Venezuela’s failure to develop an effective strategy to reduce its economy’s dependence on gas and oil threatens the social successes and future viability of the Bolivarian project.
Satyarthi’s Nobel is a cheer - and a warning for India
22 October 2014, byThe award of the Nobel Peace prize to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai has been widely welcomed in India. This is doubtless positive for the cause of children’s rights. But it’s also a comment on how the world looks at the social reality of an India that struts about as an "emerging power" but tolerates large-scale abuse and merciless exploitation of children. Satyarthi got the prize partly for the same reason why Slumdog Millionaire was a hit in the West.
The marvelous Malala – a real moment of joy for women
22 October 2014, byWell done, Malala! Every Pakistani is proud of you. Today you have made our head high. After Dr. Abdus Salam, Malala is second person who has shown other side of Pakistan and introduced terror-torn Pakistan’s soft face to the world and provided us a moment of real joy. For all women and specially women of Pakistan, it is a bright moment in dark times, when no respite in persistent repression against women.
The results of the Kobane war; so far…
21 October 2014, byThe battle of Kobane has been continuing for the past month. The attacks started on the 15th of September, and according to initial plans, firstly the surrounding the villages and then the town centre was to all by the 20th of September.
The terror of anti-terrorism
20 October 2014, byThe Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) were established after promulgation of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, to fast-track cases against terrorists. In addition to terrorism, a range of other crimes such as arms trafficking, kidnapping, gang rape, sectarian violence, extortion, and target killings are also covered in the ATA. The parallel judicial infrastructure of the ATC under this Act was created for speedy justice. However, the track record of ATCs shows complete failure in awarding punishment to terrorists.
Geopolitical chaos and its implications: introductory notes for collective thinking
19 October 2014, byThis contribution by Pierre Rousset was prepared for a meeting of the Fourth International Bureau in October 2014.
Who are the architects of death and how can we combat them?
18 October 2014, byAccording to the latest predictions of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if the Ebola pandemic continues to progress at the current rhythm, it could affect 1.4 million people in Liberia and Sierra Leone between now and January 2015, leading to the deaths of 700,000 in a year, and thus making Ebola the third leading cause of death from infectious diseases in Africa, after AIDS and respiratory diseases. The two countries most seriously affected could suffer the loss of 10 percent of their populations in a year, if one takes into account the impact of such a catastrophe on food production and the overall health of the populations involved. Our understanding of the causes then is urgent in order to avoid the worst and to prevent similar tragedies in other regions of the global South.
Ri-Maflow wants to exist!
16 October 2014This appeal in support of the self-managed factory Ri-Maflow in Milan, Italy has already received international support. Collective and individual support can be sent to : rimaflowvuolevivere@gmail.com. All donations to help the factory continue are almot most welcome.
Don’t Back Down
16 October 2014, by ,If Karen Lewis runs for Chicago mayor, she should do so as an unapologetic progressive. [Since this article was written, Karen Lewis has announced that she will not be running for Mayor of Chicago. She has been diagnosed with a very serious illness that prevents her run. The editors of IV sincerely wish her all the best in her battle for a speedy recovery.]
Zionist Left support for the bloody assaults on Gaza signifies its erasure from Israel’s political map
15 October 2014, byThe aim of this article is to pinpoint the explicit and implicit support of the Zionist Left intellectuals usually identified with Labor or Meretz for the brutal attacks on Gaza since 2006. This support is a new stage in the Left intellectuals’ loyalty to the state and its oppressive policies against the Palestinian people. The viciousness of mass murder and horrid devastation of Gaza, chiefly in the recent Operation Protective Edge, have reached unprecedented levels. Their support by the “most enlightened” public figures in Israeli society amounts to total disregard for basic human rights and international laws and erases any meaningful difference between them and the Right.