Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Of all the present foes of America it is Iran which has consistently been over time the number one. Since its Islamic Revolution in 1979 that overthrew the secular-minded Shah and supplanted him with a militant, sometimes warlike, Islamic theocracy, it has been America’s Great Satan. (But […]
The Importance of Gambia Invoking Genocide Convention Against Myanmar
Viewpoint by Rene Wadlow, President, Association of World Citizens GENEVA (IDN) – The Government of Gambia on November 11, 2019 has brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague a complaint against the Government of Myanmar (formerly Burma) for violation of the 1948 Convention on Genocide concerning actions against the Rohingya. Under […]
$78 Billion a Year Will Suffice to Abolish Extreme Poverty
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power “Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere” is the first of 17 Goals of the United Nations. The latest data indicate that it would cost only $78 billion a year – less than 0.1% of Global GDP – to abolish extreme poverty. Indeed, there is an argument for giving the abolition […]
Fukuyama Expects People to Still Mark 1989 in 100 Years
Deutsche Welle Interview BERLIN (IDN-INPS) – “I think democracy has got a lot of strengths that may not be evident in the short run, but will play out over the longer run because the ability to change your leaders, ability to hold them accountable is really important,” American political scientist and writer Francis Fukuyama, author […]
Four Reasons the World Bank Should Engage More with Civil Society
Viewpoint by Patricia Moreira Patricia Moreira is Managing Director of Transparency International, the global civil society organisation at the forefront of the fight against corruption. This viewpoint originally appeared on the World Bank blog. BERLIN (IDN) – In recent years, we have witnessed a significant shift in approach of both the World Bank and International […]
Holocaust Is Not Long Ago and Not Far Away
Viewpoint by António Guterres Following are extensive extracts from UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ speech on 7 November 2019 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York which was marking the 81st anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom carried out by the Nazi regime. Underlining his continued fight to stamp out antisemitism, racism and other forms […]
Japan Between Cosmopolitanism and Ritualised Tradition
Viewpoint by Siegfried Knittel The writer studied German literature and political science. He now works as a freelance journalist and, since 2011, lives in Japan. This article first appeared on the website of International Politics and Society on 5 November 2019. TOKYO (IDN-INPS) – In Japan, harmony lies at the heart of everything, from politics […]
Amexit Failed in 1776 – Brexit Will Fail Today
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN-INPS) – Before there was Brexit there was Amexit when the Americans in 1776 decided to revolt against Britain’s King George and unilaterally secede to establish their own independent republic. In retrospect it was a strangely negative thing to do and one that took a long time to put […]
Upholding International Humanitarian Law in Times of Armed Violence
Viewpoint by Rene Wadlow, President, Association of World Citizens GENEVA (IDN) – The entry of Turkish troops into what they call a “safe zone” on the frontier of Turkey and northeast Syria and especially the actions of Turkish-backed Syrian militias has raised in a dramatic way the issue of respect of international humanitarian law. Regular […]
UN Chief Lauds ‘Quantum Leap’ on Multiple Issues in ASEAN-UN Relations
Secretary-General António Guterres’ Press Encounter Following are extensive extracts from UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ press encounter on 3 November 2019 following the ASEAN-UN Summit. BANGKOK (IDN-INPS) – I am extremely happy with the UN ASEAN summit. Two years ago, I asked for a quantum leap in relations between ASEAN and the UN and we can, […]