By Lakshi De Vass Gunawardena UNITED NATIONS, Aug 2019 (IPS) – Being fluent in a world language is a desirable skill in modern day society. However, some languages are suffering and in danger of extinction — namely those of the indigenous peoples. “There are between 6,000 and…
Asoka Bandarage* – Asia Times The Indian Ocean is one of the most contested regions in the world today. China, the US and India, and also Japan, Saudi Arabia and other rich and powerful states, are struggling for influence over Sri Lanka, which is in the geographic heart of the…
By Blerim Mustafa* What matters more: ethics or profit? GENEVA, Aug 8 2019 (IPS) – “I don’t want to see a single war millionaire created in the United States as a result of this world disaster.” 1 These were the words of US President Franklin D.
By Paul Krugman Why has the Republican Party become a systematic enabler of terrorism? Don’t pretend to be shocked. Just look at G.O.P. responses to the massacre in El Paso.
Shapiro –Geopolitical Futures China’s complacency is a sign of confidence, not weakness After three months, the Hong Kong extradition protests of 2019 have become quotidian. The Monday morning question for China-watchers has not been whether a protest took place but how many…
Danny Holt* – Newsweek Last Monday, the Trump administration announced a new expedited removal policy, expanding the Department of Homeland Security’s power to deport more immigrants with increased speed. This news comes on the heels of a series of raids last week targeting…
By Jeet Heer*- The Nation The president wants African Americans to kiss his ring Donald Trump is mercurial even in his racism. A bigot but also a flibbertigibbet, Trump has a tendency to move rapidly from expressions of contempt for people of color to offering them overtures of…
By Felix Dodds * NEW YORK, Jul 29 2019 (IPS) – As some of you will know I have a new book out Stakeholder Democracy: Represented Democracy in a Time of Fear. (other contributors to the book were: Jan-Gustav Strandenaes, Carolina Duque Chopitea, Minu Hemmati, Susanne Salz…
By Thalif Deen* UNITED NATIONS, Jul 26 2019 (IPS) – The United States is no exception to the practice of modern day slavery—a crime for which it is rarely held accountable at the United Nations. A rash of hidden crimes widespread in US inner cities and border towns…
By Boaventura de Sousa Santos* The words that come to mind the most are astonishment and perplexity. The Brazilian government has slipped into the abyss of absurdity, into an absolute trivialization of abuse and aggression, into a gross violation of the most basic rules of…
