Former Bolivian president Evo Morales, back in his country from exile in Argentina after October’s elections returned his Movement to Socialism (MAS) to power, warned Dec. 27 of the ongoing danger of a new coup d’etat and asked his followers to debate how to… Read moreBolivia: Evo Morales warns of new coup
In Episode 59 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg takes stock of Trump’s evident preparation for a coup d’etat and what could be a culminating moment for the current crisis of American democracy. In the context of this dilemma, he discusses two… Read morePodcast: Rule of the Strongmen
Libya’s eastern warlord Gen. Khalifa Haftar, who launched an offensive last year to capture the capital Tripoli from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, threatened Dec. 24 to launch attacks on Turkish forces if… Read moreLibya: Turkish troop presence threat to ceasefire
Legendary transportation activist George Bliss will be presenting a slideshow and hosting a discussion of his 1991 trip to China at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) in New York City on Friday Dec. 9. What would NYC be like if we got rid of cars and everybody rode bikes? In 1991, Bliss and filmmaker Ted White visited Guangzhou, China (then pop. six million). Only one in a thousand owned cars. Bikes cost about $50. There was no theft because cheap attended bike-parking was everywhere. Riding en masse was fun, and traffic flowed safely and efficiently with almost no red lights. The term "critical mass"—first applied to this phenomenon by Bliss in White's film Return of the Scorcher—soon became a rallying cry in the global bike movement. While that China is long gone, its legacy points to the city we could yet have, even half a world away. (Photo: George Bliss)
More than 100 people, including children, are reported killed in an air-strike carried out by the Burmese military on a village in Sagaing region controlled by the democratic opposition. The raid on Pa Zi Gyi village, located within Kanbalu township, came as some 150 residents had gathered to attend the opening ceremony of a new Township People's Administration office loyal to the opposition National Unity Government (NUG). A local representative of the NUG's armed wing, the People Defense Force (PDF), said a fighter jet dropped two bombs on the crowd before a helicopter gunship swooped in and opened fire on the survivors. The attack came amid Thingyan, the traditional Burmese new year festival. (Photo via Myanmar Now)
The popular vlogger and comedian Katie Halper, whose journalistic take-downs of the Democratic Party establishment have certainly been deftly exploited (at least) by the Kremlin propaganda machine, wears the accusation that she is a “useful idiot” for Russia as a badge… Read moreKatie Halper: ‘Useful Idiot’ or Russian ‘infiltrator’?
Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that the armed group Islamic State in the Sahel Province (IS Sahel) is escalating attacks on civilians, reporting that since March the group has illegally executed 127 people in western Niger. HRW documented five armed attacks by the group in Tillabéri region during that time frame. The group killed 70 worshipers at a mosque in a mass execution in June. In May, IS Sahel attacked villages and burned at least a dozen homes, the report found. HRW stated that these attacks constituted war crimes. (Photo: Aharan Kotogo via Wikimedia Commons)
Lawmakers in Kyrgyzstan unveiled a new constitution on Nov. 17, drawing criticism over the expansion of presidential powers. Shortly after a draft of the document was released, politicians and activists expressed concerns that it would lead to full-blown authoritarianism. Among the… Read moreKyrgyzstan: ‘authoritarian’ new constitution unveiled
Nearly a year after the height of a devastating government offensive that forced a million people from their homes in Syria’s rebel-held northwest, doctors and aid workers are warning that the region’s civilians, especially young children, face a new threat:… Read moreHunger ’emergency’ in Syria’s Idlib
French and Russian military networks are backing rival forces to influence upcoming elections in Central African Republic according to a new report by The Sentry, a Washington-based NGO co-founded by Hollywood actor George Clooney. France used to call the shots… Read moreFranco-Russian game in Central African Republic?
Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen announced a plan to strengthen and restructure the nation's defense strategies, including extending the mandatory conscription period from four months to one year. Beginning in 2024, all males turning 19 will need to undergo a year-long period of military service—for the first time since 2008. In light of China's expansionist military activities in the South China Sea and the firing of ballistic missiles into waters off Taiwan this year, Tsai stressed the need for Taiwan to be well-prepared for war. "The decision is a difficult one, but as the head of the military and for the continued survival of Taiwan, this is an inevitable responsibility," Tsai said. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Progressives in the United States show little awareness of the disinformation specially targeting them. Denialism about Russian interference in the US elections, and the horrific realities of Russia’s client state in Syria, is now translating into denialism about how dangerous… Read moreTargeted disinformation neutralizes US left
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