World

Mullah Omar Painting

If the Taliban Reconquer Afghanistan, Does It Matter If Mullah Omar Died? If the Taliban Reconquer Afghanistan, Does It Matter If Mullah Omar Died?

In all likelihood, the story of his death is being co-opted by various factions in Afghanistan for their own purposes.

Jul 30, 2015 / Juan Cole

Paradise Fire

The Wettest Rainforest in the United States Has Gone Up in Flames The Wettest Rainforest in the United States Has Gone Up in Flames

When fire can eat a rainforest in a relatively cool climate, you know the Earth is beginning to burn.

Jul 30, 2015 / Subhankar Banerjee

Chucky Taylor

Chucky Taylor, Liberia’s Other Monster Chucky Taylor, Liberia’s Other Monster

The fate of Liberia was ensnared by uniquely American pathologies.

Jul 30, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Aaron Leaf

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans With Disabilities Act Is a Model for the World—Literally The Americans With Disabilities Act Is a Model for the World—Literally

This landmark legislation became the basis for an international treaty embraced by much of the world—but not, ironically, by the United States.

Jul 29, 2015 / Janet E. Lord

Leopoldo López Is Not Venezuela’s Savior

Leopoldo López Is Not Venezuela’s Savior Leopoldo López Is Not Venezuela’s Savior

Despite US support, the revolutionary has only succeeded in pushing like-minded opposition leaders far, far away.

Jul 29, 2015 / Greg Grandin

Malaysia Needed a Clean Human Rights Record—So the State Department Just Gave It to Them

Malaysia Needed a Clean Human Rights Record—So the State Department Just Gave It to Them Malaysia Needed a Clean Human Rights Record—So the State Department Just Gave It to Them

The president cleansed Malaysia of its notorious human trafficking record to give the country a front row seat to join the TPP—and Congress can’t do anything about it.

Jul 29, 2015 / William Greider

Ukrainian national flag

Will France and Other European Countries Break With the US on the Ukrainian Crisis? Will France and Other European Countries Break With the US on the Ukrainian Crisis?

Or could we see a thaw in US–Russian relations?

Jul 29, 2015 / Stephen F. Cohen

July 29, 1899: The First Hague Convention is Signed, Establishing a Precedent for International Law

July 29, 1899: The First Hague Convention is Signed, Establishing a Precedent for International Law July 29, 1899: The First Hague Convention is Signed, Establishing a Precedent for International Law

“Individually, we all favor every plan for peace; but collectively, you know, the thing is impossible.”

Jul 29, 2015 / Richard Kreitner

John Kerry Iran Deal

It’s Not a Nuclear-Armed Iran That Israel and Saudi Arabia Really Fear It’s Not a Nuclear-Armed Iran That Israel and Saudi Arabia Really Fear

It’s that the Vienna Agreement opens the door for the United States and Iran to develop important financial and trade ties.

Jul 28, 2015 / Peter Van Buren

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh

Why Boston Was Compelled to Pull Its 2024 Olympic Bid Why Boston Was Compelled to Pull Its 2024 Olympic Bid

The crumbling of Boston’s 2024 Olympic bid is a victory for activists and a loss for the city’s most entrenched business interests.

Jul 28, 2015 / Dave Zirin

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