Viewpoint by Andrew Walter* MELBOURNE (IDN) — The bushfires now ravaging Australia’s flora, fauna and rural communities on an unprecedented scale underline the country’s exceptional vulnerability to global heating and its strong interest in global climate change mitigation and adaptation. Decarbonisation should be taken as an economic opportunity and it could elevate Australia’s leading role […]
Towards a Constitutional Crisis: Scotland and Britain After the General Election
Viewpoint by Michael Keating* ABERDEEN (IDN) – Choppy waters lie ahead for both defending and defeating the union that is the United Kingdom, with Scotland and England having diverged sharply in their choices at the recent general election (December 2019). Campaigns in both countries focused on Brexit but in Scotland equal prominence was given to […]
2020 Priorities and the Work of the United Nations
Viewpoint by António Guterres The following are extensive excerpts from the UN Secretary-General’s remarks to the General Assembly on 22 January on his priorities in 2020. NEW YORK (IDN) – 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. I draw tremendous strength from all that we represent and all that we have achieved together. […]
Climate Change Means Lifestyle Change
Viewpoint by John Scales Avery * COPENHAGEN (IDN) – I would like to announce the publication of a book, which deals with the world’s failure to adequately address the existential danger of catastrophic climate change. The book consists mainly of book chapters and articles that I have previously published, although a considerable amount of new […]
The World as A Whole Is Getting Happier
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Can we be happier? All of us probably experience grave unhappiness at some point in our lives – a bereavement of someone close, a job loss, a bad illness, a vindictive boss, a drop in income or status, a loss of love for or from one’s partner, […]
Why Shutting Down Chinese ‘Wet Markets’ Could Be a Terrible Mistake
Viewpoint by Christos Lynteris and Lyle Fearnley* LONDON (IDN) – An epidemic of a new coronavirus, yet to receive a proper name by the WHO, has been developing in China and affecting other parts of the world over the past few weeks. So far, we know thousands have been infected, with nearly 200 deaths, with […]
Why China’s Strategy to Contain the Coronavirus Might Work
Viewpoint by Fei Chen* LIVERPOOL (IDN) – On January 23, the authorities of Wuhan City, China, sealed off the motorways and shut down all public transport to stop the corona virus outbreak from spreading. Shortly afterwards, at least ten other cities in China were under quarantine orders, most of them located in the areas surrounding […]
Trump the Transgressor: The Psychological Appeal of Leaders Who Break the Rules
Viewpoint by Barry Richards* LONDON (IDN) – Many of today’s politicians appear to appeal to the basic human need for safety, presenting their versions of strong leadership as the best hope for order and safety in a fearful world of growing instability and risk. Much evidence confirms that this appeal is certainly an important factor […]
World Court Gives Myanmar 4 Months to Put Its House in Order
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) – Let’s cut to the chase – there is no question, no doubt, that the government of Myanmar and the army which controls it have committed the most vile atrocities against the Rohingya people, a Muslim minority that lives in the West of the Buddhist-dominated country. The International […]
US-China Trade Deal – The Show Isn’t Over Yet
Viewpoint by Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. and Dr. Yiyong Liang* NEW DELHI | BEIJING (IDN) – Trade wars are fascinating where not only the outcomes but also the tactics and strategy matter. Sun Tzu said: “All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory […]