International Politics and Economy

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – One of the great tragedies of the early twenty-first century is that the great civilization of Islam, over 1400 years old and with tremendous achievements should have had its escutcheon besmirched with the terrorism of a small fringe of extremists such as Usama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda. It is the […]

Islamophobia

How social media – aided by bots – amplifies Islamophobia online

The Conversation

By Saif Shahin | – ( The Conversation ) – In August 2021, a Facebook ad campaign criticizing Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, the United States’ first Muslim congresswomen, came under intense scrutiny. Critics charged that the ads linked the congresswomen with terrorism, and some faith leaders condemned the campaign as “Islamophobic” – that is, […]

Afghanistan

What a truly Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan would Look Like

Waging Nonviolence

By Eli S. McCarthy | – ( Waging Nonviolence ) – As we reflect on what has transpired in Afghanistan with the Taliban returning to power, we have a vital opportunity for a more authentic, coherent humanitarian response. Toward this end, we must engage some critical analysis and questions. We might ask why the Afghanistan […]

Afghanistan

Afghanistan should be Last U.S. War of Empire, Corruption and Poverty

Medea Benjamin and Nicholas J.S. Davies

( Code Pink) – Americans have been shocked by videos of thousands of Afghans risking their lives to flee the Taliban’s return to power in their country – and then by an Islamic State suicide bombing and ensuing massacre by U.S. forces that together killed at least 170 people, including 13 U.S. troops. Even as […]

Arms Sales

Let’s Take the Profit Out of War

Sam Pizzigati

By Sam Pizzigati | – ( Otherwords.org) – After all, we grew up living it or hearing about it. The 20th century rates as the deadliest in human history — 75 million people died in World War II alone. Millions have died since, including a quarter-million during the 20-year U.S. war in Afghanistan. But for […]

Afghanistan

The Neocons Strike Back: Blair’s Carping at Biden’s Afghanistan Withdrawal is Spite that He Couldn’t Recolonize the Muslim World

Middle East Monitor

By Nasim Ahmed | – ( Middle East Monitor ) – The architects of the “war on terror” have hit back following the humiliating US withdrawal from Afghanistan. From the political leaders who sanctioned never-ending wars to the intellectual high priests in journalism, academia and think tanks who cooked it up, exponents of Western imperialism […]

Democracy

How can America Promote Democracy When the GOP Half of the Country Doesn’t Believe in it?

John Feffer

( Foreign Policy in Focus) – America desperately needs a dose of its own medicine of democracy promotion. By John Feffer | August 25, 2021 Arizona’s Maricopa County is ground zero in the continuing debate over election integrity in the United States. The so-called audit of the 2.1 million votes cast in that county in […]

Nonviolence

As the US empire declines, what openings exist for progressive movements?

Waging Nonviolence

By George Lakey | – Hard as it may be to see beyond the chaos and suffering in Afghanistan, the larger picture reveals real opportunities for social change. ( Waging Nonviolence ) – The fall of Kabul with, once again, the hurried and chaotic departure of surprised Americans, has led to an abundance of hand-wringing […]

Democratic Party

Top Ten Reasons Liberals have the High Moral Ground

James A. Haught

In tumultuous sociopolitical struggles, a frequent pattern is visible: Conservatives often fight to preserve their own wealth or privileges, but liberals battle for causes that don’t enrich or benefit themselves personally. This fact is clear in the long crusade to abolish slavery, and in never-ending attempts to aid the poor. Liberals are less driven by […]