Elections
What and Who Gave Us Trump?
By Ralph Nader* Donald J. Trump’s presidential ambition has simmered for decades.
Politics
Human Rights
UN’s Mandate to Protect Human Rights Takes Another Hit
By Thalif Deen* UNITED NATIONS, May 20 2019 (IPS) – The UN’s longstanding mandate to promote and protect human rights worldwide –- undermined recently by right-wing nationalist governments and authoritarian regimes – has taken another hit. The Geneva-based Office of the UN High…
Politics
Extreme abortion laws shine light on Trump's courting of religious right
By David Smith* – The Guardian Evangelical backing for a thrice-married celebrity is not as odd as it seems: on abortion, the supreme court and more, the president keeps delivering After bowing his head in prayer, Donald Trump addressed faith leaders in the sunshine of the…
Elections
The Far Right Wants to Gut the EU, Not Kill It
Emily Schultheis* – The Atlantic Rather than opting to leave the EU like the U.K., Europe’s far-right parties have instead advocated for change “from within.” BERLIN—Ahead of this month’s European Parliament elections, the far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party…
Armed conflicts
Easter Attacks and Geopolitical Conflict in Sri Lanka
By Asoka Bandarage* Sri Lanka has been convulsed since the nine coordinated suicide bomb attacks against Christian churches and five star hotels on Easter Sunday. More than 250 people lost their lives and many others were injured on that fateful day.
Armed conflicts
Why the Arms Trade Treaty Matters – and Why It Matters That the US Is Walking Away
By Pablo Arrocha Olabuenaga – Just Security (*) It was not surprising or unexpected when President Donald Trump announced that the United States would “withdraw” from the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in an April 26 address to the National Rifle Association (NRA). To a roaring crowd…
Armed conflicts
The US, Iran and a New American Deployment
By George Friedman* – Geopolitical Futures Iran’s influence has spread across the Middle East, and the U.S. is pushing back. The United States has announced that it is deploying a carrier battle group and a bomber group to the Middle East.
Armed conflicts
Why U.S. military intervention in Venezuela is 'possible' — but improbable
By Matt Kwong* – CBC News Threat to intervene militarily could turn into another protracted conflict, experts warn The Vietnam War in 1965. The War in Afghanistan in 2001.
Armed conflicts
Venezuela Uprising: Government Clashes With Opposition
By Tom O’Connor – Newsweek Gunshots, Tear Gas and Vehicle Attack Seen on Video as Government Clashes With Opposition four-month political standoff between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and parliament speaker Juan Guaidó has turned violent as forces loyal to the two…
Democracy
For Radical US Constitutional Reforms
HALL GARDNER* – Wall Street International Magazine A single 5- to 6-year term Presidency now In my last essay for the Wall Street International Magazine, I argued that Democrats and Independents need to push now for a single term presidency in the effort to prevent Trump from…