PWW International

Oil, independence, and gunboat diplomacy

Sat, 25 Jul 2008 14:24:45 EDT

In Buenos Aires earlier this month, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Thomas Shannon rejected theories that the U.S. Fourth Fleet, assigned to watch over South America, had been reactivated for offensive purposes. So that means defense, Brazilian Senator Pedro Sim�n observed, �but defending against whom?�

WORLD NOTES: July 26

Sat, 25 Jul 2008 13:55:14 EDT

Ecuador: Reckoning for past crimes
Senegal: Africans, choose your union!
Iran: U.S. tries diplomacy
Ukraine: NATO is not welcome
China: Wal-Mart store unionized
Cuba: Major land use reforms

Iraq leaders set deadline giving Republicans PR disaster

Wed, 22 Jul 2008 07:26:51 EDT

Republican John McCain's touting of superior foreign policy credentials over his Democratic opponent foundered Monday as Iraqi officials pointed to a 2010 deadline for troop withdrawal, an almost identical time table favored by Barack Obama. The Arizona Republican has been opposed to setting any deadline even as the Bush administration itself last week offered �time horizons� marking a 180 degree turn from previous positions.

Canada implicated in torture at Guantanamo

Tue, 21 Jul 2008 16:55:19 EDT

VANCOUVER, British Columbia � The Canadian government is once again being accused of breaking international human rights laws, including the Geneva Convention. Newly released documents and DVD footage reveal that the Canadian government knew, as far back as 2003, that American interrogators had tortured Canadian prisoner Omar Khadr at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Looking Global Warming in the Eye

Tue, 21 Jul 2008 14:44:39 EDT

When I first reported on global warming in the 1990s, events unfolded relatively slowly. Now they occur in such a blur that they barely have time to register on the media eye.

From 2001 archives: What's lurking behind the war in Afghanistan?

Tue, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EDT

This article was first published Nov. 17, 2001. As the war in Afghanistan garners more attention with calls for more troops, we rerun this here as a contribution to the discussion.

There is little wonder that the Bush administration – with its vast ties to ultra-right ideologues, oil, finance, military industries and intelligence agencies – seized upon an incredible human tragedy to push their own agenda.

WORLD NOTES: July 19

Fri, 17 Jul 2008 15:30:55 EDT

Peru: Workers, peasants mount general strike
Somalia: U.S. complicit in humanitarian disaster
Saudi Arabia: Domestic workers abused, exploited
Britain, Ireland: Unions protest Israeli crimes
Japan: Guests pressure G8 host
Panama: A measure of justice but more is needed
Panama: A measure of justice but more is needed

Palestinians hit by food and water crises

Wed, 15 Jul 2008 18:11:58 EDT

Three United Nations agencies have warned of a decline in Palestinian living standards, with a new report showing that high food prices and falling incomes are forcing families to manage with less and lower quality food.

Ireland�s �No� vote challenges pro-business pact

Wed, 15 Jul 2008 18:08:56 EDT

The people of Ireland voted resoundingly against the Lisbon Treaty in a popular referendum vote June 13. The vote was 53.4 percent �No.� Opponents of the pact said the vote demonstrated the strong will of the Irish working people to reject a treaty that serves only the interests of big business and the military.

Lula takes to the road for Brazil

Wed, 15 Jul 2008 16:56:56 EDT

Brazil, the world�s 10th largest economy, has adopted an increasingly assertive role in world politics as it promotes Latin American unity, justice for the poor world especially in regard to food supplies, and Brazil�s place in the global market economy. The recent travels of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil�s president since January 2003, make the point.