June 2011

Any criticism of the privileges enjoyed by the oligarchy, of the venality of the ruling classes, of generous handouts to the banks, the joys of free trade or savage wage-cuts in the name of international competition, is now construed as “populism” and “playing into the hands of the extreme right”.
When New York’s courts refused to grant special treatment to the IMF’s managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, accused of raping a chambermaid in a Manhattan hotel, a commentator – joining the (...)

The assassination of Osama bin Laden in his compound in a city in Pakistan changed the placement of all the pieces on the board and focused attention on how Pakistan’s military will react. The great game goes on, and several players have a keen eye on the future of Afghanistan and Pakistan

India and China compete and contrast when in direct competition or conflict. But put them against the rest of the world, especially the West, and they make common cause

The prime minister of Bangladesh was voted in on her promise of justice for the crimes of its foundation 40 years ago. This has not quite happened as planned, and has been the excuse for suppression of all political opposition

Palestinian refugees demonstrated along Israel’s border in May, inspired by the Arab protests, in response to the Fatah-Hamas impasse

We can trace what’s happening – and may yet happen – in Syria by what the protesters chant at their demonstrations: the slogans are already a history, a politics, a manifesto and a new identity

The impromptu coalition of revolution protesting regularly all over Yemen wants the president to leave office. Beyond that, it doesn’t yet have a programme, although it does have an agenda

Sectarian clashes between Christians and Muslims are a major setback for the new popular movements across the Arab world. For Middle Eastern Christians are by no means outsiders in the countries in which they have long lived

New and informal alliances between unions, students, and local and issues-based groups have been protesting powerfully against the UK coalition government’s austerity programmes and national inequalities

The arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn on unignorable charges has clarified his powerful relationships with media advisers and the press

The French left don’t like Europe the way it is – they believe there has to be something better, yet another version of Europe, but can’t agree on what should be done to make it happen

Sudan produces half the world’s supply, and the best quality, of gum arabic, which is almost as crucial to modern life as oil; it’s in every bottle of Coca-Cola for a start. Even fierce sanctions against Sudan didn’t apply to gum arabic supplies

Cosmetic surgery and allied procedures were less hard hit by the great global crash than many other businesses. Women saw their faces and bodies as assets needing investment to help them in a tough market