The diamond dilemma and you

Katy Winn/Getty Images Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, opens tonight in U.S. theaters. Hollywood’s latest take on conflict diamonds isn’t shy about pointing the finger at the precious gem industry. But with brutal African civil wars fueled by diamonds now over and new trade controls in place, is buying that engagement ring ...

Katy Winn/
Getty Images



Katy Winn/
Getty Images

Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connelly, opens tonight in U.S. theaters.

Hollywood’s latest take on conflict diamonds isn’t shy about pointing the finger at the precious gem industry. But with brutal African civil wars fueled by diamonds now over and new trade controls in place, is buying that engagement ring as ethically charged as it once was?

In an FP web exclusive, Nicholas Stein argues that the issue of conflict diamonds is more multi-faceted than you might think.

If after reading Stein’s piece you want to dig deeper into this topic, check out FP‘s interview with Blood Diamond director Ed Zwick and our photo essay, A Trail of Diamonds, which takes you from the mines of West Africa through to the showrooms of Paris. And if that doesn’t use up your guilt quota for the week, this week’s List looks at other goods with dubious origins.

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.