Viewpoint by Daryl G. Kimball The writer is the Executive Director of the Arms Control Association (ACA). The following text was published in the organization’s monthly journal, Arms Control Today. WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — Even before his disastrous decision to invade Ukraine last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin had demonstrated a malign indifference toward basic […]
On the Ukraine Crisis and No First Use of Nuclear Weapons
By Daisaku Ikeda The following is the text of the statement by peacebuilder and Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda, who is president of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI). TOKYO (IDN) — The Ukraine crisis that erupted in February last year continues with no prospect for cessation. The intensified hostilities have inflicted great suffering in population centers […]
A Way for The Palestinians to Turn the Tables Non-Violently
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) — As a new hard-line government takes power in Israel and as Israeli tanks and other armour roam at will through Palestinian territory, it is apparent to all but the most blinded that the ability of the Palestinian people to regain the initiative has never been more circumscribed. […]
Prince Harry’s Controversial Revelation of 25 Killings in Afghanistan
Viewpoint by Binoy Kampmark* MELBOURNE (IDN) — What to make of it? History is filled with the deeds of blood-thirsty princes bold in ambition and feeble of mind. Massacres make the man, though there is often little to merit the person behind it. The Duke of Sussex seemingly wishes to add his name to that […]
Jews and Muslims Can Live Peacefully
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN) — The newly appointed prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, makes little pretence of his hatred of Muslim Palestinians. Neither does an overwhelming majority of those who elected him. Yet they never answer the conundrum, how can they expect to live indefinitely cheek-by-jowl with the Palestinians with animus […]
Sri Lanka: A Year of Turmoil and Suffering—And No End in Sight
By Neville de Silva* This article was issued by Asian Affairs (London). LONDON (IDN) — Not since the British left in 1948, handing over power to its former colony then known as Ceylon, has Sri Lanka suffered such economic calamity and political turmoil as in the year just ended. Struggling to survive under ever weightier […]
“In 2023, We Need Peace, Now More Than Ever”
By António Guterres, UN Secretary-General NEW YORK (IDN) — Every New Year is a moment of rebirth. We sweep out the ashes of the old year and prepare for a brighter day. In 2022, millions of people around the world literally swept out ashes. From Ukraine to Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo […]
The Ukraine War: Paving the Road to a World War with ‘Peace Plans’?
Viewpoint by Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J. S. Davies* NEW YORK (IDN) — On December 27, 2022, both Russia and Ukraine issued calls for ending the war in Ukraine, but only on non-negotiable terms that they each know the other side would reject. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Kuleba proposed a “peace summit” in February 2023 to […]
The Dismal State of Nuclear Disarmament
Viewpoint by Jacqueline Cabasso The writer is the Executive Director of the Western States Legal Foundation. OAKLAND, California (IDN) — The year 2022 has been a nightmare for nuclear disarmament. The year started out with a mildly reassuring Joint Statement by the five original nuclear-armed states, issued on January 3, 2022, declaring:
Western Hypocrisy Overshadows the Epic Qatar Match
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria. ABUJA (IDN) — The shenanigans were always there, but until FIFA president Infantino Giovanni called them out in his down-to-earth press conference in Qatar, they remained the elephant in the room. The hint of displeasure goes back 12 […]