The Andes
Colombia’s lower house approves peace plebiscite
Colombia's House of Representatives agreed to hold a plebiscite to approve a peace deal with the FARC—in spite of vociferous opposition by conservatives.
Europe
Refugee resistance on Balkan border
Riots broke out at Greece's frontier with Macedonia as migrants and asylum seekers stranded there for the past two weeks blockaded the border.
The Andes
Ecuador: lawmakers end presidential term limits
Amid protests from the opposition, Ecuador's National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment lifting presidential term limits, beginning in 2021.
North America
Another day, another massacre…
Was the San Bernardino attack politically motivated terrorism or just someone's personal revenge? Either way, pundits right and left are going to be squirming…
North Africa
Thousands detained without charge in Libya
Human Rights Watch says that thousands of people, including children, have been arbitrarily detained for years in Libya, facing torture and other ill-treatment.
Europe
Spain strikes down Catalan independence plan
The Constitutional Court of Spain declared unconstitutional a resolution by the Parliament of Catalonia that puts forth a plan for the region's independence by 2017.
The Andes
US to seek extradition of Colombian cocaleros?
The Transnational Drug Trafficking Act, now before the US Congress, could derail Colombia's peace process by bringing criminal charges against thousands of peasants.
The Andes
DEA busts nephews of Venezuela’s ‘First Combatant’
Two nephews of the wife of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro were arrested by DEA agents in Haiti and flown to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
North Africa
ISIS preparing ‘retreat zone’ in Libya?
A UN Security Council report warns that ISIS is preparing a "retreat zone" in Libya as coalition air-strikes threaten the group's territory in Iraq and Syria.
Iraq
Patrick Cockburn serves up more lies on Syria
Patrick Cockburn's "briefing" to the House of Commons opposing British air-strikes on ISIS was a shameful betrayal of the Syrian democratic resistance—denying its very existence.
Watching the Shadows
Gitmo detainee victim of mistaken identity: US
According to a US government document, a man detained in Afghanistan and held without charge at Guantánamo Bay for 13 years was a victim of mistaken identity.
Greater Middle East
Syria: civil wars in the civil war
A growing split between secular and Islamist elements of the FSA is unfortunately mirrored by a breach between Kurds and Ankara-backed Arab and Turkmen forces.