By Michael Hirson, Tsveta Petrova, and Rickard Nyman (*) – The Diplomat Observers of China’s economy need to become more sophisticated in their understanding Beijing’s evolving and competing policy priorities as growth targets fall out of favor When senior Biden administration…
Deutsche Welle (DW) * The Burmese military regime has routinely arrested journalists and banned independent media. But reporters continue to work underground — under pressure from the ruling junta, but also from the opposition. Myanmar’s military government, which…
By Al Jazeera* Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has struck a conciliatory tone towards the kingdom’s arch-nemesis, Iran, saying he sought “good” relations after reports the rivals held secret talks recently in Baghdad. The two countries, locked in a fierce struggle for regional…
By Lambert Strether* of Corrente – Naked Capitalism Our political class does not believe that Barack Obama is a candidate for rehabilitation (“revered by liberals, moderates and even some Republicans“) despite recently pivoting to a consensus that his response to the Great…
By Sonali Kolhatkar* – Independent Media Institute While Americans hailed the announcement that the U.S. would withdraw troops from Afghanistan after nearly two decades of war, President Biden left out the most important details about the war and how it will in fact…
Jan Mortier* – Civitatis Forum The European Commission is proposing to create a Digital Green Certificate to “facilitate safe free movement inside the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The Commission has undemocratic powers to publish a Regulation…
By Mujib Mashal, Salman Masood and Zia ur-Rehman (*) – The New York Times Pakistan’s military stayed allied to both the Americans and Taliban. But now the country may face intensified extremism at home as a result of a perceived Taliban victory. Near the peak of the American war…
By Matthew Karnitschnig* – POLITICO. A mustachioed Turk, two gilded high-back chairs and a plush sofa.
Paul* NEW YORK, Apr 12 2021 (IPS) – Commentators talk about a “new Cold War” between the United States and China. They sometimes conclude that the geopolitical rivalry between these two major powers has ruined the effectiveness of the UN Security Council through hostile vetoes…
By Vijay Prashad* – Globetrotter, Independent Media Institute On March 11, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter that his government has “approved the Strategy for Deoccupation & Reintegration of Crimea.” What he referred to is a new…
