The Origins of the West’s Iran Crisis: Oil, Autocracy and Coup

David Painter and Gregory Brew, The Struggle for Iran: Oil, Autocracy, and the Cold War, 1951–1954 Reviewed by MARC MARTORELL JUNYENT Munich (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – The figure of Mohammad Mosaddeq, Prime Minister of Iran from 1951 to 1953, is an uncomfortable one for both sides of the US-Iran rivalry. For the US, Mosaddeq… Read More The Origins of the West’s Iran Crisis: Oil, Autocracy and Coup

Ralph Nader: The Mutually Reinforcing US and Israeli Empires

The U.S. government’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s annihilation of Gaza – torrents of heavy weaponry, diplomatic and political cover, and vast majorities in Congress swearing fealty to Netanyahu’s extremist regime – is usually attributed to AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), the powerful domestic pro-Israeli government lobby, organized in every Congressional District, with its abundant… Read More Ralph Nader: The Mutually Reinforcing US and Israeli Empires

Automated Murder – Israel’s ‘AI’ in Gaza

By Patrick Lawrence and Cara Marianna  ZURICH—“Technological change, while it helps humanity meet the challenges nature imposes upon us, leads to a paradigm shift: It leaves us less capable, not more, of using our intellectual capacities. It diminishes our minds in the long run. We strive to improve ourselves while risking a regression to the… Read More Automated Murder – Israel’s ‘AI’ in Gaza

Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism & Women In Sri Lanka

Rohini Hensman Introduction Myth and reality are intertwined in accounts of how Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka. According to the Mahavamsa, a 6th century CE epic, the Buddha himself visited Lanka on three occasions, but this myth has effectively been demolished by scholars[1]. There is more evidence for the story that in the third century BCE, when Ashoka ruled… Read More Sinhala Buddhist Nationalism & Women In Sri Lanka

The Chris Hedges Report: Hamas: How Israel Created Its Own Nemesis

By shutting the door to any peaceful resolution and leaving no other option for Palestinians, Israel created its own nemesis in Hamas. GAZA casualties live statistics Hamas, like all resistance groups, from the African National Congress to The Irish Republic Army, are as demonized as they are misunderstood. Hamas is a religious, nationalist political movement.… Read More The Chris Hedges Report: Hamas: How Israel Created Its Own Nemesis

The unique life philosophy of Abdi, born in Somalia, living in the Netherlands

When viewers are introduced to Abdiwahab Ali, the main character in the short documentary Neighbour Abdi, his charisma radiates from the screen as he showcases his creative metalwork and spins a series of lively potential titles for a film about his life. But viewers soon learn that his easygoing attitude is hard-earned as he recounts his… Read More The unique life philosophy of Abdi, born in Somalia, living in the Netherlands

Jogendranath Mandal hoped for Dalit-Muslim unity in Pakistan. He’s remembered as a ‘villain’

NB: Those of us who see the events of the late 1940’s in black and white terms ought to study the complexity of historical events as well as of the views of the actors in those events. Some may be surprised to read B. R. Ambedkar’s views on the transfer of population on a communal… Read More Jogendranath Mandal hoped for Dalit-Muslim unity in Pakistan. He’s remembered as a ‘villain’

Comrade Satyapal Dang: Lessons of Punjab have relevance for Kashmir

First posted June 02, 2017 NB: Comrade Satyapal Dang (1920-2013), a stalwart communist, was one of the tallest figures of modern India. At the height of the Khalistani movement he and his wife comrade Vimla stood fast in the CPI’s trade union office in Ekta Bhavan, Amritsar, despite the threats to their lives. They upheld secular values and… Read More Comrade Satyapal Dang: Lessons of Punjab have relevance for Kashmir

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls Israeli Gaza campaign an ‘unfolding genocide’ (see AV)

NB: A welcome speech, AOC, but its too late to save America’s reputation as either liberal or a democracy. The USA is a racist and imperial plutocracy, whose main export is war and weaponry. Save your souls and save your consciences as well as you can. It’s my impression the rest of the world will… Read More Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calls Israeli Gaza campaign an ‘unfolding genocide’ (see AV)

Ralph Nader: Open Letter to President Biden March 12, 2024

President Joe BidenThe White House1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20500 Re: United States aiding and abetting mass starvation and war crimes in Gaza Dear Mr. President: Willful avoidance does not exculpate your responsibility. There is no exception for the Palestinians in Gaza. Israel is bound by the Geneva Conventions to provide for the health and… Read More Ralph Nader: Open Letter to President Biden March 12, 2024