Inner Asia
Anti-terror ‘security state’ in Xinjiang
The Uighur people of China's Xinjiang province are coming under unprecedented surveillance and militarization amid official fears of terrorism in the far-western region.
Tag: autonomy
The Andes
Colombia: courts uphold local power over mining
Colombia's Constitutional Court upheld the power of municipalities to block mining operations on their lands, clearing the way for local referenda throughout the country.
Iran
Iran: call for solidarity with Ahwazi eco-intifada
Overlooked by the world media, Ahwazi Arabs filled the streets of Iran's southern oil heartland to protest air and water pollution, and the lack of basic services.
The Caribbean
Puerto Rico governor approves statehood poll
Facing an intractable economic crisis, Puerto Rico’s Gov. Ricardo Rosselló approved a law calling for a non-binding referendum on statehood for the US territory. (Map: Perry-Castañeda Map Library)
Iraq
Can Assad (and Putin) reconquer all Syria?
Trump dramatically steps up US air-strikes along the Syrian border in Iraq, as Russia pitches the Kurds and Syrian rebels on a peace deal that will allow Assad to remain in power.
North Africa
Morocco joins AU; Sahrawi Republic betrayed?
As Morocco is readmitted to the African Union, it is pushing for the suspension of Morocco-occupied Western Sahara, placing the AU in a difficult position.
Syria
Russia ‘withdraws’ from Syria —not
Despite misleading media accounts, Moscow has only withdrawn its aircraft carier from Syria’s coast, and is in fact beefing up forces at its bases within the country.
Greater Middle East
Turkey: life term for Kurdish opposition leader?
Turkish prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Figen Yüksekdağ, co-chair of the Kurdish-led Peoples’ Democratic Party, on charges of “terrorism” for her alleged ties to PKK.
Mexico
Mexico: indigenous peoples form parallel government
Mexican indigenous leaders, meeting in Chiapas on the anniversary of the Zapatista rebellion, announced formation of a national Indigenous Government Council "to govern the country."
Syria
Great Power betrayal to re-unite Syrian revolution?
Now abandoned by all the Great Powers, Syria’s popular resistance is again emphasizing internal unity against the Assad dictatorship, bridging Arab and Kurdish forces.
Iran
Iran: Ahwazi militants blow up pipelines
Ahwazi Arab militants claimed responsibility for two pipeline blasts in Iran's Khuzestan province, amid growing unrest over the ecological impacts of oil exploitation.
Europe
‘Systematic persecution’ of Crimean Tatars
Crimean Tatars have faced systematic persecution by Russian authorities since the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Amnesty International charges.