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The New York Times: The rule of law and the independence of the judiciary are fragile achievements in many countries — and susceptible to sharp reversals.
Article • Mark Weisbrot’s Columns
The Hill: The New York Times and Congress have highlighted that the US is actively aiding Saudi Arabia’s devastating war in Yemen—through refueling, targeting assistance, and arms sales—contributing to mass civilian deaths, famine, and cholera, and efforts are now underway to use congressional authority to end this unconstitutional military involvement.
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AlterNet: The Trump administration, backed by allies like Senator Rubio, has escalated sanctions and economic pressure on Venezuela to block debt restructuring and undermine the government, deliberately worsening shortages and suffering to provoke regime change rather than promote democracy.
Article • Mark Weisbrot’s Columns
AlterNet: The Catalan independence movement reflects both a long history of cultural and political repression and the economic failures of Spain and the eurozone—including high unemployment, austerity, and rising inequality—while the Spanish government’s heavy-handed response under Rajoy, rooted in Francoist legacies, has exacerbated tensions and fueled separatist sentiment.
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US News and World Report: Brazilian politician Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right, misogynist, and nostalgic supporter of the country’s military dictatorship, is rising in the polls partly due to media support and judicial interference against his main rival, former president Lula da Silva, highlighting the fragility of Brazil’s democracy amid economic turmoil and elite-driven political manipulation.
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HuffPost: The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook highlights critical issues like wage stagnation, inequality, climate change, and global financial risks, but its policy prescriptions—favoring interest rate hikes, austerity, and structural reforms that weaken labor power—undermine solutions and leave developing countries and workers vulnerable.
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BuzzFeed News: Puerto Rico faces a compounded crisis: devastated infrastructure and public health from hurricanes, a collapsing economy, and a crippling $74 billion debt, all worsened by its colonial-like political status and federally imposed austerity, making debt relief, full federal support, and a rethinking of its political and economic relationship with the US essential for recovery.
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US News and World Report: The Trump administration’s foreign policy, from threatening North Korea with nuclear annihilation to actively participating in Saudi-led atrocities in Yemen, reflects imperial priorities and power projection rather than American security, prompting a growing movement in Congress and among citizens to demand accountability and advocate for independent, humane foreign policy.
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The Nation: The Trump administration’s sanctions on Venezuela block borrowing, investment, and debt restructuring, worsening shortages and making economic recovery nearly impossible, while international support—particularly from China—offers a potential path for stabilization, negotiation, and Venezuelan-led solutions free from US interference.
Article • Mark Weisbrot’s Columns
The Hill: The Trump administration announced new, unprecedented sanctions against Venezuela on Friday that are designed to cut off financing to Venezuela. The Trump team pretends that the sanctions are only directed at the government.
