October, 2022

• 3 October

  Iran: The Chained Volcano

  

  Today’s Damavand [volcano] s made of a new generation of Iranians who don’t give tuppence about the Islamic Republic’s arcane narrative, and prefer life in the modern world, warts and all, to the North Korean-style society that “Supreme Guide” Ali Khamenei is trying to impose on Iran. The uprising was …

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• 3 October

  Only Adult Children Still Believe U.S. Propaganda

  

  It should now be quite clear to any reasonable person that the Biden administration is hell-bent on destroying Russia and will risk nuclear war in doing so. It has already started World War III with its use of Ukraine to light the final match. The problem is that reasonable people …

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• 3 October

  Israel, Lebanon Receive US-Brokered Maritime Border Proposal

  

  Israel and Lebanon received a US-brokered proposal for an agreement on a maritime border between the two countries. Lebanese President Michel Aoun met with US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea on Saturday and received the written proposal from US mediator Amos Hochstein, according to the Lebanese Presidency. At Sunday’s regular …

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• 3 October

  Why is Italy swerving far right? Many feel they have no choice.

  

  Giorgia Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, looks likely to become Italy’s first female prime minister in Sunday’s elections. She has waged a slick communication campaign, using speeches peppered with anecdotes to suit each region. Her messages have something for everyone: fiscal relief, youth employment, secure borders, …

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• 3 October

  Biden Administration’s Gift to Russia: Iran Nuke Deal

  

  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stunningly made it clear to US lawmakers that the Biden administration will not stand in the way of Russia cashing in on the $10 billion contract as well as Russia-Iran nuclear cooperation. And the State Department spokesman Ned Price reiterated the Biden administration’s …

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• 1 October

  Bosnia Needs Genuine Reform, not Backroom Deals With Politicians

  

  The EU has always been tempted to hatch deals with powerful politicians – but this has only cemented the unhealthy grip of ethno-politics on the country. Despite the proximity of general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country’s High Representative, Christian Schmidt, has continued to flirt with the incomprehensible step …

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• 1 October

  Albania’s Quick-Fix Econ Measures Seen Encouraging Criminality

  

  From golden passports to gambling, retroactive building permits to a ‘no-questions-asked’ policy on undeclared assets, Albania’s government is trying to unlock funds but risks unleashing criminality, experts warn. Seeking a quick fix to Albania’s economic woes, the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama wants to lift a ban on gambling, …

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• 1 October

  Bosnian Politicians Obsess Over– but Don’t Understand – Geopolitics

  

  Like ‘corruption’ a few years ago, geopolitics has become a concept that is seen as explaining pretty much everything – but is it anything more than a cheap rhetorical ploy? As general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina draw near on October 2, much of the focus of the politicians seem …

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• 1 October

  Croatia’s Ethnic Homogenisation Continues as Serb Minority Dwindles

  

  Recently-published census data shows that the number of Serbs and other ethnic groups living in Croatia has fallen – another sign that the country’s minorities need stronger legal protection amid continuing attacks on their rights. A long-awaited batch of data from last year’s population census in Croatia was finally released …

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• 1 October

  Political Veterans Dominate Race for Bosnian Presidency

  

  Sunday’s election for the tripartite presidency is a race between some of the best-known faces on Bosnia’s much-maligned political scene. New faces are hard to find on ballot papers in this weekend’s race for the tripartite presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The October 2 vote, part of elections across the …

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