The Andes
Peru claims new blow against Sendero Luminoso, assails Bolivia
Peru announced the capture of a top Sendero commander—and called upon neighboring Bolivia to stop stigmatizing it as a source of "narco-terrorism."
Syria: massacres and hypocrisy
The anti-Assad insurgents of Liberated Kafranbel hold aloft their latest banner—calling the world to account for allowing the Syrian repression to continue. Bloodshed is escalating in the closing days of 2013, exploited or overlooked for propaganda reasons by all sides. Assad's partisans… Read moreSyria: massacres and hypocrisy
Greater Middle East
Syria: massacres and hypocrisy
Assad's partisans tout a supposed massacre by jihadists near Damascus, while igonoring the much larger and thoroughly verified one being carried out by the regime in Aleppo.
Palestine
Bedouin homes demolished in West Bank, Negev
On Christmas Eve, Israeli forces destroyed two "illegal" Bedouin villages in the West Bank, followed two days later by another such demolition in the Negev.
Greater Middle East
International hunger strike for Syria launched
US activists are fasting in solidarity with Syrian civil resistance figure Qusai Zakarya, who is on hunger strike to protest the siege of over 30 towns by the Assad regime.
Palestine
Prisoner Samir Issawi released from Israeli jails
Israeli authorities released Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi, who waged one of the longest hunger strikes in history, freeing him to return to his East Jerusalem home.
Iran
Persian Gulf militarized —by drug war
In addition to the naval face-off over a global oil outlet, the Persian Gulf has seen escalating militarization by international forces in the guise of narcotics enforcement.
Violence is not our culture
The network Violence Is Not Our Culture has protested across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe to demand that violence against women not be tolerated in the name of cultural relativism. A founder of the network is Algerian sociologist Marieme Helie Lucas…. Read moreViolence is not our culture
Palestine
UNRWA: ‘thousands’ at risk in Yarmouk siege
The UN Palestine refugee agency warns that thousands of refugees at Yarmouk camp in Damascus are at risk due to the ongoing siege of the camp by Syrian regime forces.
Aymara protesters face riot police
Bolivian Aymara protesters hold a public vigil and hunger strike outside the office of the National Council of Markas and Ayllus of Qullasuyu (CONAMAQ) in La Paz after it was sealed off by riot police Dec. 11. CONAMAQ followers later blocked… Read moreAymara protesters face riot police
The Andes
Bolivia: Aymara dissidents block highway
Followers of Bolivian Aymara organization CONAMAQ blocked the highway between La Paz and Oruro after being evicted from their office in La Paz by riot police.
The Andes
Report breaks down FARC military strategy
A leaked report from a Bogotá think-tank sees a shift from open warfare to attacks on oil infrastructure as the FARC rebels adjust to recent reversals.