Martin Shaw,  Subjects: Democracy and government International politics europe conflicts democracy & power globalisation From War to Peace The official annual commemoration of a century of genocide and its victims should be accompanied by a responsible awareness of Britain’s own historical record, says Martin Shaw. (This article was first published on 27 January 2009) The date of the liberation of the Nazi concentration-camp at Auschwitz, 27 January 1945, has since 2001 been marked in Britain as a moment for the remembrance of the victims of the Nazi holocaust – and, by gradual extension, of all those subjected to genocidal assault … Continue reading Britain and genocide

Deniz Kandiyoti,  Subjects: Conflict Democracy and government Equality International politics Pathways of Women’s Empowerment While the only official woman delegate in the Afghan mission to the London Conference pleaded that women’s rights must not be sacrificed on the altar of security concerns, women’s rights activists who had also travelled to London brought their own message At the conclusion of a gathering of nearly 70 countries and representatives of the international donor community in London on February 28, negotiations with the Taliban are firmly on the agenda, discussions revolving around the best way of achieving a peace settlement. Both President Karzai, … Continue reading Negotiating with the Taliban: the view from below

Andreas Bummel,  Subjects: Democracy and government International politics a democratic united nations? UN It isn’t less democracy that will allow for more effective global governance. More democracy is urgently needed About the author The author is Chairman of the Committee for a Democratic U.N., a think tank based in Berlin, Germany. He leads the Secretariat of the international Campaign for the Establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly The United Nations is the main hub for global multilateralism. With 192 member states, its membership is almost universal. Under its roof, major global issues are negotiated that concern the future of humanity. … Continue reading Why we need a UN Parliament

American Apologists for Fascism (By Nick Cohen) <!– –> A FEW days ago, Guernica magazine accused me of not citing sources when I criticised Noam Chomsky. I responded by posting a source-ridden chapter from my What’s Left (you can read the book here and the extract on Chomsky here) which detailed the shifty way in which Chomsky and all those who imitate him excuse crimes against humanity  they cannot blame on the West. The extract described at length Chomsky’s role in boosting deniers of the holocaust, Pol Pot’s genocide and the Serb massacres of the Bosnian Muslims.  I am a … Continue reading Noam Chomsky – Enemy of Muslims!

<!– –> I’ve got the latest statement here from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) celebrating their first anniversary, before which its local chapters in Saudi Arabia and Yemen operated entirely independently.It has already launched a number of high profile attacks, quickly earning itself a very dangerous reputation. The group’s statement is replicated below, interspersed with some commentary. A Statement Marking the One Year Anniversary of the Founding of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula In the name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful. All praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of … Continue reading Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: One Year On