CIA misled on interrogat
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Monday, March 31, 2014
CIA misled on interrogation program, Senate report says - The Washington Post
CIA misled on interrogat
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Ukraine and Iraq: A Reminder
Ukraine and Iraq: A Reminder
- by David Bromwich
- original http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bromwich/ukraine-and-iraq-a-remind_b_5044749.html
I say this as the president of a country that looked to Europe for the values that are written into our founding documents and which spilled blood to ensure that those values could endure.Read those sentences in order and you pretty much have the plot of it. The stately march of eloquent platitudes, with a dash of humility and an echo of Lincoln like stardust on his sleeve -- it is the pattern we have come to know in many settings. And it prompts a thought. The president might at this point consider the value of not being inspirational.
Those ideas eventually inspired a band of colonists across an ocean.
Dizzying change opens the door of opportunity to the marginalized.
We've never met these people, but we know them. Their voices echo calls for human dignity that rang out in European streets and squares for generations.
Freedom will continue to triumph over tyranny, because that is what forever stirs in the human heart.
Israel's Netanyahu lashes at UN over 'march of hypocrisy'
Israel's Netanyahu lashes at UN over 'march of hypocrisy':
The Israeli PM harshly criticized the UN Human Rights Council for condemning Israel in five resolutions lately
US officials: We can't stop Palestinian UN statehood bid if talks fail
US officials: We can't stop Palestinian UN statehood bid if talks fail:
The
Obama administration has been working to salvage the peace talks that
have been tittering on the brink of collapse for weeks, after Israel
refused to released the fourth and final group of Palestinian security
prisoners on Saturday.
Jimmy Carter concerned about possible breach of international law by Washington
Jimmy Carter concerned about possible breach of international law by Washington:
Former
American President Jimmy Carter has warned the US Secretary of State
John Kerry of violating international law in his potential peace
framework agreement between the Palestinians and the Israeli
occupation.
Ebola outbreak in Guinea 'unprecedented'
Ebola outbreak in Guinea 'unprecedented' - MSF:
An
official with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the spread of the
disease across the country made it very difficult to control.
Noam Chomsky "Spending Money Is Not Speech"
Noam Chomsky "Spending Money Is Not Speech"
Video
'Let's Forget Any Pretense of Being a Democratic Society'
U.S. "Stock Market Is Rigged"
U.S. "Stock Market Is Rigged"
Video
Michael
Lewis reveals how a group of unlikely characters discovered how some
high speed traders work the stock market to their advantage.
Syria: Grim Realities and Short Memories
Published on March 31st, 2014 | http://www.lobelog.com/syria-
Syria: Grim Realities and Short Memories
by Wayne White The remorseless death toll and Assad regime gains in Syria have generated intense criticism in Washington of US policy toward the country. Other observers have also taken up this meme, often claiming the regime would have fallen long ago had the US and West intervened militarily or even just armed the Syrian rebels. Robust US/NATO military action may well have overthrown the regime, but too many recent critics have forgotten the political obstacles (and flawed assumptions) that undermined such choices during the war’s first 18 months. And now, despite widespread appeals, a substantial improvement in humanitarian aid and a political solution are also elusive, at least in the near-term.Humanitarian crisis
Sheldon Adelson Says No Republican Candidate Worth Buying
http://www.newyorker.com/
March 31, 2014
Sheldon Adelson Says No Republican Candidate Worth Buying
Posted by Andy Borowitz
LAS VEGAS (The Borowitz Report)—The
casino billionaire and Republican kingmaker Sheldon Adelson met several
2016 G.O.P. candidates available for purchase over the weekend, but
decided to buy none of them, Adelson confirmed today.
Oakland Institute: World Bank Accused of Destroying Traditional Farming to Support Corporate Land Grabs
Oakland Institute: World Bank Accused of Destroying Traditional Farming to Support Corporate Land Grabs
http://www.commondreams.org/
http://www.commondreams.org/
Chris Hedges: Fighting the Militarized State
Chris Hedges: Fighting the Militarized State
http://www.commondreams.org/
http://www.commondreams.org/
Ukraine: Make Some of Russia’s Proposals Our Own by Anatol Lieven
Ukraine: Make Some of Russia’s Proposals Our Own by Anatol Lieven
http://russialist.org/ukraine-make-some-of-russias-proposals-our-own/
Nations that Block Social Media
Nations that Block Social Media
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
On Thursday, the Turkish government blocked the country's access to YouTube,
after banningTwitter earlier this month, in an effort to quell anti-government
sentiment prior to local elections on March 30.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that social networks are
facilitating the spread of wiretapped recordings that have been politically
damaging. The YouTube block reportedly came about after a video surfaced of
government [...]
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
On Thursday, the Turkish government blocked the country's access to YouTube,
after banningTwitter earlier this month, in an effort to quell anti-government
sentiment prior to local elections on March 30.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says that social networks are
facilitating the spread of wiretapped recordings that have been politically
damaging. The YouTube block reportedly came about after a video surfaced of
government [...]
The Demise of Silk Road Created a Vacuum That was Quickly Filled
The Demise of Silk Road Created a Vacuum That was Quickly Filled
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
Silk Road was known for selling everything illegal from drugs and guns to hired
killings.
It was finally shut down in October after years of investigation by the FBI,
who arrested the website's administrator and confiscated his small fortune of
bitcoins.
At the time it was lauded as a huge success for law enforcement.
Judge Declared Insane Seeks Job Back
Judge Declared Insane Seeks Job Back
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
Can a suspended Cook County judge return to the bench after being declared
legally insane at the time she shoved a sheriff’s deputy in 2012?
For the first time in Illinois, attorneys on the case say, a judicial
disciplinary panel has begun tackling the question of whether a judge whose
psychotic episodes can apparently be controlled [...]
Russia Conducts Huge Nuclear War Excercise
Russia Conducts Huge Nuclear War Excercise
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
Russia on Saturday ended a massive three-day nuclear war exercise involving
10,000 soldiers, as the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War continues.
The drill, which utilised over 30 military units and 1000 pieces of equipment,
was to ensure that Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces are prepared to conduct
offensive operations in the event of a massive [...]
The Economist’s Crony Capitalism Index Does Not Measure Crony Capitalism
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The Economist’s Crony Capitalism Index Does Not Measure Crony Capitalismby Eden Schiffmann |
The Economist’s recent cover story,
introducing what it calls the "Crony-Capitalism Index", has generated a
lot of buzz. The study ranks 23 countries (counting Hong Kong
separately) based on the Economist’s calculation of the prevalence of politically connected business dealing. The study takes billionaires from the Forbes Billionaires List
who are primarily active in certain industries (such as casinos,
banking, extractive industries, real estate, utilities, etc.) that the Economist
deems “rent-heavy,” and looks at these billionaires’ share of the
economic pie in their country. The index has already been used as the
basis for media criticism of those countries that scored poorly, such
as Hong Kong (1st) and Malaysia (3rd) — indeed, the Malaysian government was so upset that it censored the Economist for the week the index came out.
Some
of the results are unsurprising: Russia and India score fairly high in
this measure of crony capitalism, whereas Germany bottoms out the list.
But other results are more puzzling. Not only does the index report
that Hong Kong has more crony capitalism than mainland China, but also
that mainland China has less crony capitalism than either the United
States or Great Britain. What gives? Does the United States really have
more of a crony capitalism problem than China?
FAS Roundup: March 31, 2014 Hard to access declassified satellite images, Nuclear Security Summit, Air Force scandal and more.
FAS Roundup: March 31, 2014
Hard to access declassified satellite images, Nuclear Security Summit, Air Force scandal and more.
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Obama Meeting With King Abdullah Deepened Tensions
http://mebriefing.com/
Middle East Briefing #20
Middle East Briefing #20
Obama Meeting With King Abdullah Deepened Tensions
The long-anticipated meeting between President Obama
and King Abdullah was contentious, according to MEB sources contacted
just hours after the visit. While no definitive answer was given during
the course of the meeting, the Obama Administration had decided, in
advance of the summit, to reject requests for more advanced weapons,
including manpads, to be delivered to select Syrian rebel groups. The
decision was based on a CIA review of the ability of ISIL and the Al
Nusra Front to obtain weapons that were in some cases destined for more
secular and moderate rebel fighting forces, and on the growing role of
Pakistan in providing arms to all rebel factions, in conjunction with
Saudi Arabia.
80 percent of U.S. adults face near-poverty, unemployment, survey finds
80 percent of U.S. adults face near-poverty, unemployment, survey finds
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/80-percent-of-us-adults-face-near-poverty-unemployment-survey-finds/
A family left out of Obamacare The Man in the Middle has “affordable” coverage; the ACA’s “family glitch” snags his wife and kids -
A family left out of Obamacare
The Man in the Middle has “affordable” coverage; the ACA’s “family glitch” snags his wife and kids
- See more at: http://www.cjr.org/the_second_opinion/a_family_left_out_of_obamacare.php#sthash.DNHD90OK.dpufhttp://www.cjr.org/the_second_opinion/a_family_left_out_of_obamacare.php
Insurers already calculating 2015 premiums as Obamacare kicks in
Insurers already calculating 2015 premiums as Obamacare kicks in
Far more Californians than expected have bought plans through the state health insurance exchange. How sick they are will factor into next year's prices.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-obamacare-deadline-rates-20140330,0,5708594.story#axzz2xS7Wgaki
Was Obamacare Worth It? How Many of the Previously Uninsured Have Really Signed Up?
Was Obamacare Worth It? How Many of the Previously Uninsured Have Really Signed Up?
http://healthpolicyandmarket.blogspot.com/2014/03/was-obamacare-worth-it-how-many-of.html
Fatter Cows and Chickens from GM Crops
Fatter Cows and Chickens from GM Crops
Biotech turns to DNA editing technology to engineer easier-to-digest plants for farm animals.
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/525786/fatter-cows-and-chickens-from-gm-crops/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_source=newsletter-weekly-energy&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20140331
Trans-Pacific Partnership: Geopolitics, Not Growth
Mar 31, 2014 03:00 am | Samuel Rines
The
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the proposed trade deal linking the US
with eleven other countries ranging from Brunei to Australia and Chile,
will be an economically transformative agreement—but not for the US.
Estimates by Petri, Plummer and Zhai (used throughout) place US GDP
gains at only 0.13 percent, $27 [billion, by 2025. At about 57 percent
of TPP participant GDP and 40 percent of the population, the US is too
big to benefit from the deal, and many of the other nations involved are
already tied together by agreements. If the entirety of the $210
billion annual benefit to 2025 global GDP from TPP were to accrue to the
US, it would only add about 1 percent to GDP.But realizing an immediate economic benefit is not the American goal. It’s more about engaging with emerging Asia and being present while the rules of trade are set. Exports and privileged access to the US market benefit emerging Asia, as the terms of trade will favor them over trading partners not at the table. The US and Japan could also act an economic counterbalance to China in the region—helping the smaller, less-developed countries compete for export growth.
While China has said it would like to be part of the discussions, it has yet to sit at the table. China would stand to lose about 1.2 percent in exports, but only about 0.3 percent GDP—translating to only $57 billion in export losses and $47 billion lower GDP. These losses are easily surmountable, and China does not lose enough to be convinced to participate in discussions surrounding state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and governmental participation in the economy.
read more
California Obamacare exchange sent out voter ballots pre-marked as ‘Democratic
California Obamacare exchange sent out voter ballots pre-marked as ‘Democratic’
http://dailycaller.com/2014/03/31/california-obamacare-exchange-sent-out-voter-ballots-pre-marked-as-democratic/
Is ObamaCare a Law? A chance for the judiciary to address executive lawlessness.
Is ObamaCare a Law?
A chance for the judiciary to address executive lawlessness.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304418404579465222129878160?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304418404579465222129878160.html
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Ukraine’s Inconvenient Neo-Nazis
http://consortiumnews.com/
By Robert Parry
Ukraine’s Inconvenient Neo-Nazis
March 30, 2014
Exclusive: When Ukrainian neo-Nazis – infuriated over the killing of an ultranationalist leader – surrounded the Parliament in Kiev, the incident presented a problem for the U.S. news media which has been trying to airbrush the neo-Nazis out of the Ukraine narrative, Robert Parry reports.By Robert Parry
The Dilution of the Family in Human Rights
The Dilution of the Family in Human Rights
Comments on Vallianatos and Other ECHR Cases on 'Family Life': Reinforcing the State's Hold Over Society in Exchange for the Promise of Greater Freedom for Individuals.
http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/the-dilution-of-the-family-in-human-rightsPope Francis' Blueprint for Republican Rebranding
Pope Francis' Blueprint for Republican Rebranding
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/03/30/pope_francis_blueprint_for_republican_rebranding_122099.html122 World Leaders Reportedly Targeted by NSA
122 World Leaders Reportedly Targeted by NSA
http://www.darkgovernment.com/
New leaked NSA documents published in Der Spiegel and The Intercept appear
to reveal more details about how that agency targeted a list of world leaders
that is larger than previously thought.
The documents, leaked to the publications by Edward Snowden, contain a list of
11 world leaders that have been targeted by a system known as Nymrod — however
Houston We Have a Problem
1,892 US Veterans Are Thought To Have Committed Suicide Since January 1, 2014
http://www.businessinsider.com/veterans-suicide-2014-3?utm_source=alerts&nr_email_referer=1Forgetting the Lessons of Deterrence
http://consortiumnews.com/
By Paul R. Pillar
Forgetting the Lessons of Deterrence
March 29, 2014
“Tough-guy/gal-ism” is rampant again in Official Washington with many New Cold Warriors lusting for a military confrontation with Russia. But few of these hawks have a clear idea how deterrence worked during the real Cold War, writes ex-CIA analyst Paul R. Pillar.By Paul R. Pillar
Mohammed Omer Guest Post: Some Animals Are More Caged Than Others…But Why? By Mohammed Omer
WRMEA, May 2014, Pages 19-20
Gaza on the Ground
Some Animals Are More Caged Than Others…But Why?
By Mohammed Omer
A young Palestinian girl waits with her family at the Rafah border to cross into Egypt. (Photo M. Omer)
I drag our suitcases, mine and my pregnant wife Lina’s,
through the often impenetrable Rafah Crossing, at the border between the
Gaza Strip and Egypt. It’s a ritual carried out by thousands whenever
it is announced that the border will be open. Even so, would-be
travelers wonder whether they will in fact be permitted to cross into
Egypt, or if they will end up waiting all day, only to have to return
home and try again tomorrow.
We’ve been trying to cross for two months. Now eight
months pregnant, Lina is nearing her due date, and each day it becomes
more difficult and dangerous for her and our unborn child. I am lucky: I
have citizenship in another country, so we have options. Most of the
1.7 million people living in Gaza do not. Like parents the world over,
we want our child born where he or she will be safe. Not under
apartheid. Not under siege. Somewhere opportunities exist, where laws
aren’t passed and human rights doled out based on religion, race and
ethnicity. We seek somewhere where it is safe, with a future and, above
all, free.
There are only two crossings through which, if allowed,
Gazans can reach the outside world. Gaza does have a seaport and
airport, but Israel has blockaded the seaport and bombed the airport,
rendering it useless since 2000. That leaves the Rafah Crossing in the
south, guarded by Egypt with Israeli overseers, and the Erez crossing to
the north, into Israel. Israel requires that all Palestinians enter and
leave through the same crossing. Rafah tends to be slightly easier and
doesn’t require traveling through hostile and dangerous settler
territory.
Today our journey began at 7 a.m. We made our way to the
Rafah crossing, carrying luggage and other necessities for an extended
stay abroad. We sat at the gate, surrounded by our luggage, waiting for
Egyptian border patrol officers to call our names. Three hours pass.
Coffee and conversation help pick up the slack. Another hour goes by.
Still nothing. We wait. There are now thousands with us: men, women,
children, elderly and sick milling about, all clutching tight to
belongings. We all wait for a moment of empathy, for a border policeman
to be in a good mood and decide that today he’ll let us through.
High noon. I smile at my wife and gently touch her
swollen belly carrying a life inside, wondering if we will have to
return home and wait for the border to be opened again in a few days, or
weeks. No one ever knows.
Suddenly a border policeman on the Palestinian side
approaches us, his walkie-talkie crackles out our names. He gestures for
us to hurry onto the bus that we’ve been looking at for hours. The bus
is hot and crowded, but preferable to sitting outside. In the seat in
front of us I recognize the president of my university as we settle in.
Our passports have already been stamped at the Palestinian side. Again
we wait. The bus will take us to the gate at the border with Egypt.
The Egyptian Terminal
It’s a short drive. The lines, security checks and buses
are used to control access and crowds, rather than territory or
security. When we arrive at the Egyptian terminal more lines confront
us. More waiting. There are hundreds of people everywhere, some sitting
on suitcases, others standing looking quizzically at signs forbidding
photographs. Obviously, the authorities do not want these conditions
publicized. I am reminded of Animal Farm and wouldn’t be
surprised to see George Orwell somewhere in the crowd taking notes. If
it weren’t real life, the absurdity of the situation would be funny.
We wait for our names to be called. More hours pass.
Lina is hungry and tired. Now it’s 5 o’clock. Finally Egyptian security
calls out our names: “Yes sir, that’s us.” I reply quickly, rushing up
to the kiosk with our belongings. “My wife is traveling with me to give
birth abroad; here are our visas and papers. Thank you.”
He orders us to sit and wait a “few minutes.” I smile at
him. But he is right. A few minutes later, we proceed through the
border and to another 20-minute walk. We are among the last to pass
through. Those behind us are sent back to Gaza due to a collapse in the
computer system—a common occurrence. Sadly, they will have to start the
whole procedure all over again.
Outside the bus we hear the tat-tat-tat of gunfire and
the ping of bullets hitting metal. Egyptian soldiers a few kilometers
away in El Arish impose a curfew, which they announce by shooting at the
legs of Bedouin youths refusing to comply with orders. They continue to
announce it by firing at birds, trees and moving vehicles—including
buses. I glance at my wife and am reminded that bullets and babies are
not compatible. I wonder if she regrets leaving our families. This must
be so frightening to her—it’s her first time leaving Gaza.
The Taxi
We have to walk another few kilometers to reach the taxi
stand. Our driver on the Egyptian side has been waiting patiently for
our arrival—since 10 a.m. I had originally estimated that it would take
us a couple of hours to reach him; I didn’t anticipate that the Egyptian
regime would revamp its travel restrictions. Thankfully, he
understands.
We climb into the taxi. I see an elderly man and woman
walking behind us, burdened with heavy boxes. Both their daughters are
studying in Cairo, and the parents are bringing supplies to replace
belongings recently lost in a fire. Others struggling with luggage can
be seen behind them. Around us the sound of rifle fire continues as we
drive on. We’re nervous. The curfew is now in effect in Rafah and El
Arish.
Our taxi driver does his best to find alternate routes
to the main highway, which normally would take two minutes to reach.
Under curfew, however, it takes 45. All the while curfew warning shots
continue to ring about us. A few bounce off the rims of our tires as our
driver pushes through.
Lina and I have three options at this point: stop where
we are; keep driving through toward Cairo; or return to the crossing.
But none of these choices will protect us from the bullets. Having gone
this far, through so many delays, we decide to press on through the
Sinai. We have two priorities: our safety and catching our flight out of
Cairo.
Thankfully, the KLM customer relations director had
given us flexible tickets in case of unforeseen or unavoidable
circumstances, starting at the Rafah border. That’s assuming, of course,
we reached the airport at all!
Checkpoints
Traveling through the Sinai Desert requires passing
through nine military checkpoints. At every stop all luggage must be
opened and rechecked. If one is Palestinian, the searches take longer,
with soldiers going through laptops, cameras and personal belongings.
It’s humiliating—but better than dodging bullets on the street during
curfew. The final checkpoint, the Al Salam Bridge over the Suez Canal,
is closed when we arrive. This means we must take a boat to complete our
journey.
It’s dark and cold now. Lina waits huddled in the taxi. I
wonder why it is I must feel lucky to be able to travel from Rafah to
Cairo in 19 hours. Normally, this is a five-hour trip. Of course, for
travelers not carrying a Palestinian passport, it still is.
Palestinians are the only Arab people without a state.
We are required to recognize the rights of others to live in safety,
freedom and security, but no one recognizes our right to do so. Instead
we’re forced to live like caged animals, contained and trapped inside
reservations and bantustans, segregated, alienated from our land and
heritage, treated as lesser humans, herded by armed guards through
crammed, narrow, metal checkpoints. And not just by Israelis, but by
Egyptians as well. Not that long ago, Gaza was under Egyptian rule.
We’re still the same people—yet we’re disrespected and subjected to
endless cold questions and looks of suspicion.
Why is it that some people are treated like animals,
while others are deemed human beings worthy of respect? Which humans
have the right to determine who is human and who a lesser mortal or
animal? Did the world not learn the lessons of the 1930s and 1940s, the
danger that comes when race or faith are used to determine an
individual’s humanity? How do I explain this to my son or daughter?
Fortunately, my child will be born in a free country in
Europe. His or her faith, skin color, ancestry, language and accent will
not be used to determine whether this child is a human being, where he
or she can live and travel. One day I’ll tell my child about the trip we
took so he or she could begin life in freedom.
My child is a human being—as is every child. In a civilized world, no
human being should ever have to go through what we go through in Gaza.Award-winning journalist Mohammed Omer reports on the Gaza Strip and maintains the Web site <www.rafahtoday.org>. He can be reached at
Is American democracy headed to extinction?
The Washington Post
Is American democracy headed to extinction?
By Stein Ringen, Published: March 28
Stein Ringen is an emeritus professor at Oxford University and the author of “Nation of Devils: Democratic Leadership and the Problem of Obedience.”http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Michael Hudson on the Real Logic of the $14+ Billion Ukraine Rescue Package
The Forgotten Principles of Deterrence
Mar 28, 2014 01:27 pm | Paul R. Pillar
An irony of how the events in Ukraine and the
associated altercation with Russia have thrown many commentators and
policy critics into a Cold War mode is that those same commentators and
critics seem to have forgotten (or never learned) much relevant doctrine
that was developed and honed during the real Cold War. The doctrine in
question embraces many principles involving any attempt to exert power
and to exercise influence over other states. The most relevant aspects
of doctrine involve deterrence—using threats to dissuade someone from
doing something we do not want done—as well as some related concepts
also involving coercive methods of trying to influence an adversary's
behavior.Sophisticated treatment of these topics can become somewhat complicated, getting into such matters as multiple levels of deterrence and stability-instability paradoxes. But what much of the commentary on current issues ignores is really rather simple. It is stuff that should be apparent upon careful but straightforward thinking about the objectives, costs, and benefits that apply to the people on the other side of a conflict. Although applications of the principles have endless variations, the principles themselves are immutable. Probably what is still the clearest statement of them came during the height of the Cold War from Thomas Schelling, who received the Nobel memorial prize in economics largely for that work.
read morehttp://server1.nationalinterest.org/blog/paul-pillar/the-forgotten-principles-deterrence-10148
How the NSA Can Use Metadata to Predict Your Personality
How the NSA Can Use Metadata to Predict Your Personality:
A group
of researchers from the MIT Media Lab found that your metadata -
including, but not limited to, the way in which you use your phone, how
you make calls, to whom, for how long, etc. - can serve as an
indicator of your personality.
How Vladimir Putin Became Evil By Tariq Ali
How Vladimir Putin Became Evil
By Tariq Ali
The US and UK condemn him for Crimea but supported him over the war in Chechnya. Why? Because now he refuses to play ball.
U.S. Sanctions Will Not Hurt Russia : Jim Rogers By Nadezhda Kulikova
U.S. Sanctions Will Not Hurt Russia : Jim Rogers
By Nadezhda Kulikova
I think Mr. Obama is making the fool of himself yet again.
War Fever in the Air By Eric Margolis
Friday, March 28, 2014
IPS Picks of the Week 3/28
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Côte d’Ivoire’s Middle Class - Growing or Disappearing?
Marc-Andre Boisvert
“I’m middle class. Definitively,” Sonia Anoh, a young and independent
30-year-old Ivorian tells IPS. Anoh has a master’s degree, earns 1,470
dollars a month working in marketing, lives alone, owns a car and is now
shopping for a home.
But while Anoh freely talks about her economic status, not ...
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Non-Nuclear Ukraine Haunts Security Summit in The Hague
Thalif Deen
The two-day, much-ballyhooed Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in the Netherlands, which concluded Tuesday,
was politically haunted by the upheaval in Ukraine - the former Soviet
republic that renounced some 1,800 of its nuclear weapons in one of the
world's most successful disarmament exercises back ...
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Ethiopia’s Textile Manufacturers Benefit from Global Interest
James Jeffrey
The sign for Salem’s directs you off a busy road in Addis Ababa, down a
side street to a compound where multiple pairs of feet move up and down
working treadles, and wooden shuttles flit back and forth, as Ethiopian
sheumanoch — weavers — ply their trade.
Seated at their looms, most appear to be ...
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A Honduran Paradise that Doesn’t Want to Anger the Sea Again
Thelma MejÃa
At the mouth of the Aguán river on the Caribbean coast of Honduras, a
GarÃfuna community living in a natural paradise that was devastated 15
years ago by Hurricane Mitch has set an example of adaptation to climate
change.
“We don’t want to make the sea angry again, we don’t want a repeat of
what ...
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Fighting a 'Losing' War With the Taliban
Ashfaq Yusufzai
Pakistan is in the midst of a heated debate on continuing military
operations against the Taliban in the Federally Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA), especially after the brutal killing of 23 army soldiers
last month.
Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan claims that the government
acknowledges ...
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Increased Instability Predicted for Egypt
Jim Lobe
International human rights groups have strongly denounced Monday’s
sentencing by an Egyptian court of 529 Islamists to death for a riot in
which one policeman was killed.
Egypt specialists here say the sentences, which are widely seen as the
latest in a series of steps taken by the authorities ...
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Anger Rises Over Racism in India
Bijoyeta Das
L. Khino, 27, vividly remembers Christmas Eve at the Indian capital’s
famed Connaught Place shopping hub four years ago: the blinking lights,
the buzzing crowd, the winter chill - and the salty taste of her tears.
Khino had just arrived in New Delhi from her home in India’s
northeastern state of ...
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Ukraine Confronts Another Split
Zack Baddorf
In Donetsk’s Lenin Square, Yuroslav Korotenko keeps a constant vigil
inside a tent erected just a few feet away from a massive statue of
Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin.
“We stay here and save this monument and this place, because people in
the West come this place with war,” Korotenko told IPS. ...
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Injecting HIV Into Pakistan
Ashfaq Yusufzai
Pakistan may have low prevalence of HIV/AIDS, with only about 9,000
officially confirmed cases, but the country is at high risk,
particularly due to a growing number of injecting drug users (IDUs), say
experts.
Of the country’s 180 million people, 420,000 are IDUs according to the
Drug Use in ...
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In Memoriam: James R. Schlesinger
Mar 27, 2014 07:00 pm | The Editors and Publishers
Jim
Schlesinger passed away on March 26 due to complications from
pneumonia. In addition to a remarkable career in government that
included service in three cabinet posts—Secretary of Defense, Director
of the Central Intelligence Agency, and the first Secretary of
Energy—Jim held a series of central roles at The National Interest and
its parent institution, the Center for the National Interest. He was
most recently Chairman of The National Interest’s Advisory Council and
was earlier its Publisher for many years. The Center might not exist
without him, as he was among a small group of informal advisors to
former President Richard Nixon who recommended its creation in its prior
incarnation as The Nixon Center. He was the first Chairman of the
Center’s Executive Committee and was a member of the Board of Directors
for two decades.Schlesinger’s brand of high-minded realism—combining strategic thinking, pragmatism, and a commitment to America’s principles as a source of strength and leadership—continues as Center’s and The National Interest’s defining philosophy today. We will greatly miss him, and especially his penetrating analysis and wise counsel, which have been essential in our work. Nevertheless, Jim’s legacy will continue to shape everything that we do in trying to understand today’s uncertain world.http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/memoriam-james-r-schlesinger-10141
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