By Pepe Escobar Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to meet Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva this Thursday in Brasilia. As much as the Barack Obama administration has been moving mountains to undermine the Iranian nuclear fuel swap deal mediated by Brazil and Turkey, both leaders (and US allies) are far from dropping the ball. They may have mountain ranges to climb, but their point has resonated across much of the world; were it not for the mediation of two emerging powers and honest brokers, Iran would have never accepted what was in fact a slightly modified United … Continue reading Iran: Obama’s other oil spill

By Robert M Cutler MONTREAL – Events this week confirm that Turkmenistan has taken a decisive strategic decision to diversify its gas exports not only beyond Russia but also beyond China. First, and perhaps most spectacularly, Ashgabat has announced that it will rely upon its own financial resources and technology to renovate and rebuild the East-West Pipeline across the southern part of the country, opening the possibility that gas from the eastern provinces of Turkmenistan may eventually transit to Europe. That strengthens the prospects for the Nabucco pipeline project, which is planned to take gas from the Caspian Sea basin throughGeorgia and … Continue reading Tectonic shift under way in Turkmen gas

Vincenzo Oliveti Patrick Sookhdeo’s article (July 30, 2005) in London’s The Spectator, “The Myth of a Moderate Islam” reflects a dangerous trend in the war on terror. Under the guise of informing Westerners about Islam, he is in fact spreading the very same disinformation that anti-Islamic polemics have been based upon for over 1,000 years. This plays directly into the hands of Osama bin Laden, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and others, for it encourages the “clash of civilizations” they so appallingly desire. It is indeed of the utmost importance that we learn more about Islam and fight the scourge of extremism … Continue reading The Myth of “The Myth of Moderate Islam”

Losing Facebook Inside Pakistan’s decision to crack down on the Web. Arif Ali / AFP-Getty ImagesAt a demonstration in Lahore this week, protesters rallied against caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad on Facebook. Inside the Lahore courtroom, spectators burst into applause. Judge Ijaz Chaudhry had just ordered a ban on Facebook for “deliberately and recklessly” posting “very blasphemous content”—a proposal for an “Everybody Draw Muhammad Day” on the popular social networking site. It was an ironic—and probably difficult—decision for Chaudhry. Back in 2007, when he was among more than 60 judges ousted and arrested by Pakistan’s then-military-led government, he was returned … Continue reading Facebook was responsible for empowering these damn mullahs in the first place!

Republicans and the Tea Party of No by: Arun Gupta, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed (Image: Lance Page / t r u t h o u t; Adapted: Christian Haugen, webtreats) As much as they may grumble, there is a legitimate reason why the Republicans have been labeled the “Party of No.” For decades, the party’s kneejerk stance has been to oppose any legislation or policy involving social, economic or political progress. You name it, the right has opposed it: civil rights, school desegregation, women’s rights, labor organizing, the minimum wage, social security, LGBT rights, … Continue reading Republicans and the Tea Party of No hopers!

Nine Myths About Socialism in the US by: Bill Quigley, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed (Photo: Fibonacci Blue) Glenn Beck and other far right multi-millionaires are claiming that the US is hot on the path toward socialism. Part of their claim is that the US is much more generous and supportive of our working and poor people than other countries. People may wish it was so, but it is not. As Sen. Patrick Moynihan used to say “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. But everyone is not entitled to their own facts.” The fact … Continue reading Myths About Socialism in the US

by: Jim McCluskey, t r u t h o u t | Op-Ed (Photo: VA Comm / Flickr) War has been problematic since Roman times, especially after the rise of Christianity. “Thou shalt not kill” did not seem to leave much wiggle room. Yet, it was recognized that people have a right to defend themselves when under lethal attack. Saint Augustine suggested a solution in his theory of a Just War. This was developed by St. Thomas Aquinas in the Middle Ages and his tenets for a Just War have been more or less accepted every since by those who concern … Continue reading A Just War?

Reports of a Stalinist revival have been exaggerated Coverage suggesting Russia and Ukraine are nostalgic for Stalinism reveals the media’s reliance on tired surface imagery Colin Graham guardian.co.uk Media reports suggesting Russia and the Ukraine are nostalgic for Stalinism merely fall back on easy-to-reach conclusions. Photograph: Alexander Demianchuk/Reuters Stalin, or Stalinism, whichever you prefer, is back in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union, it would appear. During the past few weeks, the Russian and Ukrainian press haven’t been able to put the brutal dictator’s name down. Much of this commentary and reporting has been related to the … Continue reading Stalinist revival?

Theology – truly a naked emperor In the words of Robert A Heinlein, ‘Theology … is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn’t there’ Terry Sanderson guardian.co.uk The question: What is theology? In my work as president of the National Secular Society I sometimes receive manuscripts from people who have come up with what they imagine is the definitive refutation of Christian claims. “Publish this,” they say, “and Christianity will end within a year!” (See here for an example.) I find these turgid tomes no more convincing than the ones that they seek to … Continue reading Theology – a naked emperor?

The balance of freedom Religious freedom is becoming ever-more hotly-debated. Where should we draw the line between rights and responsibilities? Inayat Bunglawala guardian.co.uk I was invited by the public theology think tank, Theos, to take part in a panel discussion at the Commonwealth Club in London on Tuesday night entitled “How much religious liberty can a liberal society afford?”. The event was arranged on the back of the publication in March of a new Theos report “Free to believe? Religious freedom in a liberal society”, which argues that while religious freedoms are an “essential and fundamental” part of our democratic … Continue reading Religious freedom is becoming ever-more hotly-debated