By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS, 29 June 2023 (IDN) — As geopolitics in the militarily-volatile Middle East are undergoing radical changes, including a rapprochement between two former bitter enemies, Iran and Saudi Arabia, the United States is trying to broker a deal described as ground-breaking: diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. But how realistic […]
Is Patriotism Confined to Killing and Being Killed?
By Norman Solomon* SAN FRANCISCO, USA, 29 June 2023 (IDN) — The Fourth of July—the ultimate patriotic holiday—is approaching again. Politicians orate, American Flags proliferate and, even more than usual, many windows on the world are tinted red, white and blue. But an important question remains unasked: Why are patriotism and war so intertwined in […]
Thailand’s ‘Sufficiency Economy’ Philosophy Bears Fruits in Laos
By Pattama Vilailert VIENTIANE, Laos. 28 June 2023 (IDN) — It was at the height of the Thai Economic Crisis in 1997 that the term “sufficiency economics” came into prominence when the late King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej told his people that rather than building factories to become another Asian Tiger, the important thing for […]
A Viable Path for Moving Back to Nuclear Arms Control
By Daryl G. Kimball The writer is the Executive Director of the Arms Control Association (ACA). The following text was published in the organization’s monthly journal, Arms Control Today. WASHINGTON, D.C., 28 June 2023 (IDN) — Deteriorating relations between the major nuclear powers have stymied progress on nuclear arms control and disarmament for more than […]
Climate Change, Disasters and Armed Conflict
By Tobias Ide* This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. PERTH, Australia, 27 June 2023 (IDN) — Humanity will very likely not keep global warming to two degrees Celsius (relative to pre-industrial temperatures). This means that during the 21st century, humanity will cross an important planetary […]
We Still Have a Long Way to Reach a World Sans Violence
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden, 27 June 2023 (IDN) — The world over most of public opinion is ignorant of just how much violence has declined over the last 3,000 years. Judging by the historical record, the 21st century, thus far, is the least violent and safest century of all—despite Ukraine, despite ISIS, despite Iraq, […]
A Troubled Economy Drives Sierra Leoneans to The Ballot Box
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | FREETOWN, 26 June 2023 (IDN) — Presidential and parliamentary elections are under way in Sierra Leone amidst a crippling cost-of-living crisis. Soaring food prices have sparked deadly riots and are a key issue for many voters in the import-dependent nation of eight million people.
Senegalese President Slapped with A Criminal Complaint
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | DAKAR, 26 June 2023 (IDN) — A 170-page complaint has been filed against Senegalese president Macky Sall for “crimes against humanity.” The charge filed in France comes from Ousmane Sonko, Sall’s main political opponent. The crimes were allegedly committed between March 2021 and June 2023.
Africans Making Headway in The Ranks of Popular Sports
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK, 26 June 2023 (IDN) — He’ll be playing basketball in Texas, he’s got a wicked grin, and he’s got a name almost as long as he is tall. If you guessed Victor Wembanyama, give yourself a star. He’s the most hotly anticipated basketball prospect in a generation […]
WHO Investment Platform to Boost Primary Health Care Services
By Jaya Ramachandran PARIS (IDN) — Three multilateral development banks have joined with the World Health Organization (WHO) to launch the Health Impact Investment Platform. This is a landmark development aimed at investing in and strengthening essential, climate-resilient primary health care (PHC) services in low- and low-and-middle-income countries (LICs and LMICs).