The militarization of everything

The militarization of everything

By William J. Astore November 14, 2019 The expanding cultural authority of the armed forces is a problem for U.S. democracy, writes William J. Astore. When Americans think of militarism, they may imagine jackbooted soldiers goose-stepping through the streets as flag-waving crowds exult; or, like our president, they may think of enormous parades featuring troops and missiles and […]

Declining protection of human rights – expectations of the future world?

Declining protection of human rights – expectations of the future world?

Richard Falk November 13, 2019 The Future of Human Rights: Regressive Trends and Restorative Prospects Points of Departure Reviewing the global situation, the then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zaed Raad Al Hussein of Jordan, opened a 2018 conference devoted to the 25th anniversary of the 1993 UN Conference on Human Rights and Development held […]

Nordic Security in the 1990s: Redefining the Problem – A Sceptical Contribution

Nordic Security in the 1990s:   Redefining the Problem – A Sceptical Contribution

By Jan Oberg November 7, 2019 2019 Introduction The text below is 27 years old, written from 1992. It was the last chapter in a book edited by Jan Oberg, Nordic Security In the 1990s. Options In The Changing Europe (Pinter Publishers & TFF, London/Lund, 1992, 325 pages). In other words, it was written shortly […]

Did the West win the Cold War?

Did the West win the Cold War?

Photo: Gerard Malie/AFP/Ritzau Scanpix By Richard Falk November 7, 2019 Posing the Question Such a question seems little more than a provocation until the effects of the interval between the fall of the Berlin Wall and the present are critically examined in relation to their principal effects. On closer inspection, I am not quite prepared, […]

Max Blumenthal arrest exposes the hypocrisy of Western media and ‘human rights’ NGOs

Max Blumenthal arrest exposes the hypocrisy of Western media and ‘human rights’ NGOs

By Joe Emersberger November 6, 2019 Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal, a prominent journalistic critic of US policy toward Venezuela,  was arrested by DC police on Friday, October 25, in connection with a protest at the Venezuelan embassy, and held incommunicado. But if you rely on corporate media, or even leading “press freedom” groups, you haven’t heard […]

Amexit (American exit) failed in 1776. Brexit will fail today

Amexit (American exit) failed in 1776. Brexit will fail today

By Jonathan Power November 6, 2019 Before there was Brexit there was Amexit – when the Americans in 1776 decided to revolt against Britain’s King George and unilaterally secede to establish their own independent republic. In retrospect it was a strangely negative thing to do and one that took a long time to put right. […]

Russia isn’t getting the recognition it deserves on Syria

Russia isn’t getting the recognition it deserves on Syria

By Scott Ritter November 4, 2019 At a time when the credibility of the United States as either an unbiased actor or reliable ally lies in tatters, Russia has emerged as the one major power whose loyalty to its allies is unquestioned, and whose ability to serve as an honest broker between seemingly intractable opponents […]

Gorbachev 30 years after the fall of the Wall

Gorbachev 30 years after the fall of the Wall

By Jan Oberg November 5, 2019 Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev – now 88 and not in good health – but deeply engaged in the world and the primary threat under which we live every day. Watch the short video below – his eyes, his leaning forward to listen, the determination of his face and voice, his […]

Getting out of Afghanistan

Getting out of Afghanistan

By Jonathan Power October 29, 2019 It’s the most repeated maxim in all the reportage on the war in Afghanistan: “The Americans have the watches, we, the Taliban, have the time.” “Play it again, Sam” was said in “Casablanca”. It should be played, said and listened to in Kabul and Washington today. This is America’s […]

Peace and conflict illiteracy: The Russian-Turkish deal about Syria

Peace and conflict illiteracy: The Russian-Turkish deal about Syria

October 29, 2019 Interviewed by RT International Among other things, I argue that the international so-called ‘community’ – there definitely is no such thing – is still regrettably simple, or primitive, when it comes to making peace. Here two leaders meet and discuss affairs pertaining fundamentally to what shall happen on the territory of a […]