IDN-InDepthNews

By Jayantha Dhanapala* | IDN-InDepthNews Viewpoint

This article was originally published as Foreword to ‘Don’t Bank on the Bomb – A Global Report on the Financing of Nuclear Weapons Producers’, a joint publication of PAX and ICAN.

KANDY, Sri Lanka (IDN) – In a world of unconscionably high military expenditures which feed the conflicts that cause death, destruction and displacement of millions, we need to be constantly reminded of the wise words of President Dwight Eisenhower – a military man, who distinguished himself in World War II and then went on to be the U.S. President for two terms. Addressing his nation in a farewell address on January 17, 1961 Eisenhower – who I was privileged to meet as a student visitor to the US in 1957 – said:

”This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence – economic, political, even spiritual – is felt in every city, every Statehouse, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society.

By James Rodriguez | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis

RIO DE JANEIRO (IDN) – While praising Brazil for the remarkable social and economic progress achieved in the past two decades, two new reports have faulted this largest country in both South America and the Latin American region for losing its macroeconomic credibility.

By Martin Khor* | IDN-InDepthNews Analysis

GENEVA (IDN) – China gave a big boost to South-South cooperation when its President, Xi Jinping, made two unprecedented mega pledges totalling US$5.1 billion to assist other developing countries, during his visit to the United States in September.

Firstly, he announced that China would set up a China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund to provide RMB 20 billion or US$3.1 billion to help developing countries tackle climate change. This announcement was made at the White House at a media conference with U.S. President Barrack Obama.

By Jacques Trouvilliez* | IDN-InDepthNews Viewpoint

BONN (IDN) – One lesson that has been well and truly learned in nature conservation is that for policies to be really effective countries have to collaborate to address common problems.

Within the UN system it is also recognized that this applies to the different Programmes, Conventions and Agreements set up over the years. That each of these bodies has a distinct niche and a clear role does not justify a bunker mentality.  By synergizing, cooperating and collaborating they can find common cause with natural allies and seek compromises with those whose agendas do not necessarily match their own.