Cooper Inveen

Cooper Inveen is a freelance journalist studying Journalism and African Studies at the University of Washington. When not writing, he can be found climbing mountains, playing music, and yelling at his television.
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Young Ali Abdullah Saleh and his son Ahmed, 1984

What’s happening in Yemen (and why you should care)

by Cooper Inveen
The crisis in Yemen explained: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the complex web of alliances that's tearing apart the Middle East’s poorest country
Apr 21, 2015
ISIS Insurgents

Why you should (and shouldn’t) be worried about ISIS

by Cooper Inveen
Back from Baghdad, veteran foreign correspondent Jonathan Landay has the real story about the Islamic State.
Nov 26, 2014
A Syrian refugee in Beirut holds a ballot from Tuesday's multiparty presidential elections. Bashar Al-Assad (right) is almost assured victory. (Photo from Reuters)

As Syria holds sham elections, some in Seattle keep hope alive

by Cooper Inveen
A lot has changed in the seven years since Syria’s last presidential election back in 2007. But the expected result hasn’t. After all the lives lost in the country’s three-year civil war, it’s hard to imagine these — officially the first multiparty elections in Syrian history — will have any impact on the lives of those on […]
Jun 4, 2014
U.S. Visa issued in India. (Photo by Muzi via Wikimedia Commons)

Black market for U.S. visas draining money from would-be immigrants

by Cooper Inveen
Facebook: Seattleites Kabbie Konteh and Dan Lavin have a special connection to Sierra Leone. Now, they're speaking out against the prevalence of the cash-for-visas market in the country and around the world. Twitter: A pair of Seattleites are speaking out against the prevalence of the cash-for-visas market around the world, in particular Sierra Leone.
Mar 24, 2014
Tin ore, along with tantalum and tungsten make up the "3T minerals" found in DR Congo, which are valuable for use in cell phones and computers. (Photo by of Image Journeys Sasha Lezhnev via Flickr)

Rep. Smith goes to Congo (and returns with trade on his mind)

by Cooper Inveen
Seattle Congressman Adam Smith visited Democratic Republic of Congo, and came back convinced business ties were the best way to end the decades long cycle of war.
Feb 26, 2014

Is Cascadia the new Québec?

by Cooper Inveen
Local activists hope their push for a strong regional identity leads to something more.
Feb 21, 2014