Photo by Daderot Introduction China is in the midst of its second ‘cultural revolution’ in a half century. While the first (under Chairman Mao Tse Tung) was intended to ‘revitalize socialism’, the current is directed to ‘moralizing’ capitalism. The first cultural revolution was a frontal attack on the hierarchy of
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The Disaffected Lib: The Tibetan Plateau – Asia’s Armageddon?
To Asia’s three nuclear powers, the Tibetan plateau represents life or death. China, India and Pakistan are all dependent on the headwaters of rivers that are fed by the glaciers in Tibet. The geo-political enormity of these rivers drove China to invade and occupy Tibet in 1950. What happens in
Continue readingCanadian Dimension | Articles: A dangerous lurch to the extreme Right: India’s new Prime Minister
This piece was originally published on Dissident Voice and was republished here with permission. The landslide election earlier this month of Narendra Modi does not bode well for the 800 million or so Indians living in destitution, or the 120 million minority Muslims in the country, or the Adivasi (indigenous)
Continue readingThe Wandering Joe: Crimea and Misdemeanours
Bad puns aside, the recent intrigue in Crimea has been responsible for more nonsensical political blustering than any single international incident in the past decade. It has been a curious exercise to sit back and watch everyone work themselves up and deliver half-baked analyses based on laughably outdated assumptions. Please
Continue readingThe Wandering Joe: Crimea and Misdemeanours
Bad puns aside, the recent intrigue in Crimea has been responsible for more nonsensical political blustering than any single international incident in the past decade. It has been a curious exercise to sit back and watch everyone work themselves up and deliver half-baked analyses based on laughably outdated assumptions. Please
Continue readingU.S. feeds Japanese militarism
China, with its paltry aid to the Philippines and its announcement of a new air-defense zone over the East China sea, has not been making friends in its region these days. But the country to worry about in the Far East is not China. It is Japan. Countries such as
Continue readingPolygonic: Old Entish Soldier
Along the base of Emeishan in Sichuan Province, a network of forest trails connect temples, pavilions, and spots of tranquil contemplation (despite the heaving crowds!). This solitary figure continues to stand tall – though the tree has died, it’s a home to lots of other new life.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Human Rights Watch To Thailand: Investigate Environmentalist’s Murder
Prajob exposed toxic waste dump; more than 30 activists killed since 2001 By: Human Rights Watch (Press Release)| Feb. 27, 2013: BANGKOK – Thai authorities should immediately investigate the murder of Prajob Nao-opas, a prominent environmentalist in Chachoengsao province, Human Rights Watch said today. The government’s measures to protect human rights defenders,
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The Jewel in the Crown – India
India has nothing but friends these days, that is if you leave out Pakistan. Russia’s her friend, has been for generations. China wants to be India’s BFF. And America is also courting India’s affections. US Def-SEc Panetta was in New Delhi, laden with roses and chocolates, to proclaim India the
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Why Tibet Will Never Be Free
This map says it all: The Tibetan plateau is key to controlling the headwaters of just about every major river in East and South Asia. China controls Tibet, it controls most of the water that it and its neighbours depend upon. As written on this blog for years, it was
Continue readingPolygonic: The emperor’s new clothes: North Korea keeps on marching
Sometimes, you just want to give them a hug. Pyongyang put on this earnest show of transparency around its rocket launch, inviting foreign journalists into the heart of their futuristic Space Control Centres (SCCs). Witness the marvels of our microcomputers and our, umm, extraordinarily large antennae! It was one part
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