By Ramzy Baroud * This article was first published on the author’s website www.ramzybaroud.net on 22 April 2020. MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Washington (IDN) -– It was intended to be a Machiavellian move, but the decision by Benny Gantz, leader of Israel’s Kahol Lavan (Blue and White) coalition, to join a Benjamin Netanyahu-led government is likely to […]
Why the OPEC+ Deal Is a Many-Splendoured Thing
Viewpoint by M.K. Bhadrakumar The writer is a former Indian diplomat. This article was produced in partnership by Indian Punchline and Globetrotter, a project of the Independent Media Institute where it first appeared. NEW DELHI (IDN) – A perfect deal is where all protagonists get something out of it. All oil-producing countries stand to gain […]
Who Should Be in Charge: Doctors or Politicians?
Viewpoint by Jan Zielonka* This article was originally published on open Democracy. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of IDN-InDepth News. VENICE (IDN) – Our lives currently seem to be in the hands of doctors, and this concerns not only those who have caught […]
COVID-19: Strengthen WHO for Systemic Change of Health Systems
Viewpoint by Dr P. I. Gomes The writer is former-Secretary-General of the African, Caribbean & Pacific Group of States (now known as Organisation of Africa, Caribbean & Pacific States – OACPS) PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (IDN) – As the curve flattens in the trajectory of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in some countries, or […]
COVID-19: Should You Believe What ECA Is Saying About Africa?
Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene * ABUJA, Nigeria (IDN) – In one of his bestsellers, The Zahir, Paulo Coelho said there are two major problems in life: knowing when to begin and knowing when to stop. If, for example, Nigeria had closed its borders early on and enforced quarantine for all returning Nigerians, whoever they are, […]
UN Chief Highlights the Virtues of Multilateralism & Diplomacy
By Santo D. Banerjee NEW YORK (IDN) – “The COVID-19 pandemic is a tragic reminder of how deeply connected we are. The virus knows no borders and is a quintessential global challenge. Combatting it requires us to work together as one human family,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres on International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy […]
The Many Facets of Pandemic Vulnerability
Viewpoint by Alison Mountz* This article was originally published on openDemocracy. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of IDN-InDepth News. WATERLOO, Ontario (IDN) – We are living a sudden, seismic acceleration of bordering. This acceleration unfolds not only along national borders but within them: […]
CENTRAL ASIA: Turning COVID-19 Calamity into an Opportunity
By Hamid Ali Khan Eusafzai BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (IDN) – The University of Central Asia (UCA), along with many other universities across the globe, suffered the effects of COVID-19. Being forced to close the campus and send students back home, for the health and safety of both students and staff, it also opened a new opportunity […]
The Impact of COVID-19 Stalks Africa – Animated Video Tells Children About It
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – While Africa, like the international community, on the whole, is engaged in a tough fight against the coronavirus, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert has called into question frightening estimates of those affected by COVID-19. At the same time, Ghana in a surprise move has […]
COVID-19: Why We Should Be Sceptical of the Benevolence of Billionaires
Viewpoint by Gwilym David Blunt* LONDON (IDN) – The coronavirus pandemic has produced a surge in philanthropic giving from some of the world’s wealthiest people. Bill and Melinda Gates, longstanding champions of global health, have committed funds to research the disease and manufacture a vaccine when one becomes available. Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, has […]