The Weaponization of Religion Amid Hybrid Cold War in The Indian Ocean Region Viewpoint by Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake The writer is a cultural and medical anthropologist with research expertise in international political economy, peace, and development studies in South and South-East Asia. Her research spans issues in gender and women’s empowerment, migration and multiculturalism, ethno-religious identity […]
UN Forum Highlights New Initiatives to Tackle Inequalities Exacerbated by Pandemic
By Radwan Jakeem NEW YORK (IDN) — With many economies reeling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as inequalities continue to widen, world leaders discussed options to unlock concrete investments to support a sustainable and resilient recovery at the Forum on Financing for Development (FfD Forum) from April 12-15. The four-day Forum, held […]
The Global South Is Swamped in Debt Pandemic
Viewpoint by Daniel Munevar * Covid-19 is not the only pandemic ravaging across the Global South. A debt pandemic threatens to prevent developing countries’ recovery, writes Daniel Munevar, an eminent debt justice advisor. This article was originally published in the Journal of International Politics and Society issued by the German Friedrich-Ebert Foundation’s Brussels office. BRUSSELS […]
Russia Needs Migrants to Realize its Infrastructure Projects
By Kester Kenn Klomegah * MOSCOW (IDN) — Despite various official efforts, including regular payment of maternal capital to stimulate birth rates and regulating migration policy to boost the population, Russia is reportedly experiencing decreasing population. According to the Federal State Statistics Service, Russia’s population currently stands at approximately 144 million, down from 148.3 million.
Modernization, New Weapons and The Risks to International Security
Viewpoint by Sergio Duarte The writer is Ambassador, former High Representative of the United Nations for Disarmament Affairs and current President of Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs NEW YORK (IDN) — “Reliance on nuclear weapons for [deterrence] is becoming increasingly hazardous and decreasingly effective.” George P. Shultz, William J. Perry, Henry A. […]
27 Million in the Sahel and West Africa Facing Unprecedented Food and Nutrition Crisis
By Jaya Ramachandaran PARIS (IDN) — The Sahel and West Africa are facing a major food and nutrition crisis for the second consecutive year and 27.1 million people will be at risk during the 2021 lean season, according to experts. A swift and co-ordinated response, they say, is needed alongside strengthened political commitment to finding […]
Erupting Caribbean Volcano Enhances Solidarity to Save Lives & Property
By P.I. Gomes Dr P.I. Gomes is former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, the Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS was previously ACP Group of States). PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (IDN) — La Soufriere volcano in the northeast of the main island of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, after warning signs of rumblings […]
Plea for Diverting Funds from Nuclear Weapons to Combating COVID-19
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) — The Nobel laureate International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), a coalition of non-governmental organizations promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations nuclear weapon ban treaty, has been pleading for divestment in nuclear weapons. “The imminent entry-into-force of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear […]
Solving the Riddle of Who Won the Second World War
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) — Who won the Second World War? If you go to the United Kingdom people will answer, we did, led by Winston Churchill. If you visit the USA people will say, we did, led by Franklin Roosevelt. If you go to Russia, people will say the Soviet Union […]
DON’T QUOTE ME: Did US Spies Read Russian Lips in the UN Security Council Chamber?
The following excerpts are from a newly-released, 220-page book titled “No Comment – and Don’t Quote me on That”, a rich collection of political anecdotes, both serious and hilarious, reflecting over 40 years of reporting from the United Nations* By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS, (IDN) — The United Nations, along with the 193 diplomatic missions […]