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We need to be aware that neo-liberal globalisation is attacking the social order on three fronts. The economic front is the most important since it affects all humanity. It is presided over by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation: they form the real axis of evil (1). This loathsome triumvirate creates massive havoc and seeks to impose an economic agenda founded on the predominance of the private sector and the markets, and on profit. Consider the (...)
Translated by Luke Sandford
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OFFENSIVE NEW PENTAGON DEFENCE DOCTRINE
The United States military seems to be preparing for an attack on Iraq, its plans based on a new Washington defence doctrine and even newer hi-tech weaponry. The Pentagon is gathering its resources to declare pre-emptive war in the name of American national self-defence.
Translated by Barry Smerin
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DEPLETED URANIUM IN BUNKER BOMBS
The United States loudly and proudly boasted this month of its new bomb currently being used against al-Qaida hold-outs in Afghanistan; it sucks the air from underground installations, suffocating those within. The US has also admitted that it has used depleted uranium weaponry over the last decade against bunkers in Iraq, Kosovo, and now Afghanistan.
Translated by the author
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INSECURE, EXASPERATED AND BORED WITH THE OLD POLITICS
Last year’s election of Junichiro Koizumi as Japan’s prime minister was supposed to begin the end of the corrupt, conservative Liberal Democrat regime in power for nearly 50 years. It didn’t, and he has lost popularity. The economy is stagnating, and the nation is still locked into a subservient financial and diplomatic relationship with the United States. The only real change is tentatively coming from new, local grassroots organisations.
Translated by Luke Sandford
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Translated by Malcolm Greenwood
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THE PEACE MOVEMENT REVIVAL
As Israel and the Palestinian territories descend into chaos, there are new international humanitarian efforts in the West Bank and Gaza; and the Israeli peace movement has revived, with big demonstrations, a new joint action group and a growing refusal by Israeli soldiers to serve in Palestinian territories. A third of Israelis now back this refusal.
Translated by Wendy Kristianasen
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Translated by Wendy Kristianasen
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Translated by Wendy Kristianasen
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FMLN ACTS LOCAL, THINKS NATIONAL
A transport strike paralysed El Salvador last month after the rightwing government rejected a traffic plan that had been negotiated by San Salvador’s leftwing mayor. Former guerrilla fighters now rule the capital and the outcome of the 2004 presidential elections may depend on them.
Translated by Luke Sandford
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Translated by Luke Sandford
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BRUSSELS REPENTS ITS AFRICAN SINS
Two Rwandans were convicted in Belgium last year of playing a part in genocide, under a 1993 law giving Belgian courts universal jurisdiction. Perhaps this ethical policy means Belgium is admitting its dark colonial past.
Translated by Lorna Dale
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AMERICA NEVER CARED ABOUT AFGHAN WOMEN
Translated by Barbara Wilson
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THE HEROIN ROUTE FROM AFGHANISTAN TO EUROPE
Most heroin sold in Europe comes from Afghanistan’s poppies. Drugs cross the permeable border with Iran on their way to Turkey and Europe despite Iran’s desperate efforts, costing many lives, to combat trafficking at the border. Europe doesn’t help Iran with the cost of policing, and does even less to finance Afghan farmers to plant alternative crops.
Translated by Harry Forster
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Translated by Harry Forster
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Translated by Harry Forster
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END OF THE NEW WORKPLACE
Will the crash of Enron, following the dot.com debacle, end the abuse of the ’new economy’ employees in the United States, who surrendered their basic rights in the interests of company shareholders and even had to make voluntary ’contributions’ to their firms’ political friends?
Translated by the author
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TUNE IN, TUNE OUT
Turkey is in financial crisis and with a severe cultural identity problem. And what is everyone doing, rich, poor and poorer across the nation? Watching television game shows and the Istanbul version of Big Brother.
Translated by Malcolm Greenwood
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JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY DENIED
Translated by Julie Stoker