Daily Archives: March 11, 2020

2020-03-11: News Headlines

Jon Britton (2020-03-11). PSL Public Forum: A Women's Place is in the Struggle: Honoring IWD. indybay.org San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S Seventh Street, San Jose, CA 95112…

Mohammed Harun Arsalai, Mohsin Khan Momand (2020-03-11). Afghans Imagine a Future of Lasting Peace. thenation.com Mohammed Harun Arsalai, Mohsin Khan Momand Afghans Imagine a Future of Lasting Peace…

Fight Back (2020-03-11). FRSO labor delegation joins Venezuelan march defending the Bolivarian government. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela – Over 600,000 people took to the streets in Caracas, March 10, marching to support President Maduro and the Bolivarian government. The small opposition called for a march on the Presidential Palace Miraflores and held small rallies in the wealthy neighborhoods. However, huge masses of people in central Caracas marched through several working-class neighborhoods to counter the opposition's call. The gigantic march went as far as the eye could see. There were banners, trucks and music. People were chanting, singing and dancing. | "I saw thousands of working people celebrating their revoluti…

WSWS (2020-03-11). Brazil's Bolsonaro signs military pact with Trump. wsws.org The meeting of the two fascistic presidents in Florida was dedicated to escalating aggression against Venezuela, even as the US and Brazil remain divided on economic issues.

RT (2020-03-11). Moscow calls on Afghan political forces not to obstruct reconciliation process. rt.com Moscow has called on the opposing political forces of Afghanistan to focus on reaching national reconciliation, instead of taking steps that exacerbate disagreements, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. | Commenting on the two parallel presidential inauguration ceremonies that took place in Afghanistan, it urged all responsible political actors in the country "to adhere solely to common national interests." | The national reconciliation process "should lead to end of the civil war and to the rebuilding of a peaceful, united and independent state, free of terrorism and drug-related crime," the ministry s…

Fight Back (2020-03-11). Threats against Prof. Sison are threats against the resumption of the peace talks. fightbacknews.org Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel. | The reported threats against Prof. Jose Ma. 'Joma' Sison, who is the NDFP chief political consultant threaten any possible resumption of the peace talks. | That the Dutch police went to visit 'Joma' last week and warn him to take precautionary measures indicates that the Dutch authorities have become aware of and are taking seriously the threats against 'Joma'. They presumably know who are behind the threats. | Any threat against Professor Sison or any member of the NDFP…

RT (2020-03-10). Afghan president Ghani orders release of Taliban prisoners, important point of deal with US. rt.com President Ashraf Ghani has signed a decree pardoning Taliban fighters held in Afghan prisons. The move was part of the peace deal Washington made with the group, but official Kabul hesitated to act on it, demanding guarantees. | The Afghan president "has signed the decree that would facilitate the release of the Taliban prisoners in accordance with an accepted framework for the start of negotiation between the Taliban and the Afghan government," Ghani's spokesman Sediq Sediqqi tweeted on Tuesday, announcing the measure. | President Ghani has signed the decree that would facilitate the release of the Taliban pr…

news.un (2020-03-10). Afghanistan peace prospects 'slim' without women's participation: Hillary Clinton. news.un.org There can be no sustainable peace in Afghanistan if women are not at the negotiating table, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told ambassadors and activists at UN Headquarters on Tuesday.

teleSUR (2020-03-10). Chile Denounces Government Repression During Feminist Strike. telesurenglish.net The feminist general strike called in Chile on Monday as part of the celebrations of International Women's Day was repressed by the police of President Sebastian Piñera's government, according to the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH). | RELATED: | "Even though this was a peaceful day, which called to defend gender equality, the carabineros (Chilean police) attacked the demonstrators," the INDH president Sergio Micco to…

Fight Back (2020-03-10). FRSO labor delegation meets with Venezuelan trade union leaders. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela – On March 9, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization labor delegation met with Venezuelan transport sector union leaders. The delegation met to support the struggle of union workers against Trump's sanctions and economic blockade. President Francisco Torrealba of the Venezuelan Transport Workers Federation spoke, "We welcome you to Venezuela and hope to build ties between workers and unions of both countries." He proudly said, "President Maduro is a member of our union!" | Jesus Delgado, president of the airlines sector for the transport workers union, and also a worker at Conviasa airlin…

Fight Back (2020-03-10). FRSO delegation arrives in Caracas, meets with human rights organization. fightbacknews.org Caracas, Venezuela — The Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) labor delegation met with Sures, a human rights NGO, March 9, to learn about the impact of U.S. sanctions on the Venezuelan people. | While Trump has imposed the most sanctions, the punishing sanctions began under Bush, and were built on by President Obama who created a broader framework, defining Venezuela as a national security threat. | Cristobal Corrieles of Sures said, "The U.S. sanctions are immoral, illegal and unjust." | Corrieles explained that the sanctions are immoral for using humanitarian deliveries to exacerbate tensions and t…

teleSUR (2020-03-10). Venezuela: Pro-Gov't and Opposition Hold Rallies in Caracas. telesurenglish.net Venezuelan pro-government protesters and sectors of the opposition took Tuesday to the streets of the capital, Caracas, staging parallel rallies led by both sides' main leaders. | RELATED: | Leading the pro-government march, Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello gave a speech in which he rejected the anti-democratic stance of a certain sector of the opp…

teleSUR (2020-03-10). US, Colombia, Brazil Hold Alliance to Attack Venezuela. telesurenglish.net Venezuela's RELATED: | "The White House is developing a chain of command t…

teleSUR (2020-03-10). Bachelet Condemns US Coercive Actions Against Venezuelan People. telesurenglish.net The RELATED: | In the oral update on the human rights situation in Venezuela, which took place at the UN H…

teleSUR (2020-03-10). Uruguay Withdraws From Unasur and Returns to the US-Backed TIAR. telesurenglish.net Uruguay's Foreign Minister Ernesto Talvi Tuesday announced that his country withdraws from the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) and returns to the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR). | RELATED: | "The Government of Uruguay decided to withdraw from Unasur, which has already been abandoned by most countries in the region with the exception of Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. It…

news.un (2020-03-10). Security Council resolution endorses moves towards long-sought Afghanistan peace. news.un.org The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday afternoon welcoming recent steps towards ending the conflict in Afghanistan. All 15 members supported the resolution, tabled by the United States, which endorses a joint US-Afghan declaration on peace and an agreement signed between Washington and the Taliban.

Reuters (2020-03-10). Fire Destroys Most Voting Machines in Venezuela's Capital. globalresearch.ca Venezuela's elections council said on Sunday that a fire over the weekend destroyed most of the voting machines stored in its main warehouse in the capital, Caracas, potentially complicating parliamentary elections scheduled for this year. | Nearly 50,000 voting machines and …

Whitney Webb (2020-03-09). How the New US-Afghanistan Peace Deal Rekindled a "Business Friendly Taliban" mintpressnews.com America's relationship with the Taliban has always been determined by how useful they are at advancing US interests in the region and the Trump administration's recent efforts to make "peace" with the group are no exception.

Staff (2020-03-09). "It's a Real Mess": Afghan Rivals Both Claim Presidency as Ongoing Attacks Could Derail Peace Deal. democracynow.org Since last month's U.S.-Taliban peace plan, there have been nearly 80 attacks in Afghanistan. The violence could derail the deal that calls for U.S. troops to withdraw over the next 14 months. This comes as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and top political leader Abdullah Abdullah both claimed that they won the presidential election at dual inauguration ceremonies today in Kabul, and members of the Taliban and the Afghan government were set to start direct negotiations on Tuesday. We speak with Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock, who recently won the George Polk Award for Military Reporting for his in-depth in…

news.un (2020-03-08). No sustainable development or peace without women: UN deputy chief. news.un.org The world will not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if half the planet is left behind, the UN Deputy Secretary-General said in Papua New Guinea on Sunday: International Women's Day.

Eric Walberg (2020-03-07). Johnstone Brings her Moral Compass to our Dantesque World. dissidentvoice.org First, Diana Johnstone's memoir is a classic, and will be read and quoted as long as we keep struggling for peace and justice. It is one of the great personal accounts of the anguished decline of our uncivilization, both a riveting eye-witness account of many of the horrors and perfidies, and a primer for students …

Reza Marashi (2020-03-07). Nuclear Programs, Negotiations, and Naivety — Podcast Episode 12. iranian.com Episode Description: This week, Reza breaks down why advocates of abandoning the Iran nuclear deal now own the consequences, how America can help shape a peace deal in Afghanistan while still withdrawing its troops, and why Trump's effort to push China out of regional integration in Asia won't work. Siamak Naficy, Senior Lecturer at the Naval …

M. K. Bhadrakumar (2020-03-07). A "win-win" over Afghanistan and Syria. iranian.com Two peace agreements within a week are a bit too much. Hot on the heels of the US-Taliban peace agreement signed in Doha on February 9, Russia and Turkey have signed a peace agreement over the Syrian conflict in Moscow on March 6. On the face of it, the two are unconnected events but they …

pip.hinman (2020-03-06). Oil firm dumps plans to drill the Bight, but fight not over. greenleft.org.au

news.un (2020-03-05). Nuclear non-proliferation treaty an essential pillar for peace and security. news.un.org Countries meeting in New York next month to review progress on nuclear non-proliferation are being urged by the UN Secretary-General to use the opportunity to strengthen global peace and security.

Medea Benjamin (2020-03-02). Can the World's Second Superpower Rise From the Ashes of Twenty Years of War? zcomm.org If there is a lesson for peace-loving Americans in the Obama and Trump presidencies, it is that we cannot just walk out of the voting booth and leave it to a champion in the White House to end our wars and bring us peace. In the final analysis, it really is up to us…

Paul Kawika Martin (2020-02-13). Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — February 13, 2020 — In response to the Senate passing the bipartisan bill — S.J.Res.68 — that would thwart President Trump from going to war with Iran and end any current hostilities, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "It's about time …

Strategic Culture (2020-02-08). US Deploys 'Mini-Nukes' in Deplorable Threat to World Peace. theantimedia.com These so-called "mini-nukes" represent—despite the diminutive-sounding name—an increased risk of nuclear war.

Venezuela Analysis (2020-02-06). Embassy Protection Collective: "We Are Not the Ones Who Violated the Law" theantimedia.com In this exclusive interview, VA talks to the activists who defended the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC ahead of their trial.

CounterSpin (2020-01-31). Omar Baddar on Israel/Palestine 'Peace' Plan, Rainey Reitman on Greenwald Persecution. fair.org MP3 Link This week on CounterSpin: It is strange to think that you could create a plan to shape the relationship between two entities, in consultation with one but not the other, and then not just declare it, yourself, a "win-win," but also say to the unconsulted party, "You better take it, or else." Yet …

Jon Rainwater (2020-01-31). House Votes to Rein in Trump's Iran War Powers While Ending Endless Wars. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — January 30, 2020 — In response to two high-profile war powers votes on the House floor today, Peace Action released the following statement: "Our nation's endless wars are on autopilot, with Trump fitfully grabbing the steering wheel until his attention wanders somewhere else. Today's votes are a step toward Congress reclaiming its …

Jon Rainwater (2020-01-08). In the ongoing crisis, Congress must rein in Trump's war powers. peaceaction.org As we feared, President Trump's reckless assassination of Iran's Gen. Soleimani resulted in escalation — direct Iranian missile attacks on two military bases in Iraq. It's painful to watch more violence in a country that has already suffered far too much from endless war. All parties in the US/Iran conflict must cease military action and …

Joe Emersberger (2019-12-20). Notes on a private TV newscast in Bolivia. The contrast with Venezuela is clear as day. zcomm.org In August, I took detailed notes a news broadcast on one of Venezuela's largest TV networks. I summarized these notes in an interview I did with the Real News Network making the point that Venezuela's private media (which reaches 60-90% of households) is remarkably free — most especially when you consider the US is openly

Jon Rainwater (2019-11-07). Take Action — Some actual, SANE legislation. peaceaction.org Trump has plans to spend nearly $2 TRILLION over the next 30 years on unneeded and unnecessary nuclear weapons and delivery systems. This makes no sense. This is insane. That's nearly $100 million wasted every day for thirty years on weapons we are supposed to be getting rid of. To put that amount in perspective, …

Jon Rainwater (2019-09-25). Take Action to Avoid War with Iran. peaceaction.org photo credit Dear Groundswell Readers, We have to keep pushing Congress this week if we want to avoid war with Iran. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said recently that the U.K. might join a U.S.-led military effort in the Gulf. When other nations step up to join the "coalition of the willing" it's often a bad sign. …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-07-18). Diplomacy Instead of a Disaster in Iran. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — July 18, 2019 — In response to reports of the U.S. shooting down an Iranian drone, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because of the Trump administration's policy of maximum provocation towards Iran, America stands on the precipice of another blunderous …

Peace Action (2019-07-11). Peace Action Endorses 'the Squad' — Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pressley and Tlaib for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — July 11, 2019 — Peace Action, the nation's largest grassroots peace organization, has endorsed four progressive champions for the House of Representatives in the 2020 election, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for New York's 14th district, Rep. Ilhan Omar for Minnesota's 5th district, Rep. Ayanna Pressley for Massachusetts' 7th district, and Rep. Rashida Tlaib …

Paul Kawika Martin (2019-06-28). Most Senators Oppose War with Iran Without Congressional Approval. peaceaction.org Washington, D.C. — June 28, 2019 — In response to the Senate voting 50-40 in favor of an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to block funding for military action against Iran without congressional approval, Paul Kawika Martin, Senior Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Peace Action, released the following statement: "Because …

Peace Action (2019-06-25). Peace Action Endorses Ilhan Omar for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 25, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Ilhan Omar for Congress in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

Peace Action (2019-06-24). Peace Action Endorses Kara Eastman for Congress. peaceaction.org Washington, DC — June 24, 2019 — Peace Action has announced its endorsement of Kara Eastman for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Peace Action is a national grassroots organization working to advance nuclear disarmament, promote government spending priorities that support human needs, encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights, and support nonmilitary …

2020-03-11: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

PSL Public Forum: A Women's Place is in the Struggle: Honoring IWD
Jon Britton | indybay.org | 2020-03-11
San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S Seventh Street, San Jose, CA 95112…
indybay.org/newsitems/2020/03/09/18831402.php

Afghans Imagine a Future of Lasting Peace
Mohammed Harun Arsalai, Mohsin Khan Momand | thenation.com | 2020-03-11
Mohammed Harun Arsalai, Mohsin Khan Momand Afghans Imagine a Future of Lasting Peace…
thenation.com/article/world/taliban-peace-kabul/

FRSO labor delegation joins Venezuelan march defending the Bolivarian government
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-11
Caracas, Venezuela – Over 600,000 people took to the streets in Caracas, March 10, marching to support President Maduro and the Bolivarian government. The small opposition called for a march on the Presidential Palace Miraflores and held small rallies in the wealthy neighborhoods. However, huge masses of people in central Caracas marched through several working-class neighborhoods to counter the opposition's call. The gigantic march went as far as the eye could see. There were banners, trucks and music. People were chanting, singing and dancing. | "I saw thousands of working people celebrating their revoluti…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/3/10/frso-labor-delegation-joins-venezuelan-march-defending-bolivarian-government

Brazil's Bolsonaro signs military pact with Trump
wsws.org | 2020-03-11
The meeting of the two fascistic presidents in Florida was dedicated to escalating aggression against Venezuela, even as the US and Brazil remain divided on economic issues.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/11/bols-m11.html

Moscow calls on Afghan political forces not to obstruct reconciliation process
rt.com | 2020-03-11
Moscow has called on the opposing political forces of Afghanistan to focus on reaching national reconciliation, instead of taking steps that exacerbate disagreements, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. | Commenting on the two parallel presidential inauguration ceremonies that took place in Afghanistan, it urged all responsible political actors in the country "to adhere solely to common national interests." | The national reconciliation process "should lead to end of the civil war and to the rebuilding of a peaceful, united and independent state, free of terrorism and drug-related crime," the ministry s…
rt.com/newsline/482857-russia-afghan-reconciliation-ghani/

Threats against Prof. Sison are threats against the resumption of the peace talks
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-11
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following statement from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) Negotiating Panel. | The reported threats against Prof. Jose Ma. 'Joma' Sison, who is the NDFP chief political consultant threaten any possible resumption of the peace talks. | That the Dutch police went to visit 'Joma' last week and warn him to take precautionary measures indicates that the Dutch authorities have become aware of and are taking seriously the threats against 'Joma'. They presumably know who are behind the threats. | Any threat against Professor Sison or any member of the NDFP…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/3/10/threats-against-prof-sison-are-threats-against-resumption-peace-talks

Chile Denounces Government Repression During Feminist Strike
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-10
The feminist general strike called in Chile on Monday as part of the celebrations of International Women's Day was repressed by the police of President Sebastian Piñera's government, according to the National Institute of Human Rights (INDH). | RELATED: | Chile: General Strike on Second Day of Feminist Protests | "Even though this was a peaceful day, which called to defend gender equality, the carabineros (Chilean police) attacked the demonstrators," the INDH president Sergio Micco to…
telesurenglish.net/news/chile-denounce-government-repression-during-feminist-strike-20200310-0006.html

Afghan president Ghani orders release of Taliban prisoners, important point of deal with US
rt.com | 2020-03-10
President Ashraf Ghani has signed a decree pardoning Taliban fighters held in Afghan prisons. The move was part of the peace deal Washington made with the group, but official Kabul hesitated to act on it, demanding guarantees. | The Afghan president "has signed the decree that would facilitate the release of the Taliban prisoners in accordance with an accepted framework for the start of negotiation between the Taliban and the Afghan government," Ghani's spokesman Sediq Sediqqi tweeted on Tuesday, announcing the measure. | President Ghani has signed the decree that would facilitate the release of the Taliban pr…
rt.com/news/482783-afghanistan-ghani-release-prisoners/

Afghanistan peace prospects 'slim' without women's participation: Hillary Clinton
news.un.org | 2020-03-10
There can be no sustainable peace in Afghanistan if women are not at the negotiating table, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told ambassadors and activists at UN Headquarters on Tuesday.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1059091

Bachelet Condemns US Coercive Actions Against Venezuelan People
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-10
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet Tuesday reiterated her concern about the new unilateral coercive measures imposed by the United States against the Venezuelan people. | RELATED: | US, Colombia, Brazil Hold Alliance to Attack Venezuela | In the oral update on the human rights situation in Venezuela, which took place at the UN H…
telesurenglish.net/news/Bachelet-Condemns-US-Coercive-Actions-Against-Venezuelan-People-20200310-0010.html

FRSO labor delegation meets with Venezuelan trade union leaders
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-10
Caracas, Venezuela – On March 9, the Freedom Road Socialist Organization labor delegation met with Venezuelan transport sector union leaders. The delegation met to support the struggle of union workers against Trump's sanctions and economic blockade. President Francisco Torrealba of the Venezuelan Transport Workers Federation spoke, "We welcome you to Venezuela and hope to build ties between workers and unions of both countries." He proudly said, "President Maduro is a member of our union!" | Jesus Delgado, president of the airlines sector for the transport workers union, and also a worker at Conviasa airlin…
www.fightbacknews.org/2020/3/10/frso-labor-delegation-meets-venezuelan-trade-union-leaders

Venezuela: Pro-Gov't and Opposition Hold Rallies in Caracas
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-10
Venezuelan pro-government protesters and sectors of the opposition took Tuesday to the streets of the capital, Caracas, staging parallel rallies led by both sides' main leaders. | RELATED: | Venezuela's Multiparty Committee Tasked to Appoint New Electoral Officials In Session | Leading the pro-government march, Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello gave a speech in which he rejected the anti-democratic stance of a certain sector of the opp…
telesurenglish.net/news/Pro-Government-and-Opposition-Hold-Rallies-in-Caracas-20200310-0016.html

FRSO delegation arrives in Caracas, meets with human rights organization
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2020-03-10
Caracas, Venezuela

Brazil: Feminist Farmers Start 'Seeds of Resistance' Campaign
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-10
Brazil's Movement of Female Farmers (MMC) Monday started the "Seeds of Resistance" national campaign as a way to highlighting social fights for gender equity, respect for Indigenous cultures, and defense of local producers. | RELATED: | US, Colombia, Brazil Hold Alliance to Attack Venezuela | This campaign also pursues to make visible the experience and wisdom of the Brazilian small farmers, who are permanently under attack from large companies, which are backed up by the far-right Pres…
telesurenglish.net/news/brazilian-women-in-defense-of-native-seeds-20200310-0012.html

US, Colombia, Brazil Hold Alliance to Attack Venezuela
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-10
Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza denounced that the United States, Colombia, and Brazil have established an alliance to increase the aggression against the Bolivarian people through a naval blockade. | RELATED: | Venezuela's Multiparty Committee Tasked to Appoint New Electoral Officials In Session | "The White House is developing a chain of command t…
telesurenglish.net/news/US-Colombia-Brazil-Hold-Alliance-to-Attack-Venezuela-20200310-0007.html

Uruguay Withdraws From Unasur and Returns to the US-Backed TIAR
telesurenglish.net | 2020-03-10
Uruguay's Foreign Minister Ernesto Talvi Tuesday announced that his country withdraws from the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) and returns to the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR). | RELATED: | Uruguay: Lacalle's Investiture Ceremony Alined With US Biases | "The Government of Uruguay decided to withdraw from Unasur, which has already been abandoned by most countries in the region with the exception of Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. It…
telesurenglish.net/news/Uruguay-Withdraws-From-Unasur-and-Returns-to-the-US-Backed-TIAR-20200310-0009.html

Security Council resolution endorses moves towards long-sought Afghanistan peace
news.un.org | 2020-03-10
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday afternoon welcoming recent steps towards ending the conflict in Afghanistan. All 15 members supported the resolution, tabled by the United States, which endorses a joint US-Afghan declaration on peace and an agreement signed between Washington and the Taliban.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1059161

Fire Destroys Most Voting Machines in Venezuela's Capital
Reuters | globalresearch.ca | 2020-03-10
Venezuela's elections council said on Sunday that a fire over the weekend destroyed most of the voting machines stored in its main warehouse in the capital, Caracas, potentially complicating parliamentary elections scheduled for this year. | Nearly 50,000 voting machines and …
globalresearch.ca/fire-destroys-most-voting-machines-venezuela-capital/5705940

How the New US-Afghanistan Peace Deal Rekindled a "Business Friendly Taliban"
Whitney Webb | mintpressnews.com | 2020-03-09
America's relationship with the Taliban has always been determined by how useful they are at advancing US interests in the region and the Trump administration's recent efforts to make "peace" with the group are no exception.
mintpressnews.com/us-afghanistan-peace-deal-rekindled-business-friendly-taliban/265573/

"It's a Real Mess": Afghan Rivals Both Claim Presidency as Ongoing Attacks Could Derail Peace Deal
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-09
Since last month's U.S.-Taliban peace plan, there have been nearly 80 attacks in Afghanistan. The violence could derail the deal that calls for U.S. troops to withdraw over the next 14 months. This comes as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and top political leader Abdullah Abdullah both claimed that they won the presidential election at dual inauguration ceremonies today in Kabul, and members of the Taliban and the Afghan government were set to start direct negotiations on Tuesday. We speak with Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock, who recently won the George Polk Award for Military Reporting for his in-depth in…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/9/afghanistan_papers_craig_whitlock_washington_post

"It's a Real Mess": Afghan Rivals Both Claim Presidency as Ongoing Attacks Could Derail Peace Deal
Staff | democracynow.org | 2020-03-09
Since last month's U.S.-Taliban peace plan, there have been nearly 80 attacks in Afghanistan. The violence could derail the deal that calls for U.S. troops to withdraw over the next 14 months. This comes as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and top political leader Abdullah Abdullah both claimed that they won the presidential election at dual inauguration ceremonies today in Kabul, and members of the Taliban and the Afghan government were set to start direct negotiations on Tuesday. We speak with Washington Post reporter Craig Whitlock, who recently won the George Polk Award for Military Reporting for his in-depth in…
www.democracynow.org/2020/3/9/afghanistan_papers_craig_whitlock_washington_post

No sustainable development or peace without women: UN deputy chief
news.un.org | 2020-03-08
The world will not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if half the planet is left behind, the UN Deputy Secretary-General said in Papua New Guinea on Sunday: International Women's Day.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1058951

Johnstone Brings her Moral Compass to our Dantesque World
Eric Walberg | dissidentvoice.org | 2020-03-07
First, Diana Johnstone's memoir is a classic, and will be read and quoted as long as we keep struggling for peace and justice. It is one of the great personal accounts of the anguished decline of our uncivilization, both a riveting eye-witness account of many of the horrors and perfidies, and a primer for students …
dissidentvoice.org/2020/03/johnstone-brings-her-moral-compass-to-our-dantesque-world/

A "win-win" over Afghanistan and Syria
M. K. Bhadrakumar | iranian.com | 2020-03-07
Two peace agreements within a week are a bit too much. Hot on the heels of the US-Taliban peace agreement signed in Doha on February 9, Russia and Turkey have signed a peace agreement over the Syrian conflict in Moscow on March 6. On the face of it, the two are unconnected events but they …
iranian.com/2020/03/06/a-win-win-over-afghanistan-and-syria/

Nuclear non-proliferation treaty an essential pillar for peace and security
news.un.org | 2020-03-05
Countries meeting in New York next month to review progress on nuclear non-proliferation are being urged by the UN Secretary-General to use the opportunity to strengthen global peace and security.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2020/03/1058801

Can the World's Second Superpower Rise From the Ashes of Twenty Years of War?
Medea Benjamin | zcomm.org | 2020-03-02
If there is a lesson for peace-loving Americans in the Obama and Trump presidencies, it is that we cannot just walk out of the voting booth and leave it to a champion in the White House to end our wars and bring us peace. In the final analysis, it really is up to us…
zcomm.org/zmagazine/can-the-worlds-second-superpower-rise-from-the-ashes-of-twenty-years-of-war/

Peace Action: Senate Reclaims War Powers to Thwart Iran War
Paul Kawika Martin | peaceaction.org | 2020-02-13
Washington, D.C.