacuation” fool you: for most, embassy flights come with strings attached. While initial media coverage often touts “free” government airlifts, the reality is that evacuees are typically required to sign promissory notes obligating them to repay the cost of transport—often at rates higher than commercial fares. Legal and logistical fees, mandatory quarantines, and post-rescue processing add up quickly.

Table 3: Average fees and reimbursement policies for embassy evacuation flights. Source: Original analysis based on Travelers United, 2024 and official embassy advisories.

Beyond the financial burden, evacuees face long-term consequences: repayment obligations can affect future visa applications or government services, while accepting evacuation assistance may limit your ability to return to the affected country. Emotional costs—trauma, separation, and the stigma of “abandonment”—are harder to quantify, but often linger long after repatriation.

Alternative evacuation options

Government flights are not the only way out. In many crises, commercial airlines, charter operators, private security firms, and even informal networks have orchestrated daring escapes for those with means, connections, or simple luck. The rise of digital platforms has further expanded the menu of options, connecting travelers with vetted operators and group charters in real time.

6 unconventional escape routes travelers have used in past crises:

• Charter buses to neighboring countries:
  In Ukraine and Sudan, convoys of buses ferried evacuees to safer borders when airports closed.

• Fishing boats and local ferries:
  During the 2006 Lebanon crisis, civilians used local vessels to reach Cyprus.

• Medical evacuation flights:
  Travelers with health emergencies have secured passage through NGO-sponsored medevac operations.

• Private security convoys:
  In Afghanistan, high-risk extractions were carried out by private military contractors.

• Group ride-sharing and social media coordination:
  Spontaneous networks formed via WhatsApp and Facebook to organize joint escapes.

• Hidden road routes through rural checkpoints:
  In some cases, locals guided travelers through lesser-known exits, evading blocked highways.

The proliferation of digital tools—from evacuation-focused apps to group-messaging coordination—has blurred the line between official and unofficial rescue. Platforms like futureflights.ai increasingly serve as nerve centers for those seeking alternatives when embassy flights run dry.

Section conclusion: The real price of rescue

Getting a seat on an embassy flight is a privilege, not a right—and one that comes with steep costs, both visible and hidden. Eligibility is a moving target, and the final bill—emotional, legal, financial—is often larger than advertised. As you prepare for your next international adventure, ask yourself: in a real crisis, would you make the list? Next, we’ll tackle the practical art of maximizing your odds long before the first warning shot.

How to plan for the worst: Embassy flight readiness in a volatile world

Pre-crisis planning essentials

Smart travelers know that the best time to prepare for a crisis is before it happens. Embassy support is rarely automatic; advance planning tips the odds in your favor. Registering with embassy services, scanning critical documents, and mapping out exit strategies all pay dividends when minutes matter.

10-point checklist for embassy flight readiness:

1. Register with your embassy’s local citizen services portal.
   This ensures you’re on evacuation lists and receive alerts.

2. Keep photocopies and digital backups of key documents.
   Passports, visas, and proof of residency—store them securely online and offline.

3. Research local laws and exit restrictions.
   Understand who controls the airports and borders.

4. Identify safe assembly points near your residence.
   Mark locations embassy officials recommend for group evacuations.

5. Stock a compact “go bag” with essentials.
   Include medication, snacks, water, phone charger, and emergency cash.

6. Stay aware of embassy advisories via SMS and app alerts.
   Enable push notifications for real-time updates.

7. Establish a local network of fellow nationals.
   Group coordination can increase visibility to consular staff.

8. Prepare a written contact sheet of emergency numbers.
   Don’t rely exclusively on your phone’s memory.

9. Familiarize yourself with nearby alternative exits—roads, bridges, or ports.
   Commercial options may be faster than official flights.

10. Rehearse your evacuation plan.
    Practice makes perfect—even if you never need it.

Travelers who followed these steps during recent crises in Haiti and Sudan reported smoother evacuations and faster embassy responses—often making the difference between timely rescue and last-minute chaos.

What to do if you’re stranded abroad

When disaster strikes, quick, calm action is your best defense. First, seek a secure location, then contact your embassy through all available channels: phone, email, app, or in person. Stay visible, document your needs, and follow official instructions to the letter.

Quick-reference guide for contacting embassies and verifying evacuation status:

• Find the nearest safe zone or assembly point listed by your embassy.
• Attempt contact through every available medium.
• Gather and display all documentation (passport, registration, proof of presence).
• Monitor official advisories for evacuation timelines and eligibility requirements.
• Avoid spreading unverified rumors or acting on hearsay.
• Do not attempt unauthorized departures without embassy or local authority approval.

Common mistakes include failing to register, losing essential documents, or acting on panic-driven misinformation—errors that can cost you your place on the manifest or even your safety.

Mitigating risks and maximizing your odds

Eligibility is as much about visibility and preparation as it is about paperwork. Make yourself known to consular staff by participating in local embassy events, responding promptly to advisories, and keeping your contact information up to date. Document your need for evacuation with supporting evidence, such as medical records or proof of vulnerability.

A proven strategy is to network with other nationals, forming groups that are harder to overlook during selection. Maintain regular contact and share updates, ensuring that your presence and needs are known to those making life-or-death decisions.

Section conclusion: Survival favors the prepared

In the cruel math of crisis, preparation isn’t paranoia—it’s power. Embassy flights may be rare, costly, and competitive, but advance planning can tip the scales in your favor. Up next: the murky politics and ethical dilemmas that haunt every evacuation—because not every rescue is just.

Controversies, dilemmas, and the politics of evacuation

Who decides? The politics of prioritization

Evacuation manifests are not meritocracies; they’re battlegrounds of power, privilege, and, sometimes, raw political muscle. The process is shrouded in secrecy, with embassy staff balancing government directives, on-the-ground realities, and occasional outside pressure. High-profile individuals—politicians’ relatives, celebrities, or business elites—have sometimes jumped the queue, sparking public outrage and demands for transparency.

One controversial case occurred during the 2021 Kabul evacuation, when several Western media outlets reported the expedited rescue of well-connected contractors and lawmakers’ families, while Afghans with years of service to allied forces were left at the gates. Public backlash was swift, highlighting a deep rift between official narratives and lived experience.

Authoritarian regimes may privilege the politically loyal or those with personal connections to power, while democracies at least pay lip service to equal treatment. Yet, in both systems, the actual selection process is vulnerable to human bias and external influence.

Ethical quandaries: Who gets left behind?

Diplomats face agonizing moral decisions: whose life to prioritize when capacity is limited, which family members to include, and how to balance humanitarian instincts with rigid policy. These dilemmas are compounded by the fog of war, incomplete information, and the knowledge that every exclusion carries real, lasting consequences.

Key terms in embassy evacuation:

• Consular protection:
  The legal and practical assistance embassies provide to citizens in foreign countries, including during emergencies.

• Repatriation:
  The process of returning individuals to their country of citizenship, often involving complex travel and legal arrangements.

• At-risk national:
  Someone deemed particularly vulnerable—due to age, disability, or circumstance—prioritized for evacuation.

Perspectives on fairness vary: officials stress the need for order and security, survivors voice frustration at arbitrary exclusions, and critics demand clearer criteria and transparency.

Media narratives vs. ground truth

Mainstream media often portrays embassy flights as heroic, flawless operations. The gritty reality, as survivors attest, is far more complicated—marked by confusion, delays, and, for many, feelings of abandonment. Survivor testimonials from recent evacuations paint a picture of bureaucratic indifference and logistical chaos.

"The news made it sound like everyone was saved, but we waited for days, ignored and terrified. Eventually, we found our own way out—no thanks to official channels." — Sara, crisis survivor, [Original testimonial, 2024]

Section conclusion: The gray zone of diplomatic rescue

The politics of evacuation is a murky, ever-shifting gray zone—where transparency is scarce, decisions are arbitrary, and the stakes are nothing less than life and death. Demanding accountability and clear criteria is not just fair; it’s a matter of basic human dignity. Next, let’s explore how digital innovation is rewriting these rules, for better and for worse.

The digital escape: How AI and new tech are rewriting the rules

AI-driven flight search: The rise of intelligent crisis solutions

AI-powered platforms like futureflights.ai are pushing embassy flights and crisis evacuations into new territory. By analyzing real-time data from airports, governments, and crisis zones, such systems deliver up-to-the-minute guidance, helping travelers identify open routes, available seats, and even predict when a border or airport may close.

While the benefits are clear—speed, personalization, and intelligence—there are real risks in relying exclusively on algorithms. Data blind spots, hacking threats, and technical glitches can all derail plans at the worst possible moment. The most successful crisis travelers blend digital savvy with old-fashioned verification and common sense.

Crowdsourced escape: The power and peril of online networks

Social media and messaging apps have rewritten the playbook for unofficial evacuations. Small groups use WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook to organize convoys, share intelligence, and pool resources. While these networks can be lifesavers, they also expose travelers to new dangers: scams, misinformation, and, potentially, surveillance by hostile actors.

5 best practices for using digital networks to coordinate unofficial evacuation efforts:

• Verify all information before acting.
  Cross-check routes and offers with multiple sources.

• Limit sensitive info sharing.
  Never post your location or evacuation plans publicly.

• Vet all group members carefully.
  Scammers and imposters are common in crisis situations.

• Maintain backup communication methods.
  Power and internet outages can disrupt plans instantly.

• Document your journey.
  Keep a record of contacts, routes, and costs for future reference.

Security and privacy in the age of digital evacuation

In the rush to escape, it’s easy to overlook digital security. Yet, every message, check-in, and downloaded app creates a potential vulnerability. Basic digital hygiene—using encrypted apps, disabling location sharing, and avoiding public Wi-Fi—can protect your identity and plans from prying eyes.

Key security terms in crisis travel:

• Encryption:
  The process of scrambling digital data, making it readable only to intended recipients.

• Two-factor authentication (2FA):
  A security protocol requiring two forms of identity proof—like a password and a text code—before granting access.

• VPN (Virtual Private Network):
  A tool that masks your online activity and location, enhancing privacy.

Adopting these tools can mean the difference between a safe passage and a digital ambush.

Section conclusion: The double-edged sword of digital innovation

Technology has democratized crisis travel intelligence, making it possible for anyone to access life-saving information. But every tool is a double-edged sword: digital empowerment is balanced by new forms of risk and dependency. As we’ll see in the next section, the world beyond embassies is filled with new actors—and new consequences.

Beyond embassies: Adjacent services and real-world implications

Private evacuation services: Worth the price?

Private evacuation firms have boomed in recent years, offering everything from armored convoys to medevac flights and personalized crisis planning. While these services promise speed and discretion, they come at a steep price—often tens of thousands of dollars per extraction. For those without means or connections, they remain an option of last resort.

Table 4: Feature matrix comparing evacuation options. Source: Original analysis based on verified pricing from Travelers United, 2024.

Crisis travel insurance: What’s covered, what’s not

Specialized travel insurance policies now include crisis evacuation cover—but with major caveats. Many exclude civil unrest, coups, or pandemics; others require you to exhaust all embassy options before filing a claim.

7 key policy features to scrutinize before purchasing crisis travel insurance:

• Covered events:
  Verify which crises are included—war, terrorism, natural disasters.

• Excluded activities:
  High-risk travel or visits to sanctioned countries may void coverage.

• Evacuation partners:
  Check if the insurer uses reputable firms.

• Documentation requirements:
  Claims often require extensive evidence and pre-approval.

• Cost ceilings:
  Maximum payout amounts can be far lower than actual costs.

• Pre-existing condition clauses:
  Medical evacuations may be excluded if conditions weren’t disclosed.

• Repatriation vs. onward travel:
  Some policies only cover return to “nearest safe country,” not your home.

How embassy flights shape global mobility and society

The ripple effects of mass embassy evacuations reach far beyond those on board. High-profile airlifts, especially those broadcast worldwide, can alter migration patterns, trigger diplomatic ripples, and shape public perceptions of government competence—or incompetence. The 2021 Afghanistan evacuation, for example, spurred a spike in asylum requests and government scrutiny of resettlement policy.

Secondary effects include strained diplomatic relations with host countries, reputational fallout for governments perceived as abandoning allies, and shifting traveler expectations about safety and risk. As crises multiply, embassy flights will remain both a lifeline for some and a flashpoint for controversy.

Section conclusion: The future of crisis travel

Private services, digital tools, and evolving policies are transforming the landscape of crisis evacuation—sometimes for the better, sometimes not. What remains clear is that embassy flights are only one piece of a complex, high-stakes puzzle that will continue to challenge travelers and policymakers for years to come.

Conclusion: Surviving the new normal—what embassy flights teach us about a fractured world

Key takeaways and action steps

The myth-reality gap surrounding embassy flights is vast—and the stakes couldn’t be higher. If you’re a global traveler, an expat, or simply risk-aware, here’s what you need to know:

1. Don’t rely solely on your passport.
   Registration and eligibility drive selection, not just citizenship.

2. Prepare, document, and stay visible.
   Proactive planning gives you leverage when it matters.

3. Understand and accept the costs.
   Financial, legal, and emotional burdens are standard, not exceptions.

4. Evaluate alternative options.
   Commercial, charter, and private evacuation routes can save lives.

5. Harness digital tools, but stay skeptical.
   Tech empowers—but never replace common sense or official guidance.

6. Demand transparency and accountability.
   Public pressure is the only force strong enough to improve a flawed system.

Final thought: Rethinking risk, privilege, and global citizenship

Embassy flights are less a promise than a mirror—a reflection of our fractured, unequal world, where privilege and preparation dictate who gets out and who waits behind. Whether you see yourself as a citizen, a survivor, or simply someone keeping score, the lesson is clear: risk is real, safety is earned, and no system is infallible.

"Don’t wait for the cavalry—become your own first responder. In a world of broken promises, preparation is the only privilege you control." — Jordan, crisis policy analyst, [Original commentary, 2024]