‘Education of hatred’: Killing of Japanese boy sparks soul searching in China over rising nationalism

A rare statement issued last week by dozens of Chinese people living in Japan condemned the assault and called for reflections on the “underlying causes.” “The extreme nationalist hate education against Japan has been prevalent in China for a long time. It has obscured some Chinese people’s understanding of Japan, and even indulged ignorance and evil,” the statement… Read More ‘Education of hatred’: Killing of Japanese boy sparks soul searching in China over rising nationalism

Aristides de Sousa Mendes: Portuguese diplomat saved thousands from Holocaust and was punished by his government (2020)

Eighty years ago, a middle-aged, mid-ranking diplomat sank into deep depression and watched his hair turn grey in days, as he saw the streets of Bordeaux filling with Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis… Among those who escaped occupied France thanks to his visas were Salvador Dalí, filmmaker King Vidor, members of the Rothschild family and… Read More Aristides de Sousa Mendes: Portuguese diplomat saved thousands from Holocaust and was punished by his government (2020)

In Bangladesh, the Government Agenda is Taking an Alarming New Direction

Bharat Bhushan The political dynamics are moving into uncharted territory in Bangladesh as the agenda of the leaders of the student movement becomes clearer. It seems to be shifting towards an accommodation of Islamic ideology within the structure of the state. In a strategically significant move, the political guru of the students’ movement, Mahfuz Alam, a 26-year-old… Read More In Bangladesh, the Government Agenda is Taking an Alarming New Direction

China-Xizang Himalayan Forum: The cynical ‘sinicisation’ of Tibet

The delegates invited, the agenda unveiled… indicate China’s efforts to convert Tibet (renamed recently as Xizang) into the fulcrum of sub-regional initiatives as well as to expand China’s influence… over a period of time, 7.5 million Han Chinese have come into Tibet, drastically altering the demographics of the region and making Tibetans a minority in… Read More China-Xizang Himalayan Forum: The cynical ‘sinicisation’ of Tibet

Neither Confirm nor Deny: How the Glomar Mission Shielded the CIA from Transparency

Neither Confirm nor Deny: How the Glomar Mission Shielded the CIA from Transparency by M. Todd Bennett; Reviewed by Chuck Steele Despite the centrality of the ocean research vessel Glomar Explorer to this fascinating story, this is not a book intended for an audience of environmental historians. It is, however, a first-rate account of the… Read More Neither Confirm nor Deny: How the Glomar Mission Shielded the CIA from Transparency

India is firing the engine of war while preaching peace

Reports suggest that the weapons pipeline from India to Israel has surreptitiously kept flowing to meet war-shortages, in effect aiding genocide in Gaza GAZA casualties, live statistics Bharat Bhushan Both in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars, India has projected itself as a potential peacemaker. Now, it turns out that India has been stoking the war in Gaza by supplying… Read More India is firing the engine of war while preaching peace