Kazakhstan president proposes reforms to limit his powers

Tokayev seeks to switch his country from ‘superpresidential’ rule to a presidential republic with a strong parliament. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed constitutional reforms to limit the powers of his office, saying the country needed to switch from “superpresidential” rule to a presidential republic with a strong parliament. Tokayev was elected president in 2019 with the

History Brief: The Truman Doctrine – Reading Through History

This video offers a brief description of the Truman Doctrine and its impact.

Report from Kyiv: LGBTQ Activist Says Ukrainians Are United in Resisting Russian Invasion – Democracy Now!

Ukraine is demanding an immediate ceasefire and for all Russian troops to leave the country as they report more than 350 Ukrainian civilians have so far been killed in President Putin’s invasion, which entered its fifth day Monday. The United Nations is also reporting more than 500,000 people have fled Ukraine and another 100,000 are

Democracy in decline worldwide

For the first time since 2004, the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) has recorded more autocratic states than democracies around the world. Civil society activists often represent the last bastion of resistance. Autocracies such as Russia and China on the one hand; democracies like the USA or Germany on the other. Is that the great conflict

Australia: Labor senator Kimberley Kitching names billionaire Chau Chak Wing as ‘puppeteer’ in foreign interference plot

A federal senator has used parliamentary privilege to suggest a prominent Chinese-Australian political donor is the mysterious “puppeteer” behind a thwarted foreign interference plot to back political candidates in the next election. During a Senate estimates hearing, Labor senator Kimberley Kitching alleged the wealthy businessman behind the recent overseas conspiracy was property developer Chau Chak Wing.

Japan protests after Russia announces exercise near disputed island

Japan has lodged two protests with Russia after Moscow announced it will hold military exercises this month around islands claimed by Tokyo, the government said Monday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the protests were made on Thursday and Friday after Russia issued navigation warnings ahead of target practice exercises from Tuesday through March 1

Rebel groups in eastern Myanmar join forces against the gov’t – Al Jazeera

In the year since Myanmar’s coup, many opposed to military rule have joined the ranks of ethnic armed groups fighting the government. Kayah State in the east has seen some of the heaviest fighting as the conflict escalates.

China joins Russia in opposing Nato expansion

China has joined Russia in opposing further Nato expansion as the two countries move closer together in the face of Western pressure. Moscow and Beijing issued a statement showcasing their agreement on a raft of issues during a visit by Russia’s Vladimir Putin for the Winter Olympics. Mr Putin claims Western powers are using the

World accused of ‘sitting and watching’ as Myanmar slides to war – Al Jazeera

One year since the military coup in Myanmar, calls for international action are growing louder, notably from the National Unity Government (NUG), made up of elected politicians who were thrown out of office by the generals.

Biden and Japanese P.M. Kishida expected to discuss North Korea, China

The two leaders also planned to discuss a united response related to Russian aggression toward Ukraine, a senior Biden administration official said. President Joe Biden met virtually with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Friday morning to discuss regional security and other common threats, such as Covid, the climate crisis and partnering on cybersecurity. The two countries are