RFE/RL Newsline reports July 1 that a leading Uzbek opposition figure, Muhammad Solih, is seeking to use a visit to Washington to urge the US and European Union to expand their support for “democracy activists” in Uzbekistan. “We do not… Read moreUzbekistan opposition leader does DC
Still only rumors at this point, but chilling ones, and a UN rapporteur considers them credible enough to warrant an investigation. Thanks to TruthOut for sending this one from AFP June 29: US Suspected of Keeping Secret Prisoners on Warships:… Read morePentagon maintains secret floating prisons?
From Ha’aretz June 30: Book: Rabin backed transfer of Arabs in ’56 By Amir Oren Assassinated prime minister Yitzhak Rabin proposed transferring the Palestinians from the West Bank while serving as a major general in the Israel Defense Forces in… Read moreRabin wanted to transfer Arabs in ’56
Russia has increased its support for the embattled government of Uzbekistan, announcing that it will soon conduct joint military exercises with the regime of President Islam Karimov. The announcement by Sergei Ivanov, Russia’s defense minister, was broadcast in Moscow after… Read moreUzbekistan tilts to Moscow
From the JTA June 30: French extremist Jean-Marie Le Pen met with a Russian ultranationalist during a visit to Moscow. Sergei Baburin is deputy speaker of the Rodina Party, some of whose legislators backed a letter earlier this year calling… Read moreLe Pen finds a friend
Well, the (supposedly) final design for the “Freedom Tower” that is to rise where the World Trade Center stood has been unveiled after a long, tortuous process. And the design, a brutalist product of politics and paranoia without even a… Read moreNYC: Fascist architecture for Ground Zero
After much speculation following their announcement of a “red alert” last week, on June 26 the Zapatista rebels in Mexico’s southern state of Chiapas issued a communique announcing that their “consulta,” or consultation with their base communities, was complete, and… Read moreZapatistas announce “new political initiative”
Move over, Yoni, there’s a new kid in town. Sgt. Avi Beiber made headlines June 28 when he became the first Israeli soldier to refuse to act against Jewish settlers living illegally in the Occupied Palestinian Territories — like himself…. Read moreSettler-soldier refuses to “expel Jews”
Days after a deadly eviction of peasants by paramilitaries, anti-privatization protests are shaking Paraguay. Neither have made any significant international media coverage. Cuba’s Prensa Latina reports June 27 that a national mobilization has coverged on Asuncion, the capital, demanding the… Read moreProtests in Paraguay
What is really surreal is that the horrors of Gitmo and Abu Ghraib are in the headlines every day, and yet they continue. Here are some excerpts from the harrowing “Arrested Development” by Arlie Hochschild, on abuse of children at… Read moreChildren tortured at Abu Ghraib
In the latest development from army-occupied Nuevo Laredo, 44 kidnapping victims freed June 26 when over 200 Mexican federal agents raided three safe houses. Shots were fired at one of the houses, but nobody was injured. A crowd of relatives… Read moreNuevo Laredo power struggle continues
I know we’re all supposed to hate Judith Miller, but she is absolutely on the right side in her current battle with the Justice Department. And the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear her case is a dangerous blow to… Read moreJail for Judith Miller?
