Viewpoint by Jonathan Power* LUND, Sweden (IDN-INPS) – What do we have to truly fear about President Donald Trump? Early October he pulled off the successful re-negotiation of the North America Free Trade area. Pundits thought, with Canada refusing to bend, it couldn’t happen. Maybe the deal now leans more in America’s direction but Trump […]
On ‘Socialism with Chinese Characteristics’ – or Harmony and the Seeds of Conflict
Viewpoint by Michele Nobile* This is the fourth of a four-part series. Click here for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. ROME (IDN) – Since 2004-2005, the CCP has set itself the task of “building a harmonious society”. The internal harmony of China presupposes the discipline of farmers and the working class within the […]
Leaders of World and Traditional Religions Gather in Astana for Inclusive Dialogue
Viewpoint by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev The author, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and Head of the Secretariat of the Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions. This opinion article first appeared on The Astana Times on October 5, 2018, and is being reproduced courtesy the prestigious Kazakh […]
On ‘Socialism with Chinese Characteristics’ – or Ideological Mess and Reality
Viewpoint by Michele Nobile* This is the third of a four-part series. Click here for Part 1 and Part 2. ROME (IDN) – One of the collective ideological hallucinations of the 20h century was Mao Zedong Thought. A remarkable thought in terms of metaphors and similitudes but even more so in terms of incoherence: as […]
India Needs to Reify its Global Nuclear Disarmament Policy
Viewpoint by Pulkit Mohan India’s challenge in asserting its stance on global nuclear disarmament requires a precise articulation of its goals and plans, writes Pulkit Mohan, a Research Intern at India’s prestigious Observer Research Foundation. The article first appeared on 28 September 2018, and is being reproduced courtesy the Foundation. NEW DELHI (IDN-INPS) – For […]
What is Buddhist in a Buddhist Film Festival?
By Kalinga Seneviratne This article is the 25th in a series of joint productions of Lotus News Features and IDN-InDepthNews, flagship of the International Press Syndicate. SINGAPORE (IDN) – The just concluded 5th edition of ‘Thus I Have Seen Buddhist Film Festival (THISBFF)’ in Singapore attracted a large non-Buddhist audience according to its organisers, but still […]
New Angolan President Makes His Presence Felt As Dos Santos Empire Collapses
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – One reason why African presidents may cling to power, even re-writing the constitution to grant them extra terms, may be the case of Angola. Newly elected President João Lourenço is sending shivers across the continent as he relentlessly attempts to recoup billions of dollars subverted […]
Rwanda Outlaws Political Cartoons and an Opposition Leader Goes Free
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW York (IDN) – The Rwandese government of Paul Kagame has outlawed the drawing of cartoons that portray politicians/leaders in an unflattering manner. Anyone who draws such a cartoon risks imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rwf1 million ($1,145). If the cartoon targets […]
On ‘Socialism with Chinese Characteristics’ – or Mask of Capitalism
Viewpoint by Michele Nobile* This is the second of a four-part series. Click here for Part 1 ROME (IDN) – “Socialism with Chinese characteristics” is described by the regime in the following terms: “A historic transformation from a highly centralised planned economy to a dynamic socialist market economy has been achieved in China. A basic […]
Grim Shadow Over Cameroon President’s Re-Election Bid
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – As the clock ticked down to October 7 presidential elections in Cameroon, President Paul Biya remained tightlipped about a grisly video gone viral of two mothers and their infant children executed in cold blood by government soldiers. The grainy video shows two women – one […]