For the specialist of the Arab world Gilbert Achcar, the Tunisian revolt was "foreseeable". And it is a continuation of the uprisings of 2011.
State Racism meets neoliberalism
23 January 2018, byBurma — officially known as Myanmar — celebrated the seventieth anniversary of its independence at a moment when the failures of its incomplete nation-building project have become increasingly evident.
Emergency in Mindanao (Philippines): the humanitarian crisis is spreading - A progress report on the situation and the solidarity campaign
22 January 2018, bySouth of the Philippine Archipelago, the island of Mindanao is undergoing a state of critical humanitarian crisis with multiple causes: the combined consequences of typhoon Temblin/Vinta, the Marawi war and jihadist movements, the generalization of the conflict between the governmental army and the Communist Party of the Philippines, the systematic (often illegal) drain over the region’s resources by mining and forestry lobbies, the military operations by forces linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the martial law regime imposed since May 2017 and extended for the whole year 2018 ...
State and Labour During the AKP Rule in Turkey
20 January 2018, byThe AKP (Adalet ve Kalk?nma Partisi-Justice and Development Party) is celebrating 15 years in power in Turkey. The party came to power in November 2002, against the backdrop of the major 2001 crisis and amidst a legitimacy crisis of the then mainstream political parties stemming from the crisis-ridden 1990s. The AKP’s policies brought about significant transformations in the state, economy and the society.
The Austrian Anti-Social Coalition
19 January 2018, byThe new government of the ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party) and FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria) in Austria opens the way towards radicalised neo-liberal economic and social policies. As in some other EU countries, such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and Finland, a traditional liberal-conservative party has formed a coalition with or at least achieved the tolerance of a hard right-wing force with an aggressive anti-immigrant agenda in order to pursue or deepen its neo-liberal policies.
Hugo Blanco: The Future Is Indigenous
18 January 2018, byThe veteran guerilla fighter and activist on the native groups at the vanguard against climate change.
Nothing New in Trump’s Comments
17 January 2018, byTrump’s latest racist rant during a horse trading session with congressional leaders from both parties about the fate of the DACA program, has been widely denounced as an escalation of his racist discourse. Even before his latest comments, Trump demonstrated his contempt for the people of systematically underdeveloped countries by his response to Hurricanes Harvey and Maria’s devastation of the Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico, the world’s oldest colony. These recent comments are also a noxious combination of old and new forms of racist bigotry and immigration restrictions.
Pension reform, neoliberalism and street fighting
16 January 2018, byIn recent weeks, the Argentine political climate has seemed to experience convulsions like never before. A pension reform project proposed by the neoliberal government of Mauricio Macri has been approved with difficulty by parliament. This measure is part of a set of adjustment policies pushed since the government of Cambiemos [Macri’s right-wing political coalition] came to power. They include a sharp rise in taxes, rising inflation and reform proposals that directly attack the historic rights of workers. While this plan was supposed to be introduced progressively, the measures accelerated towards the end of 2017, so as to start the new year with a favourable budget balance.
Cyril Ramaphosa Is Not the Answer
15 January 2018, byFormer trade union leader turned billionaire Cyril Ramaphosa has been elected president of the African National Congress (ANC). In a historic electoral conference, he defeated his rival, Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma (NDZ) — medical doctor, former African Union president, and current president Jacob Zuma’s ex-wife and anointed successor. But, Ramaphosa’s victory is Pyrrhic. The top six top positions of the ANC’s most powerful body — the National Executive Committee — are split down the middle between Zuma and Ramaphosa’s factions, resulting in a stalemate dubbed “unity.”
Solidarity with the popular protests in Iran!
14 January 2018, bySince December 28, 2017, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been shaken by a wave of social protests unprecedented since the 2009 Green Movement. The protests first erupted in Mashhad, a holy city and Iran’s second largest city near the northeastern border. Protesters opposed the rise in prices of basic goods and increasing poverty, chanted “death to Rouhani”, “death to the dictator [Ayatollah Khamenei]” and called for an end to Iran’s military intervention in Syria and Lebanon. Protests quickly spread to more than 100 cities and villages throughout Iran, including the capital city of Tehran.