International Politics and Economy

By Sonali Kolhatkar ( Otherwords) – A pair of new investigative reports about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas are a testament to the need for better guard rails against moneyed influence. The first bombshell story from ProPublica highlighted how a billionaire named Harlan Crow befriended Thomas after he became a Supreme Court justice and treated […]

military

The Toxic Legacy of U.S. Foreign Policy in Vieques, Puerto Rico

Foreign Policy in Focus

By Monisha Rios ( Foreign Policy in Focus) – Puerto Ricans had no say in the U.S. war of conquest with Spain over its colonial possessions or in the Treaty of Paris that dictated they were to become the property of a new empire. The United States acted according to a well-crafted strategic narrative […]

Islam

In centennial year, Turkish Voters will choose between Erdoğan’s Conservative path and the Founder’s Modernist Vision

The Conversation

By Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University | – Turkey has two historic events on the horizon. On May 14, 2023, voters will go to the polls for presidential and parliamentary elections, and in October, the country will celebrate the centennial of the Republic. In 1923, military leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk led the foundation […]

military

Sudan’s People are caught between the Anvil of the Army and the Hammer of the RSF Militia

Middle East Monitor

Amira Abo el-Fetouh ( Middle East Monitor ) – The fighting between the Sudanese army led by Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, Vice President of the Sovereignty Council, is no surprise. […]

China

Peace may finally be returning to Yemen, but can a fractured Nation be put back Together?

The Conversation

By Leena Adel, Curtin University and Ben Rich, Curtin University | – Last month, China brokered a rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a landmark deal that restored full diplomatic ties between the two bitter rivals. There was hope the detente could also bring an end to one of the world’s longest-running – and virtually […]

Canada

Recent Mosque attacks raise Questions about the Affinity between White Supremacy and Far-Right Hindu Nationalism

The Conversation

By Zeinab Farokhi, University of Toronto | – (The Conversation) – During Ramadan, a man attacked a mosque in Markham, Ont. He allegedly yelled slurs, tore up a Qu’ran, and attempted to run down worshippers in his vehicle. Some people on Twitter have raised the idea that the attacker was connected to Hindu extremist groups; […]

Houthi

Any New Yemen Truce must allow Participation of Citizens and Civil Society

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch – (Beirut) – Negotiations for a new truce in Yemen by Saudi and Houthi authorities present an opportunity to incorporate accountability and monitoring mechanisms that are essential for protecting Yemenis’ fundamental rights, Human Rights watch said today. Based on news reports, negotiations are apparently making progress. To effectively address Yeminis’ human rights, […]

military

Sudan created a paramilitary Force to destroy Government Threats – but it became a major Threat itself

The Conversation

By Tsega Etefa, Colgate University | – Sudan is in crisis. Fighting continues between Sudan’s military leader, Abdelfattah Al-Burhan, and his deputy on Sudan’s ruling council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, who commands the paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Moina Spooner, from The Conversation Africa, asked Sudan historian and conflict expert Tsega Etefa to […]

Corruption

Clarence Thomas is Corrupt to the Core, and We should have Listened to Anita Hill

H. Scott Prosterman

Oakland, Ca. (Feature; Special to Informed Comment) – Clarence and Ginni Thomas have been the “King and Queen of Conflict of Interest” since his controversial confirmation. The extent and brazenness of Thomas’ public graft is astonishing. His long-time benefactor and “sponsor” Harlan Crow is no garden variety Republican donor or “kingmaker,” but a Nazi-loving, autocrat-worshipping, […]