Australia-US alliance: continuing dependence or strategic independence?
Pip Hinman | greenleft.org.au | 2021-01-07
A People's Inquiry to examine the United States-Australia alliance — its costs and consequences — and to canvas alternatives has been launched by the Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, writes Bevan Ramsden.
greenleft.org.au/content/australia-us-alliance-continuing-dependence-or-strategic-independence

"Americans Are Now Getting a Mild Taste of Their Own Medicine" of Disrupting Democracy Elsewhere
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-01-07
World leaders reacted in horror over the storming of the U.S. Capitol, with the U.N. secretary-general calling on political leaders to demand their followers refrain from violence. Leaders of the U.K., New Zealand, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, France, Germany, NATO and the European Council called for a peaceful transfer of power to Joe Biden. Investigative journalist Allan Nairn looks at what steps Trump may take next, and says despite protestations from President-elect Joe Biden and others that the insurrection was "not who we are," the U.S. has a long track record of disrupting democratic processes elsewher…
www.democracynow.org/2021/1/7/us_foreign_election_interference_allan_nairn

2021: Palestine's Chance of Fighting Back
Ramzy Baroud | dissidentvoice.org | 2021-01-07
2020 will go down in history as the year that terminated the American-sponsored 'peace process'. While 2021 will not reverse the monumental change in the US attitude and objectives in Palestine, Israel and the Middle East, the new year presents Palestinians with the opportunity to think outside the American box. The previous year began with …
dissidentvoice.org/2021/01/2021-palestines-chance-of-fighting-back/

The EU Avoids Treating Guaido As 'President' Of Venezuela
_____ | popularresistance.org | 2021-01-07
The European Union avoided referring to the opposition politician Juan Guaido as Venezuela's "acting president" once the mandate of the National Assembly over which he presided expired on Tuesday. | "Venezuela urgently needs a political solution to end the current impasse through an inclusive process of dialogue and negotiation leading to credible, inclusive, and democratic processes," said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. | He added that the EU will maintain its engagement with all Venezuelan political and social actors, including "Juan Guaido and…
popularresistance.org/the-eu-avoids-treating-guaido-as-president-of-venezuela/

Mexico Offers Asylum to Assange: a Step Forward for Government Accountability and Press Freedom
Frederick B. Mills, Alina Duarte — Patricio Zamorano | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-07
On Monday January 4 a British court denied a U.S. request to extradite world renowned journalist and Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, to face charges in the U.S. under the Espionage Act. Shortly after this breaking news, President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), urged the U.K. to consider the possibility of freeing Assange and…
counterpunch.org/2021/01/07/mexico-offers-asylum-to-assange-a-step-forward-for-government-accountability-and-press-freedom/

"It's Not as Bad as Iwo Jima, I Suppose": The Julian Assange Extradition Verdict
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-07
The barrister-brewed humour of Edward Fitzgerald QC, one of the solid and stout figures defending a certain Julian Assange of WikiLeaks at the Old Bailey in London, was understandable. Time had worn and wearied the parties, none more so than his client. Fitzgerald had asked for water, but then mused that its absence could hardly…
counterpunch.org/2021/01/07/its-not-as-bad-as-iwo-jima-i-suppose-the-julian-assange-extradition-verdict/

'Irresponsible and inhumane' Home Office continuing with deportations despite lockdown
Joe Glenton | thecanary.co | 2021-01-07
The Home Office plans to press forward with the deportation of up to 60 people despite a full national lockdown and a massive spike in coronavirus (Covid-19) cases in the UK. | The Independent newspaper reported on 6 January that two flights were set to leave in the next week despite current restrictions. One is bound for Romania, the other for Poland. | "Irresponsible and inhumane": | New lockdown rules say that people cannot leave their homes or travel abroad except wh…
thecanary.co/trending/2021/01/07/irresponsible-and-inhumane-home-office-continuing-with-deportations-despite-lockdown/

WHO warns of COVID-19 'tipping point' as cases rise across Europe
news.un.org | 2021-01-07
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a "tipping point" in the fight against COVID-19, amid surging cases in Europe and the fresh challenge of a mutating virus.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081592

Satire: Alien Invasion Dwarfs COVID-19 Hysteria
John C. A. Manley | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
Note to our readers. This is a satire focussing on the "mysterious monoliths" which according to NASA is "paving the way for a full scale Alien invasion." | *** | A recent CBC article, reported that another one of those mysterious monoliths …
globalresearch.ca/satire-alien-invasion-dwarfs-covid-19-hysteria/5733824

Defund the Pentagon: Refund the People
Frank Scott | dissidentvoice.org | 2021-01-07
When profit determines every outcome of social and economic life, the minority politics of lesser evil wins again, and again, and again. — Anonymous The pandemic has heightened public awareness of the injustice of a political economic system that profits private wealth at massive loss to the public good. All talk of change that simply …
dissidentvoice.org/2021/01/defund-the-pentagon-refund-the-people/

Chomsky and Pollin: A Global Green New Deal Is the Only Way to Avert Disaster
Staff | truthout.org | 2021-01-07
Global warming is the biggest challenge facing humanity today. Yet, climate change has yet to become our number one priority even though, as the World Meteorological Organization warned back in March 2020, " time is fast running out" on averting an acute environmental catastrophe. | In this context, a comprehensive Green New Deal is urgently needed…
truthout.org/articles/chomsky-and-pollin-a-global-green-new-deal-is-the-only-way-to-avert-disaster/

British Judge Keeps Assange in Prison, Despite Ruling Against Extradition
Kevin Gosztola | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
A British district judge denied bail for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after a hearing in which the prosecution argued he had helped NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden "flee justice" and would abscond if released from the Belmarsh high-security prison. | "As far | …
globalresearch.ca/british-judge-keeps-assange-prison-despite-ruling-against-extradition/5733811

New book: Indonesia was model for anti-communist massacres, U.S. complicity
W. T. Whitney Jr. | peoplesworld.org | 2021-01-07
U.S imperialism was on a roll in the mid-20th century as Cold War problems were emerging. These included U.S.-Soviet conflict, nuclear-war fears, the Korean and Vietnam wars, domestic anti-communism, and Indonesia. Having thrown off Dutch colonial rule, that country led by President Sukarno was in the vanguard of nations striving to steer clear of both …
peoplesworld.org/article/new-book-indonesia-was-model-for-anti-communist-massacres-u-s-complicity/

New book: Indonesia was model for anti-communist massacres, U.S. complicity
W. T. Whitney Jr. | peoplesworld.org | 2021-01-07
U.S imperialism was on a roll in the mid-20th century as Cold War problems were emerging. These included U.S.-Soviet conflict, nuclear-war fears, the Korean and Vietnam wars, domestic anti-communism, and Indonesia. Having thrown of Dutch colonial rule, that country led by President Sukarno was in the vanguard of nations striving to steer clear of both …
peoplesworld.org/article/new-book-indonesia-was-model-for-anti-communist-massacres-u-s-complicity/

Saudi Arabia: UN rights expert welcomes 'positive first step' toward détente in Gulf
news.un.org | 2021-01-07
Saudi Arabia's action in lifting sanctions against Qatar is a "positive first step" towards normalized relations in the Gulf region, a UN independent human rights expert said on Thursday, urging the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt to follow suit.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081612

On the 20th Anniversary of the "War on Terror," Is There Any End in Sight?
Staff | truthout.org | 2021-01-07
"This is a different kind of war, which we will wage aggressively and methodically to disrupt and destroy terrorist activity," President George W. Bush announced a little more than two weeks after the 9/11 attacks. "Some victories will be won outside of public view, in tragedies avoided and threats eliminated. Other victories will be clear to…
truthout.org/articles/on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-war-on-terror-is-there-any-end-in-sight/

On the 20th Anniversary of the War on Terror, Is There Any End in Sight?
Staff | truthout.org | 2021-01-07
"This is a different kind of war, which we will wage aggressively and methodically to disrupt and destroy terrorist activity," President George W. Bush announced a little more than two weeks after the 9/11 attacks. "Some victories will be won outside of public view, in tragedies avoided and threats eliminated. Other victories will be clear to…
truthout.org/articles/on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-war-on-terror-is-there-any-end-in-sight/

European Union will no longer recognize Juan Guaidó as president of Venezuela
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-07
The EU announced the position following the swearing-in of Venezuela's new National Assembly which was the body from which Guaidó rendered his claim to interim presidency…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/07/european-union-will-no-longer-recognize-juan-guaido-as-president-of-venezuela/

Will America's 20-Year 'War on Terror' Ever End?
Editor | scheerpost.com | 2021-01-07
The U.S. Army / CC BY 2.0] By Nick Turse / TomDispatch "This is a different kind of war, which we will wage aggressively and methodically to disrupt and destroy terrorist activity," President George W. Bush announced a little more than two weeks after the 9/11 attacks. "Some victories will be won outside of public view, in tragedies avoided and threats eliminated. Other victories will be clear to… | Source…
scheerpost.com/2021/01/07/will-americas-20-year-war-on-terror-ever-end/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=will-americas-20-year-war-on-terror-ever-end

"Too late to be pessimist! Ecosocialism or collapse"
Eds. | mronline.org | 2021-01-07
From the analysis of the struggle between the great powers for a lesser dependence on fossil fuels (which can shape their rivalries or push towards convergence between them), to the reminder of the need for every subject of oppression to develop its own ecological reflection. Daniel Tanuro gives us illuminating and pedagogical tools to confront …
mronline.org/2021/01/07/too-late-to-be-pessimist-ecosocialism-or-collapse/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=too-late-to-be-pessimist-ecosocialism-or-collapse

Riot in Washington DC: This is America!
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-07
Eugene Puryear talks about the lack of concern about the impact of fascist mobilization and possibilities of collusion between the rioters and law and order personnel. He also examines the narrative put forward by some sections that the violence does not represent the United States.
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/07/riot-in-washington-dc-this-is-america/

An Open Letter to the Oregon Bureau of Land Management on Hammond Ranches, Inc. Proposed Grazing Permit
Greta Anderson | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-07
Dear Oregon Bureau of Land Management staffers, I am writing today to ask you to please defend the proper administration of public lands. The recent decision to award Hammond Ranches, Inc. a livestock grazing permit and grazing preference to use four allotments in the Burns Field Office appears to have been politically influenced, and we…
counterpunch.org/2021/01/07/an-open-letter-to-the-oregon-bureau-of-land-management-on-hammond-ranches-inc-proposed-grazing-permit/

Georgia: Big voter turnout ousts wealthy Republican senators
Dianne Mathiowetz | workers.org | 2021-01-07
Atlanta Jan. 6 — Georgia voters made history on Jan. 5 by voting into the U.S. Senate Rev. Raphael Warnock, the first ever Black senator from Georgia. Warnock is senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the famed church of Rev. Martin Luther King's family, esteemed for its long . . . | Continue reading Georgia: Big voter turnout ousts wealthy Republican senators at Workers.org…
workers.org/2021/01/53637/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=georgia-big-voter-turnout-ousts-wealthy-republican-senators

The D.C. terrorist attacks: September 11th and January 6th
Laurent Ross | peoplesworld.org | 2021-01-07
On Sept. 11, 2001, I was a political appointee of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, running a $17 million scholarship program. My office was just blocks from the Capitol, and I had a great view of the dome from my 10th story window. A member of my leadership team, Ken Howard, came into my office to …
peoplesworld.org/article/the-d-c-terrorist-attacks-september-11th-and-january-6th/

Debating Maoism in Contemporary China: Reflections on Benjamin I. Schwartz, Chinese Communism and the Rise of Mao
Elizabeth Perry | asia-pacificresearch.com | 2021-01-07
asia-pacificresearch.com/debating-maoism-contemporary-china-reflections-benjamin-i-schwartz-chinese-communism-rise-mao/5629721

Middle East: Again on the Brink. Israel and "Intra-imperialist" Games
Dimitris Konstantakopoulos | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
"To understand the situation, figure out that now, in Washington, the main obstacle to war is a man called Mad Dog." | This answer was given to me three years ago by Ray McGovern, when I asked him about the situation …
globalresearch.ca/middle-east-again-brink-israel-intra-imperialist-games/5733771

Pro-Trump Insurrectionists Seize Capitol
Richard C. Gross | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-07
Extremist Republican congressional conservatives began debating the electoral votes that secured President-elect Joe Biden's victory as a Donald Trump-incited mob unleashed real "American carnage" by storming the Capitol building to protest his lost election. Hundreds of demonstrators swarmed past a ring of police and pushed into the Capitol, busting through doors and windows, ransacking offices.
counterpunch.org/2021/01/07/pro-trump-insurrectionists-seize-capitol/

Africa in Review 2020: Anti-Imperialist Perspectives Essential in Understanding the Way Forward
Abayomi Azikiwe | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-07
One of the most serious attacks on the anti-colonial and national liberation legacy in Africa was the attempts by the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco to liquidate the right to self-determination among the Saharawi people in the Northwest …
globalresearch.ca/africa-review-2020-anti-imperialist-perspectives-essential-understanding-way-forward/5733752

Security Culture and a New Day in Portland
Saskia Hostetler Lippy | zcomm.org | 2021-01-06
For there to be true peace we need an end to secrecy, to toxic security culture, to violence. Come out of the shadows and let's speak face to face, as humans do…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/security-culture-and-a-new-day-in-portland/

President and CEO of the NAACP Releases Statement on Disruption of Peaceful Transition of Power and Calls for Impeachment of President Trump
commondreams.org | 2021-01-06
______________________________…
commondreams.org/newswire/2021/01/06/president-and-ceo-naacp-releases-statement-disruption-peaceful-transition-power?cd-origin=rss

UN chief welcomes declaration on resolving the 'Gulf rift'
news.un.org | 2021-01-06
The United Nations Secretary-General has welcomed the al Ula declaration on "solidarity and stability", announced at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit on Tuesday, aimed at strengthening peace and prosperity in the region.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2021/01/1081452

Venezuela: New National Assembly Takes Office as Guaido Loses EU Recognition
Manuela Solé | venezuelanalysis.com | 2021-01-06
Washington doubled down on its support for the opposition leader.
venezuelanalysis.com/news/15089

The war on China
Eds. | mronline.org | 2021-01-06
The propaganda surrounding COVID-19 and China's response is only the latest escalation in a long term geopolitical strategy by U.S. imperialism to destroy it. Few people on the left or the socialist movement in the imperial core have been paying attention to the historic breakup of the U.S.-China relationship.
mronline.org/2021/01/06/the-war-on-china/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-war-on-china

Venezuela Elections: A key victory for anti-Imperialist Movement in Latin America
Alison Colette Bodine | mronline.org | 2021-01-06
The people of Venezuela have dealt another decisive blow against U.S. domination in Latin America. The successful continuity of two decades of Venezuelan Bolivarian revolutionary process has turned Venezuela into the backbone of the Latin American anti-imperialist and revolutionary movement.
mronline.org/2021/01/05/venezuela-elections-a-key-victory-for-anti-imperialist-movement-in-latin-america/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=venezuela-elections-a-key-victory-for-anti-imperialist-movement-in-latin-america

Environmental Capitalism and Climate Change Wars: Australia in 2000
Binoy Kampmark | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-06
The Australian was convinced. "Australia could have avoided two decades of climate change wars had the Howard government pushed ahead with its majority view of an emissions trading scheme (ETS), newly released documents reveal." Historian Chris Wallace is not as unequivocal in this assertion, but nonetheless observes in The Conversation that…
counterpunch.org/2021/01/06/environmental-capitalism-and-climate-change-wars-australia-in-2000/

Raphael Warnock ran for the Senate from Ebenezer Baptist Church
Juan Cole | zcomm.org | 2021-01-06
What that means to American History…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/raphael-warnock-ran-for-the-senate-from-ebenezer-baptist-church/

Welsh NHS chief warns Covid-19 patient numbers could double from first wave
The Canary | thecanary.co | 2021-01-06
The number of coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in Welsh hospitals could soon be double that seen during the first wave of the pandemic, the country's NHS chief executive has warned.Dr Andrew Goodall said Wales's health system was under "immense pressure", with critical care units operating at 140% of normal capacity. Two health boards are dedicating almost half their beds to patients with the virus.Almost 2,800 people are in Welsh hospitals with Covid-19-related illness. That's an increase of 4% in just a week, and the highest number on record following a surge in transmissions over the last fortnight.More dif…
thecanary.co/discovery/news-discovery/2021/01/06/welsh-nhs-chief-warns-covid-19-patient-numbers-could-double-from-first-wave/

UAW-FCA cover-up of outbreaks continues at Toledo Jeep complex
wsws.org | 2021-01-06
Production at the Jeep complex went forward full throttle over the holidays while the cover-up of COVID-19 cases and intimidation of workers at the plant continued.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/01/06/jeep-j06.html

Civil War, Medical Discrimination, Spy Satellites and Cyborgs! How 2021 Could Make Us Yearn for 2020
Helen Buyniski | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-06
People everywhere are eager to bid farewell to 2020, a year in which our lives were turned upside down by power-mad elites who seized the Covid-19 pandemic as a chance to go full police state. But be careful what you …
globalresearch.ca/civil-war-medical-discrimination-spy-satellites-and-cyborgs-how-2021-could-make-us-yearn-for-2020/5733725

We Are at War
Peter Koenig | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-06
We are at war. Yes. And I don't mean the West against the East, against Russia and China, nor the entire world against an invisible corona virus. | No. We, the common people, are at war against an ever more authoritarian …
globalresearch.ca/we-are-at-war-2/5733672

We Are at War
Peter Koenig | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-06
We, the common people, are at war against an ever more authoritarian and tyrannical elitist Globalist system, reigned by a small group of multi-billionaires, that planned already decades ago to take power over the people, to control them. That's why vaccination is needed to inject us with transgenic substances that may change our DNA…
globalresearch.ca/we-are-at-war-2/5733672

Yemen, a Quagmire for Saudi Coalition and Imperialists
Azza Rojbi | globalresearch.ca | 2021-01-06
"I was still awake. I was sitting in a chair because I was afraid of the planes flying overhead and making a very loud noise. Then they dropped a bomb near us and afterwards they hit our neighbourhood with three …
globalresearch.ca/yemen-a-quagmire-for-saudi-coalition-and-imperialists/5733697

Wealth Inequality Virus Spikes During the Last Days of 2020
Rick Baum | counterpunch.org | 2021-01-06
As of December 23, the combined wealth of the ten wealthiest was needed to reach the "magic" sum of one trillion dollars. As of December 31, the combined wealth of the nine wealthiest is now more than a trillion. This change was helped by Warren Buffet's loss for the year shrinking during the last eight days of the year from $4.62 billion to $1.62 billion, and Musk's wealth increasing another $15 billion.
counterpunch.org/2021/01/06/wealth-inequality-virus-spikes-during-the-last-days-of-2020/

Democrats set to secure historic win in Georgia's senate run-offs
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-06
While Democratic candidates leading by a significant margins over the Republican incumbents, the two seats will tilt the balance of power in the US Senate towards the Democrats…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/06/democrats-set-to-secure-historic-win-in-georgias-senate-run-offs/

Chavismo back in Venezuela's National Assembly, Guaidó further weakened
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-06
The 277 members of Venezuela's National Assembly were sworn in yesterday January 5. The body has vowed to take swift measures to address the deepening economic crisis in the country, fight back against the economic and financial blockade imposed on the country and work towards reconciliation. The swearing in of the legislators also officially put an end to Juan Guaidó's mandate as deputy, which prompted the European Union to withdraw their recognition of Guaidó as interim president.
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/06/chavismo-back-in-venezuelas-national-assembly-guaido-further-weakened/

21-year-old college student elected Mayor of Kerala Capital
Eds. | mronline.org | 2021-01-06
Ms Rajendran had won from the Mudavanmughal ward of the city corporation, bagging 2,872 votes, 549 more than the rival Congress candidate.
mronline.org/2021/01/06/21-year-old-college-student-elected-mayor-of-kerala-capital/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=21-year-old-college-student-elected-mayor-of-kerala-capital

"Medical Apartheid": Israeli Vaccine Drive Excludes Millions of Palestinians in Occupied Territories
Staff | democracynow.org | 2021-01-05
Israel has administered COVID-19 vaccines faster than any country in the world, with more than 14% of Israelis receiving vaccines so far. Despite the fast rollout, human rights groups are expressing alarm over Israel's decision not to vaccinate Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza, where about 1,500 people have died during the pandemic. Israel has defended its actions citing the Oslo Peace Accords, which put Palestinian authorities in charge of healthcare in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinian officials are facing a number of hurdles in launching their own vaccine campaign, including a shortage of mone…
www.democracynow.org/2021/1/5/israel_vaccines_palestinian_territories_mustafa_barghouti

Palestine to Organize a Peace Conference at the United Nations
telesurenglish.net | 2021-01-05
We are speeding up contacts and coordination before the UN Security Council's next meeting, due for January 26, confirmed the diplomat, who was quoted by AlQuds daily. | According to Mansour, the objective is to listen to suggestions and examine UN member states' stances on Abbas's proposal to convene this forum. | RELATED: | UN: Seven Resolutions Against Israeli Occupation Passed | Palestine's representative at the UN commented that the recent changes in the international arena co…
telesurenglish.net/news/Palestine-to-Organize-a-Peace-Conference-at-the-United-Nations-20210105-0020.html

2021 begins with more assassinations in Colombia
Peoples Dispatch | peoplesdispatch.org | 2021-01-05
The humanitarian tragedy in Colombia continues into 2021. In the first four days of this year, two social leaders, two former combatants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and a family member of an ex-combatant have been assassinated in the country. | The Common Alternative Revolutionary Forces (FARC) political party denounced the murder of former guerrilla fighter Duván Arled Galíndez Nadia on January 3. The party was created as part of the peace agreements signed by the insurgent group and the national government in…
peoplesdispatch.org/2021/01/05/2021-begins-with-more-assassinations-in-colombia/

Venezuela: National Assembly Prioritizes People's Consultation
telesurenglish.net | 2021-01-05
Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez assured Tuesday that the recently elected parliament would hold a permanent consultation process with the people to restore peace and well being to the country. | RELATED: | Jorge Rodriguez Sworn in as President of Venezuelan Parliament | Rodriguez urged parliamentarians to strengthen house-to-house sessions to tackle people's needs. The leader also remarked that the lawmakers democratically elected won't excuse themselves…
telesurenglish.net/news/Venezuela-National-Assembly-Prioritizes-Peoples-Consultation-20210105-0023.html