Thalif Deen

Thalif Deen writes for Inter Press Service.

Brazil-Turkey Deal with Iran Undermines Big Power Politics

When Brazil and Turkey clinched a deal with Iran over its disputed nuclear program last weekend, the two non-permanent members of the Security Council not only challenged the unbridled political power exercised by the five big powers but also jeopardized U.S. plans for a unanimous resolution imposing sanctions against Tehran. As a result, the 15-member … Continue reading “Brazil-Turkey Deal with Iran Undermines Big Power Politics”

Shielded by US Umbrella, Israel Joins OECD

UNITED NATIONS – With tongue firmly entrenched in his cheek, an Arab diplomat recounts an Israeli cabinet meeting interrupted by an aide rushing in with the latest statistics on the state of the economy. The crops were down, growth was low, reserves were minimal, and inflation was high, he announced, portraying a rather gloomy economic … Continue reading “Shielded by US Umbrella, Israel Joins OECD”

Treaty Aimed at Banning Nukes Remains Grounded

The world’s antiwar activists, including parliamentarians, civil society groups and diplomats, have succeeded in creating international treaties to ban a wide array of deadly weapons: anti-personnel landmines, blinding laser weapons, cluster munitions, dum-dum bullets and chemical and biological weapons. But "the most iniquitous weapon of all" — the nuclear weapon — has continued to escape … Continue reading “Treaty Aimed at Banning Nukes Remains Grounded”

Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime Has Triple Standards

The abolition of nuclear weapons — and a halt to the spread of the deadly armaments — will be a major talking point at the month-long Review Conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), scheduled to take place at the United Nations beginning next week. The conference, held every five years, comes at a time … Continue reading “Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime Has Triple Standards”

UN Chief Doubts Mideast Nuke-Free Zone

UNITED NATIONS – Against the backdrop of a major summit meeting of world leaders on nuclear non-proliferation hosted by the United States, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed strong doubts about the long-standing proposal to create a nuclear-free zone in the militarily volatile Middle East. The proposal has not achieved any progress until now for various reasons, … Continue reading “UN Chief Doubts Mideast Nuke-Free Zone”

Russia, China Sustain Military Toehold in Yemen

Russia has stolen a march over the United States in the multi-million-dollar arms market in cash-strapped Yemen, whose weapons purchases are being funded mostly by neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Yemeni armed forces, currently undergoing an ambitious military modernization program worth an estimated four billion dollars, are armed with weapons largely from Russia, China, Ukraine and … Continue reading “Russia, China Sustain Military Toehold in Yemen”

US Arms Funding May Come Back to Haunt in Yemen

When Yemen refused to vote in support of a U.S.-sponsored Security Council resolution against Iraq during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, a visibly angry U.S. delegate turned to the Yemeni diplomat and said: "That will be the last time you will ever vote against a U.S. resolution." Washington’s subsequent retaliation, in the aftermath of that negative … Continue reading “US Arms Funding May Come Back to Haunt in Yemen”

UN Affirms Israeli-Hamas War Crimes Report

A 575-page blistering report by Justice Richard Goldstone detailing war crimes in Gaza last December is refusing to die despite an aggressive Israeli smear campaign to kill it. The report, which was favorably voted by the 47-member Human Rights Council in Geneva last month, received overwhelming support Thursday in the 192-member General Assembly. The vote … Continue reading “UN Affirms Israeli-Hamas War Crimes Report”

US Berated for Shielding Israel on Gaza Killings

A U.S. decision to stall Security Council action against Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas for war crimes during the 22-day conflict in Gaza last December has come under heavy fire both from inside and outside the United Nations. Addressing the Security Council Wednesday, the chair of the 118-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Ambassador Maged … Continue reading “US Berated for Shielding Israel on Gaza Killings”

UN’s Big Powers World’s Top Military Spenders

UNITED NATIONS – The world’s biggest military spenders last year were countries that were either permanent members of the Security Council or aspiring to hold that privileged rank, according to the latest figures released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The United States, China, France, Britain, and Russia – all veto-wielding members … Continue reading “UN’s Big Powers World’s Top Military Spenders”