Iraq
Mass protests shake Baghdad regime
Tens of thousands took to the streets of Baghdad to protest economic conditions and corruption. The demonstrations are bringing together Sunnis, Shi'ites and leftists.
Tag: crisis of capitalism
Greater Middle East
Suez Canal expansion amid regional war
Egypt formally opened an expansion to the Suez Canal amid pomp, spectacle—and a massive troop presence. The new trade hub opens as a jihadist insurgency mounts in the Sinai.
Europe
Greece seeks ‘security axis’ with Cyprus, Israel
With his own country in turmoil, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias spoke in Jerusalem of developing an "axis of security" made up of Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
The Andes
Ecuador: general strike in Galápagos
The Galápagos Islands were shut down by a general strike called by residents to protest the repeal of a law subsidizing wages to meet high living costs in the remote territory.
Southern Cone
Labor split on Argentine transit strike
A transport strike to oppose a wage cap in Argentina brought Buenos Aires to a standstill, but pro-government labor unions called the walk-out politically motivated.
East Asia
Sichuan repression signals fear of social explosion
Deadly repression of a mass protest march over regional development issues in Linshui, Sichuan, comes as wildcat strikes are hitting China's mineral sector.
Europe
Mineral struggle in new Kosova violence
Street-fighting in Kosova's capital Pristina was portrayed as more Serb-Albanian "ethnic hatred," but it came as workers occuiped the Trepca mining complex to resist privatization.
Europe
Greece: populist bloc with xenophobes
Syriza needs anti-austerity partners for its economic program, but its alliance with the anti-immigrant Independent Greeks further mainstreams very dangerous politics.
Planet Watch
Behind oil slump: shale boom or geopolitics?
Experts tell us the North American shale oil boom is responsible for low prices despite Middle East unrest. But the price slump serves Western aims of weakening Russia and Iran.
Europe
Spain passes anti-protest, anti-immigrant law
Spain's conservative-led parliament passed a law that outlaws unauthorized protests, bans filming police, and allows summary deportations of African migrants.
Mexico
US elite starts to doubt ‘Mexican Moment’
Just a few months ago US editors and politicians were gushing over President Peña Nieto and his "reform" agenda. Now they seem to be having second thoughts.
Southern Cone
Argentina: UN group condemns vulture funds
Argentina has gained broad international support in its fight with two US hedge funds, but the US judge on the case isn't impressed: he declared the country in contempt.