By A. L A. Azeez Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva COLOMBO (IDN) — Most comments that have come out in public since the sad passing away of Prof. Hasbullah in August 2018 appear to give due credit to him for the work he has done to highlight […]
US Remains Restrained Over North Korea’s Missile Tests & Nuclear Threats
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The US response to North Korea’s continued missile tests—and occasional nuclear threats—has been surprisingly restrained. The reaction has been summed up in two words: dialogue and diplomacy. On August 17, North Korea fired two cruise missiles toward the sea off its west coast. And, according to a report […]
Electoral Epic Of “Hustler Vs. Dynasty” in Kenya
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) — One of the ironies of politics is how easily fiction becomes reality, and reality, precedent. Before our eyes, the president-elect of Kenya, William Ruto, who has played all sides of Kenya’s politics for at least […]
We Can Do So Much More on Student Loan Forgiveness
Viewpoint by India Walton and Sam Rosenthal SAN FRANCISCO, USA (IDN) — As a presidential candidate, Joe Biden was hardly bullish on student debt cancellation. He was cajoled by progressives and his presidential primary opponents into adopting a more forceful student debt cancellation stance, one which ultimately helped win him the support of young voters. […]
Some European Leaders Warn of the End of Western Hegemony
By Shastri Ramachandaran NEW DELHI (IDN) — Those who assert that western hegemony is no longer sustainable can take heart from the fact that movers and shakers on the world stage are also saying this. French President Emmanuel Macron has proclaimed that “Western hegemony is nearing its end”. Perhaps, the most erudite among the heads […]
Ukraine’s Life-Saving Health System Prepares for A Challenging Winter Ahead
WHO Media Release GENEVA (IDN) — At the six-month mark of the war in Ukraine, the country’s badly affected but still-resilient health system is taking stock of lessons learned in providing life-saving care with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners as it prepares for a challenging winter ahead.
Nuclear Weapons Are a Clear Threat to A Sustainable Future for Humanity
Viewpoint by Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima, Japan The following is the content of Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki’s speech at a side event (co-hosted by Nagasaki and Hiroshima Prefectures) under the theme “Nexus between Nuclear Disarmament and Sustainable Future” held at UN Headquarters on August 1, the first day of the 2022 NPT Review Conference. […]
Navigating Climate-Related Mobility and Human Security in the Pacific Islands
Viewpoint by Tim Westbury This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. BRISBANE, Australia (IDN) — The Pacific Islands security narrative is often dominated by voices and interests from outside of the region. At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue, among the hype surrounding geostrategic competition in the Pacific, […]
UN Capable of Negotiating Peace in Russia’s War with Ukraine
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — In late 2004 the U.S. was ignoring the UN despite it being obvious to the outside world that it was increasingly bogged down in Iraq following its misconceived war. On November 15, when the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi Governing Council signed an agreement that set […]
Newly Elected Kenyan Leader Ends Voting by Tribe, Analysts Say
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Is the two-party system a thing of the past? Low voter turnout in the US seems to reflect disenchantment with a single choice between Democrats and Republicans. Kenya is no different. This month, Kenyans tossed the traditional toss-up between the Luo and Kikuyu ethnic groups […]