IV512 - September 2017

On Friday, August 4, the group MAIS announced its entry into PSOL. For months now, this news was expected, but it is not without its fundamental importance. It was unanimously welcomed in the PSOL.

A referendum on the independence of the Iraqi Kurdistan, an autonomous region of northern Iraq since 1991 and composed of three provinces, will take place on September 25, 2017.

The opportunity for this interview arose at a women’s seminar at the International Institute for Research and Education, Amsterdam. In a gap in the busy schedule of debates and working commissions dedicated to analysing the most recent cycle of feminist mobilizations, Laia Facet spoke to Nadia de Mond, a member of Communia in Milan and a feminist activist, to review the latest international initiatives of the movement, recent political events in Italy and the prospects for this new emerging feminism.

The Yaoundé Summit of Central African heads of state – Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Chad – was held during the second half of 2016, a fairly volatile period in the sub-region. Alongside the Central African Republic, where the violence which began in 2013 has sporadically re-emerged; Equatorial Guinea where, in order to develop his “Abayak holding” and his “shares in all the economic sector” the autocrat Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (in power since 1979 when he ousted his uncle, the previous president), had himself re-elected in April with 97% of the vote with his repressive apparatus dissuading any popular mobilisation; and the Republic of the Congo, where opposition to the regime has generated a confused and murderous military situation which began in Brazzaville and has since spread to the neighbouring department of Pool; the three other countries of the sub-region entered 2017 in an atmosphere of popular mobilisation.

“Black humanity and dignity requires Black political will and power. Despite constant exploitation and perpetual oppression, Black people have bravely and brilliantly been the driving force pushing the U.S. towards the ideals it articulates but has never achieved. In recent years, we have taken to the streets, launched massive campaigns, and impacted elections, but our elected leaders have failed to address the legitimate demands of our Movement. We can no longer wait.” —Opening paragraph, Platform of the Movement for Black Lives

While Donald Trump monopolizes media coverage with schoolyard bluster that he’s “locked and loaded” against North Korea, and Venezuela too; while not only Vladimir Putin but Kim Jong-un of all people has Trump’s administration tied up in knots; and while Congressional investigations and the “special counsel” circle the Trump bunker where whatever secrets of his campaign collusion and financial entanglements with Russian agents and criminals may be hiding — amidst all this, the more important war is raging at home.

We go onto the streets of Barcelona this Saturday, 26 August 2017 to express our rejection of the attack claimed by Daesh and to show our support for the victims and their families. We do so following the events of 17 August in Barcelona and Cambrils, with 15 dead and more than a hundred wounded.

The ouster of Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif is yet another example of the judiciary’s selectiveness and the military’s undue influence.

The war in Afghanistan is already the longest in US history. And now Trump is considering sending more troops.