Viewpoint by Purnaka L. de Silva* “Anyone who falls into the habit of thinking and expecting the best of his subordinates at all times is, for that reason alone, unsuited to command an army”—Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831) in Vom Kriege (1832) NEW YORK (IDN) — The Kremlin confirmed in September 2014 that Russia’s current President […]
The Ultimate Winners in Ukraine are the World’s Arms Merchants
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN) — The war in Ukraine may not be a head-on conflict between Russia and the United States but it is certainly a battle between the heavily-stocked military arsenals of two of the world’s major military and nuclear powers. At a press briefing March 22, UN Secretary-General António Guterres was […]
Growing Number of Corporations Against Investing in Nuclear Weapons
By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) — “The nuclear weapons narrative is changing. The implicit permission to make weapons of mass destruction is getting revoked by governments, parliamentarians, cities and the financial sector,” says a new report, released ahead of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which marks a turning point in post-Cold War history. Significantly, the Russian […]
World’s Largest Arms Importers Include Nuclear Powers
By Thalif Deen NEW YORK (IDN) — A significant spike in arms imports by Europe, East Asia and Oceania during the last five years has reaffirmed the continuously sharp increase in global arms sales—a rising trend undaunted by a faltering world economy or the two-year-long pandemic lockdown. According to a new study by the Stockholm […]
Russia’s Exit from Western Dominated Organizations—Consequences Far from Certain
By Kester Kenn Klomegah* MOSCOW (IDN) — After the historic fall of the Soviet era, all the 16 former Soviet republics including Russia and Ukraine dreamed of raising their status by joining international organizations. Over the past three decades, Russia became a member of many global bodies, participating actively at the United Nations. It joined […]
Ukraine-Russia Conflict: India Re-Asserts Strategic Autonomy
Viewpoint by Shastri Ramachandaran * NEW DELHI (IDN) — Washington has failed to push India into taking a stand against Moscow in the ongoing US-Russia confrontation, where Ukraine is a victim of both the superpowers. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is indefensible, as war or the use of military force is unacceptable as a means […]
How the U.S. Has Empowered and Armed ‘Neo-Nazis’ in Ukraine
Viewpoint by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J.S. Davies* NEW YORK (IDN) — Russian President Putin has claimed that he ordered the invasion of Ukraine to “denazify” its government, while Western officials, such as former U.S. Ambassador to Moscow Michael McFaul, have called this pure propaganda, insisting, “There are no Nazis in Ukraine.”
Traditional Ties Earn Russia African Countries’ Silence in Critical UN Vote
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Those were the prophetic words of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, recalled now by influencers on social media pressing South Africa to cut or reduce old “friendly ties” with […]
University of Central Asia: Going Online and Quarantine Upsets Students
By Sharofat Shafieva* NARYN, Kyrgyzstan (IDN) — The University of Central Asia (UCA) is a unique institution that brings together students from across Central Asia and Afghanistan building bonds between young people in the region. But, the pandemic has disturbed this process and disappointed many new students who were looking forward to this unique experience.
Russian Assault on Ukraine: India’s Tough Call
Viewpoint by Sugeeswara Senadhira COLOMBO (IDN) — Sri Lanka announced its neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and urged the parties to solve their issue through negotiations. India, though considered to be the best peace broker to intervene to solve the Russia-Ukraine conflict due to its strong relationship with the two countries, is in a dilemma […]