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Weaponising Culture: Dividing To Rule
The hollow, self-righteous defence of “our culture” and “our values” has become an incendiary chant of the far right — particularly in Western, majority white Christian nations. Both are allegedly under attack — at risk of extinction no less — from, you guessed it, immigrants. Much of this furore has, unsurprisingly, been stoked by extremist
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The Root of All Evil?
It has been described as the root of all evil. It is that insipid form of cowardice, indifference, and selfishness that allows human suffering, exploitation, and oppression in all its forms to prevail. It feeds apathy and inaction in the face of war, social injustice, and environmental breakdown, and it enables the turning of a
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This Was Always Coming
For decades — or perhaps centuries — collapse has been underway: the fragmentation of social, economic, and political order; the hollowing-out of law at both domestic and international levels; and the unrelenting duplicity and hypocrisy of those in power pushing the boundaries. Today, chaos reigns: widespread violent extremism, state impunity, acute social divisions, and appalling
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What has Become of Britain?
Britain is in pieces—politically, economically, socially, and in terms of national identity. The country’s existential mess has deep roots, dating back to the Thatcher years (UK Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990). Under her catastrophic reign, market fundamentalism and privatisation took hold, society was dismantled, and the foundations of the welfare state were eroded. This
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A World Without Law: When Might is Right
We are living in an increasingly lawless, shadowy world—where international conventions and institutions are not just ignored, but actively undermined, as powerful states engage in acts amounting to state terrorism. From Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s genocide of Palestinians to the United States’ repeated use of pre-emptive force against sovereign nations, the post–World
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Is This What Collapse Looks Like?
What is happening to the world? It’s a question being asked with growing urgency around the globe. Wars rage on, systems and institutions are faltering; divisions of all kinds, including widening inequalities, are deepening—heightening the risk of conflict. The environmental emergency is accelerating, and uncertainty reigns, fuelling a global mental health epidemic. Is poor leadership
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The Plight of Amhara people is the Plight of Ethiopia: A Call for Unity
The Ethiopian government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is waging war against its own people—specifically, the Amhara. Amhara men, women, and children are being killed and arrested not for their actions, but for who they are. This is targeted ethnic violence. It is, therefore, genocide. The term “genocide” is inflammatory, but in the context
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Clear Choices in a Divided World
At least now, the choices are clearly defined—the alternatives revealed in ways that were once less obvious: what kind of world we want, what kind of country we aim to be, and what kind of people we aspire to become. It is up to us, then, to make our decision, upon which the future will
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A Strong UN for a World in Transition
In a display of staggering arrogance, even by its own standards, the U.S. administration recently sent a questionnaire to UN aid agencies, asking staff whether they held “anti-American” beliefs or affiliations—as if America were a religion rather than a nation-state—and whether they had any links to communism. The International Committee of the Red Cross also
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The Result of Inaction: Ignoring the People Led To This
Emboldened by the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President, far-right groups are rising around the world. These voices present a major threat, not just to the democracy they claim to revere, but also to social cohesion, minority groups, and the natural world. Intolerance and tribalism are their common currency—social poisons that foster division, fuel
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And Still Growth Is All They Talk About
Every year of the past 10 has been the hottest on record, with 2024 topping the heat chart. It’s not only air temperatures that are climbing; in 2024, the oceans of the world also reached a new daily high. 2024 was the first year on record where global average temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. “From January to September,
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The Violence of Wealth and Income Inequality
With each passing year wealth becomes concentrated in the hands of a smaller and smaller number of individuals and corporations. It is estimated that by 2030 the richest 1% in the world will possess two-thirds of all global wealth. And in a world dominated by money, with wealth comes political influence and power, the corruption of democracy
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Labour Government: The Politics of Service
After 14 years of Conservative incompetence, corruption and lies, the election of The Labour Party led by Kier Starmer, has ignited a feeling of hope and optimism in the country. In a historic election, on 4 July Labour won a landslide with 412 parliamentary seats (of 650 in total); the Tories, as if anyone cares,
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UK Riots: Racism And Islamophobia Meets Community Unity
The legacy left by the Conservatives after 14 years in government is not just economic stagnation, and the destruction of public services, it is social division, far right extremism and anger. Violence, racism and hate are the common language of far-right groups/individuals the world over, all of which has been writ large on the streets
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2024: People Starve As The Rich Get Richer
Earning enough to pay the rent or mortgage, cover utility bills and travel costs, buy food and have the occasional coffee is difficult, impossible for many. But its not hard for everyone, is it; there are a small number of people living among us who don’t have to worry about the bills, are not troubled
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Ethiopia Beyond Pretoria: Is Another War Imminent?
As Western governments and partisan media concentrate on the genocide in Gaza and war in Ukraine, the Amhara genocide in Ethiopia and the simmering conflicts in the Amhara region remain largely ignored. The Ethiopian government, led by Prime-Minister Abiy Ahmed is, directly or indirectly, behind virtually every act of ethnic violence in the country. Within
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Disintegration And Choice
With regular maintenance stuff lasts longer, but eventually, in spite of every effort, things breaks down: the washing machine stops drying, the car won’t start, the mobile phone refuses to connect to the internet. Socio-economic-political systems also collapse; shaped by an ideology of some kind, they are, like all ‘isms, limited, and divisive. Looking at
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Apartheid is Now Genocide
Israel’s criminal onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza has confirmed its status as a Rogue State; one of the world’s leading Terrorist States; and revealed theirlong held intention to exterminate Palestinians and bury the ‘Two State Solution‘ What was apartheid has become genocide; a campaign of hate. Palestinians, Arabs throughout the Middle East, and Muslims everywhere,
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Beyond The Madness A Revolution is Brewing
As world leaders and corporate big wigs refuse to act on climate breakdown and the wider environmental crisis, a quiet revolution in behaviour is taking place in western societies, particularly among young people (under 40 say). A growing movement of shifting values and attitudes which, as it gathers momentum could influence the broader economic matrix.
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We’re Still Breathing: Amhara Genocide in Ethiopia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qif9uRI7Y0c Ignored by western governments and largely overlooked by media a genocide is taking place in Ethiopia. The Amhara people, a large ethnic group, are being ethnically cleansed from the region of Oromia, the largest region in the country. Tens of thousands of Amhara have been killed by Oromo fanatics, over three million have been
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Israeli Barbarism With US Support
Its two months since Israel began its vicious assault on the people of Gaza. The relentless bombings, combined with a ground assault and siege – the strangulation of the civilian population, which has left people without food, water, medicine and fuel. It is modern day barbarism in the full light of day; genocide wrapped up
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“Gaza is Becoming A Graveyard for Children”
In stark contrast to the appalling response of western leaders, throughout the world tens of thousands have taken to the streets protesting Israels barbaric actions in Gaza. In the US, Europe, and UK, in Asia and the Middle East with one voice people have cried out, condemning Israel and the US, calling for an immediate
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Gaza: Its Not a War Its Genocide
It is carnage in Gaza.Over 5,700 Palestinian civilians are currently estimated to have been murdered by the relentless Israeli assault, 2,055 are children. More than 15,000 people have been injured, including 5,364 children. In the West Bank around 100 have been killed and at least 1,650 injured. The Israeli bombardment has so far destroyed or
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Ethiopia: Amhara Genocide and the Threat of Civil War
Since April the Ethiopian government, in the form of the ENDF (Ethiopian National Defense Force) have been engaged in violent clashes throughout the Amhara region in Ethiopia, with the volunteer force known as Fano. The ENDF have used drones, tanks and heavy artillery against Fano freedom fighters, resulting, inevitably in the death of hundreds of
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True Responsibility and the Need for Change
With every passing day the fissures in the world appear to deepen, the inadequacy of existing systems and institutions becomes more apparent; the cries for change intensify. Market Fundamentalism dominates virtually all areas of contemporary life; – a poisonous Ideology of Greed and Division that is fuelling a range of crises, all of which feed
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Ethiopia: Crushing Freedom Creating Fear
When in 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in Ethiopia, a wave of hope and optimism enveloped the nation. After 27 years living under the brutal TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front) dominated EPRDF coalition, the people breathed a collective sigh of relief. Many Ethiopians living overseas, eager to contribute, returned to their beloved homeland;
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The Crowning Fiasco: Even The King Looked Embarrassed
So, it’s official, Britain and her former colonial enslavements have a new monarch, King Charles III, the old one, Queen Elizabeth II having died 8 September 2022. He was enthroned on 6 May at a pompous archaic event in London. A pantomime, which cost the public purse an estimated (by Republic) £250 million – partly funded
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The Impossibility of Peace In A Divided world
Everyone wants peace don’t they, don’t we, and yet our world is beset with violence and conflict. The latest expression of hate and intolerance is once again in the Palestinian territory of Gaza. Enraged (and somewhat embarrassed) by the barbaric attack on 7 October by Hamas (or the Islamic Resistance Movement), the far right Israeli
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Ethiopia: Amhara People, Betrayed Persecuted and Ignored
Throughout the world the ideology of division and intolerance has permeated mainstream politics and poisoned societies; tribal nationalism, hate and prejudice are widespread, animosity and suspicion toward ‘the other’ commonplace. In Ethiopia this vile, fear based trinity appears to have become government policy.
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Ethiopia: The Agony of Tribal Nationalism
In whatever form it manifests, whether it’s distaste for foreigners, refugees and asylum seekers, a nationalistic economic policy or flag waving patriotism, tribal nationalism is a cancer upon the world. Violent, ugly, and often deadly, it creates and strengthens divisions, often resulting in war, one after another after another throughout history. Ethiopia is a land
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Ethnic Terrorism Continues to Stalk Ethiopia
Where there is division there will be conflict. In a country such as Ethiopia with dozens of ethnic/tribal groups, the need for tolerance, cooperation and unity is essential if there is to be peace and social harmony. Where these are absent, where differences and historic grievances are enflamed by ideologically ambitious individuals/groups, fear hate,
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From Excess to Simplicity of Living and Social Justice
As we look at the various interconnected crises facing humanity, from poverty war and displacement to the environmental emergency, it becomes clear that they all stem from the same source, from a particular approach to life and way of living. An extremely narrow, largely false view that has led to wholesale environmental vandalism, acutely divided
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Copout In Cairo: ‘They’ Just Don’t Care
As COP 27 drew to a pitiful close with no action on emissions or reparation, I met a friend in a cafe in West London. Distracted by our discussion, we failed to notice his Earl Grey being served in a takeaway cup; aghast, I requested a china mug for mine. Blowing and sipping, we grumbled
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Ethiopia: Peace Agreed The Work Now Begins
Faced with imminent defeat, on 2 November the TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front) finally agreed to stop their vicious attack on Ethiopia. They had little choice in the end, the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) had taken TPLF strongholds in Tigray, and encircled the regional capital Mekelle. The great tragedy is that fighting could have
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Crisis Or Catastrophe: Nothing Changes
Nobody, well nobody in their ‘right mind’ can anymore deny, ignore or escape the burning fact that the natural world is being battered and vandalized by humanity; not all of humanity, just a certain subset. Air, water and soil polluted, forests levelled, ecosystems disrupted, animals species killed off, climate patterns altered. And yet, and yet,
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A Loud and Clear Lesson – For Ethiopia and the World
First things first: as I write so-called peace talks are underway between the democratically elected government of Ethiopia and The Terrorist TPLF. That in itself is a bizarre sentence, and prompts an array of related questions, and issues around law and order, justice, national governance. To be clear, the TPLF have never wanted peace, and
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Ethiopia: Peace Is Impossible While TPLF Roam The Land
As Ethiopians celebrated the new year on 11 September, the TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front) issued a Stance on a Peaceful Resolution of the Current Conflict. Choking on hypocrisy it states that they were, are, will one day be, prepared to “participate in a robust peace process under the auspices of the African Union (AU)”.
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Women Life Freedom
Frustrated and angry, people everywhere are mobilizing, protesting, striking, demanding change, screaming out against injustice, suppression and control. The unprecedented global movement expands week on week; it will not be stopped, no matter the level of violence or intervention state bodies employ to silence people and maintain the corrosive status-quo. In a dramatic Sign of
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Universal Tipping Points: Change is Coming
Much like individual change, societal developments happen gradually, often painfully; even when sudden shifts take place, seemingly ‘out of the blue’, they are the result of an accumulation of incremental steps – the last straw on the camel’s back as it were. Small developments may slip by unnoticed, major events scream out and demand our
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UK: Fragmentation and Decline Under Conservative Rule
After 12 bleak years ofvarious Conservative governments, led by inadequate Prime Ministers, the UK is on its knees. Democracy is under attack like never before; the disaster of Brexit, which has resulted in a catalogue of negatives including social polarization, isolationism and rabid tribalism. Years of grinding austerity, underinvestment in public services, frozen wages and
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