Transnational news - 3 June 2008

Editor's pick: Articles of the week

	Yes, we can Susan George When 'progress' is defined by transnational corporations, people have to organise transnationally and with persistence to prevent corporate control and to define a different path towards human emancipation.

	Middle East still at war: the US is losing but the winners are unclear Phyllis Bennis In a period of rapid decline of American power around the world, the danger of choosing military force to assert US global reach becomes more, not less likely, and nowhere is that more clear than in the Middle East.

	Southern Africa: Whither Regional Integration? Aileen Kwa interviews Dot Keet As a result of free trade agreements with the European Union, regional integration in Southern Africa is in tatters. But what kind of integration would engender broad-based development? See also EPA threatens to tear apart oldest customs union, by Aileen Kwa

	Eradications and conflict in Colombia Amira Armenta As predictions rise of guerrilla group FARC's demise, a series of low-level conflicts due to criminalisation of coca farmers suggest that long-term chances of peace in Colombia will be limited.

Global outlook stories

Turkey's government plans sweeping water privatisation in run-up to World Water Forum in Istanbul
Olivier Hoedeman and Örsan Senalp
In March 2009 the Turkish government will host the fifth World Water Forum against a backdrop of what is probably the most sweeping water privatisation programme in the world.

Silent African leaders are accomplices in these crimes
William Gumede
Regional African leaders must step in to prevent even more people being openly maimed, forced out of their homes, and starved as Robert tries to win the dubious upcoming presidential election.

People's Summit 'Linking Alternatives III' Declaration
European Union international policies aimed at deepening competition, liberalising trade and boosting economic growth are incompatible with the discourse of climate change, poverty reduction and social cohesion.

Costa in Amsterdam
Recent controversial criticisms of Amsterdam's drugs policy from the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) - which were initially suppressed but are re-posted here - are based more on prejudice than evidence. The real issue for drug policymakers is whether there is a correlation between criminalisation and use.

Oil boom... and bust?
Oscar Reyes
Is the world running out of oil? Or are oil traders cashing in on temporary price hikes – creating a temporary bubble that will soon burst? Oscar Reyes looks at why the oil price is hitting record levels.

Discredited strategy
Patrick McCully
Increasing allegations of corruption and profiteering are raising serious questions about the UN-run carbon trading mechanism aimed at cutting pollution and rewarding clean technologies.

Fighting terrorism after Jaipur
Praful Bidwai
The Jaipur bomb blasts, which claimed 66 precious lives, does not justify following the US strategy for fighting terror but must be based on improving policing, revamping intelligence agencies, and respecting human rights.

How we got into the mess
Saul Landau
The institutionalised military-industrial-scientific-congressional complex is at the root of current state of Iraq.
See also The Iraqi war has become suicidal.

South Asia courts nuclear insecurity
Praful Bidwai
Instead of abandoning nuclear weapons, India is trying to have them legitimised through the US nuclear deal.

Russians take themselves too seriously
Boris Kagarlitsky
The latest hostilities between Moscow and Ukraine, about Russia's naval base in Sevastopol, are being exploited by Russian politicians for political advantage.
See also Worst case scenario

For whom the bell tolls
Praful Bidwai
The defeat in the Karnataka Assembly elections is a warning that the Congress Party must make significant reforms before the next general elections.

Climate justice groups warn of false solutions to climate change at the CBD
The Convention on Biological Diversity has increasingly allowed itself to be influenced by business interests in recent years, at the expense of ensuring a democratic equitable process.

Zionism and the Palestinians
Mike Marqusee
The lavish celebrations of Israel's 60th birthday are shamelessly disregarding the tragedy of the Palestinians and the rights of today's huge refugee population.

Obituary

Willem van Manen (1934 - 2008)
Human rights and freedom of speech advocate. Chairperson of Lawyers for Lawyers, a Dutch NGO engaged in human rights work. He was awarded a prize in 2003 by the Dutch Association of Jurists honouring him for his work. Willem was also a talented cartoonist. He advised TNI on legal matters for many years. He will be sorely missed as a noble, humble, peace-loving man.

En español

Selección del editor

	Cómo fabricar una crisis global Walden Bello El aumento mundial de los precios de los alimentos no sólo es consecuencia del uso de cultivos para producir biocombustibles, sino de las políticas de 'libre comercio' fomentadas por organismos financieros internacionales. Organizaciones campesinas encabezan ahora la lucha contra una agricultura industrial capitalista.

África Austral: Integración en terapia intensiva
Ailleen Kwa entrevista a Dot Keet
Como resultado de los acuerdos de asociación económica con la Unión Europea, la integración entre los países de África austral se encuentra en terapia intensiva. ¿Qué tipo de asociación puede fomentar un proceso de desarrollo de base amplia?
Véase también Unión aduanera en riesgo ante los EPA, por Aileen Kwa

Nueva publicación

	Agrocombustibles y derecho a la alimentación en América Latina Los posibles efectos de los agrocombustibles sobre el disfrute del derecho humano a la alimentación adecuada de los grupos sociales más oprimidos y marginados deben ser considerados antes de aplicar políticas y programas de fomento a la producción, inversión y comercio de agrocombustibles.

Perspectiva global

El Gobierno de Turquía prevé una drástica privatización del agua antes del Foro Mundial del Agua en Estambul.
Olivier Hoedeman y Örsan Senalp
En marzo de 2009, el Gobierno turco acogerá el V Foro Mundial del Agua en el contexto del que probablemente es el programa de privatización del agua más drástico del mundo.

Banco del Sur - Riesgo de volverse un proyecto tecnócrata
Marcos Arruda
Si el gobierno de Brasil logra detener la hegemonía del Banco del Sur, la región tendrá un banco tecnócrata al servicio de los dueños del gran capital, sin consideración de los costos sociales y ecológicos que los megaproyectos implicarán.
Véase también Marina Silva se demite: Lula perde sua Ministra mais respeitável

¿Qué tal la solidaridad cotidiana?
Marcos Arruda
La economía de la solidaridad es el camino para desmontar la ilusión de que la solidaridad es una excepción, guardada en el armario de nuestro pecho y reservada a los momentos de crisis y desastres.

Renovadas amenazas contra Cuba
Atilio A. Borón
George W. Bush convocó el pasado 21 de mayo en la Casa Blanca a un grupo de contrarrevolucionarios, mafiosos y oportunistas a una nueva iniciativa propagandística, y declaró esa fecha como el "Día de solidaridad con el pueblo cubano".

La ilusión y la realidad
Atilio A. Borón
Calificar de burgués al Gobierno argentino, que pese a sus encendidos discursos continúa amparando y realimentando el modelo neoliberal, constituye la estricta aplicación de un criterio científico de análisis social.

Organizaciones de la sociedad civil internacional protestan ante nueva agresión e intento de confiscación por parte de Telecom Italia contra Bolivia

Cómo nos metimos en este problema
Saul Landau
El complejo militar-industrial-congresional es la base de la catástrofe en Irak.