By Ramesh Thakur* This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. CANBERRA, Australia. 16 August 2023 (IDN) — Lord Ismay, NATO’s first secretary-general (SG), famously said the purpose of NATO was to “keep the Americans in, the Russians out, and the Germans down”. The end of the […]
Prize-Winning Documentary Spotlights the People’s President
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 15 August 2023 (IDN) — “I’m president already. I’m president of the ghetto!” exults the subject of “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” midway through the documentary. That’s not exactly how it worked out, but directors Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo’s account of Wine’s 2021 campaign for president […]
Cold War Hawk Takes Over US Response to Expanding Niger Crisis
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 14 August 2023 (IDN) — Less than a year ago, U.S. Ambassador Johnnie Carson was the object of fulsome praises on his appointment as special representative to the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit. “There is no better qualified person to serve in this important, new role,” declared Ambassador George […]
Rainbow Warrior Sails the Pacific to Gather Evidence for World Court
By Sera Sefeti SUVA, Fiji. 14 August 2023 (IDN) — International environmental campaign group Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior is currently sailing across the Pacific waters, calling at ports collecting evidence to present to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also called the World Court, during a historic hearing in The Hague next year. Rainbow Warrior staff […]
Govt. Supporters in Israel Are Dangerously Ignorant of Their History
By Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden. 8 August 2023 (IDN) — If those people of Israel who stand on the right alongside prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu want to go back to their memories of their war against the Arab nations after they had been attacked following the handover by the British in 1948; if they want […]
Rioting Breaks Out at Eritrean Festival in Stockholm
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | STOCKHOLM. 7 August 2023 (IDN) — Long-held grievances between anti- and pro-government Eritreans exploded in the streets of Stockholm this past week, amidst an annual festival of Eritrean culture that drew thousands. Eritreans who oppose Pres. Isaias Afwerki tore down tents and set cars on fire, […]
Military Intervention in Troubled Niger Faces Pushback
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 7 August 2023 (IDN) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, as the new head of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS), is facing pressure from some neighbors and his own government to reject a military solution to the troubles in Niger, where military men recently removed President […]
Anti-Slavery Campaigner Frederick Douglass’ Statue Unveiled
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK. 7 August 2023 (IDN) — A statue of anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass is now on display in Belfast city center—“amongst the people he loved.” Douglass gave around 50 speeches in his time in Ireland and could speak for up to two hours without notes. Professor Christine Kinealy, […]
Niger Coup Reflects Anti-French Sentiment in the Region
By Kola King* LAGOS, Nigeria. 6 August 2023 (IDN) — Barely two weeks after President Bola Tinubu made his inaugural speech as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa, ECOWAS during the Africa Union, AU meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya on 16 July, where he excoriated coup plotters and military adventurers who […]
Will the Modern-Day Silk Road Bring Prosperity to Laos?
By Pattama Vilailert VIENTIANE, Laos. 5 August 2023 (IDN) — When a China-built high-speed railway began operations in December 2021, Laos joined the modern-day silk road project that opened itself to trade and tourism opportunities across Asia. But many in the country doubt whether the land-locked nation would reap full benefits. “Since the Laos-China railway […]