Asia Pacific
Ruthless Philippine President’s High Popularity Is the Result of Failed Democracy
As the death toll in President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs keeps climbing, so does his popularity. How can this be? Walden Bello says it is the result of a failed liberal democracy in the Philippines
US Violates Nuclear Non-Proliferation Obligations, Undermining Credibility With Iran and N. Korea
Trump administration officials deploy a basic lack of understanding and contradictory policies towards Iran and North Korea, despite dealing with a similar problem: nuclear proliferation. We discuss the issue with Phyllis Bennis and Tim Shorrock
NRA’s Playbook Shows Why the US Does not Stop Mass Shootings
After the Chistchurch shooting, New Zealand moves to ban assault weapons, while the US is promoting plans to arm school teachers instead. Al-Jazeera exposes NRA’s “playbook” on media responses after mass shootings
Trump Missed his Opportunity for a Deal on North Korean Sanctions
The two sides may have been close to making an important agreement on denuclearization and lifting sanctions. It’s not clear what went wrong, but it seems that hardliners prevented an agreement, says Tom Collina of Ploughshares
Kim Jong Un’s New Year Address: Did the Corporate Media Miss the Point?
Simone Chun discusses the substance of Chairman Kim Jong Un’s speech, analyzing his vision for relations with North and South Korea as well as the United States
Wilkerson on the Real “Vice” - Cheney
Can Washington’s Hawks Sabotage Korea’s Peace?
North and South Korea have made important new steps in their ongoing peace process. But U.S. “discontent” over military de-escalation, along with Trump’s planned withdrawal from the INF treaty, show that Washington neocons are still pushing back. We speak to Tim Shorrock of the Nation
Inside Nikki Haley’s Shocking Speech to Secretive Far-Right Group
Just days before she resigned as UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley delivered a private speech to the Council for National Policy, a secretive group of influential right-wing figures. Journalist Max Blumenthal obtained exclusive access and reveals shocking details — including Haley’s admission that she threatened the Chinese ambassador with a US invasion of North Korea.
Two Koreas Advance Peace Without Trump’s ‘Approval’
North and South Korea are moving ahead with plans to build road and rail links as part of their historic peace talks. But the U.S. is standing in the way, as Trump refuses to lift sanctions and claims that the South Koreans “do nothing without our approval.” We speak to Col. Lawrence Wilkerson
Does Washington Want a Korean Peace, or Colony?
With U.S.-North Korea talks at an impasse, the Trump administration’s colonial attitude toward the Korean peninsula is threatening the prospects for peace, says Tim Shorrock