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The West and the Global South

‘You can’t be neutral in Ukraine War’

You are either with us, or against us

by Ben Norton,* USA

(7 March 2023) The foreign ministers of the United States, Germany, and Ukraine have told the world “you can’t be neutral” in NATO’s proxy war with
Russia,1 recalling President George W. Bush’s infamous declaration, “You are either with us, or against us”. In doing so, these Western officials are implicitly criticizing the vast majority of the countries on Earth, which are in the Global South, and which have maintained strict neutrality over the war.
Russia

A new life: four student portraits

A report on young people who, despite the conflict in Ukraine, decided to make a success of their lives

by Maria D.*

(7 March 2023) No one knows in advance what life will bring, and therefore, you can hardly prepare for unpredictable twists of fate. At present, the whole world is watching the great drama unfolding in the Slavic area.

About Swiss Neutrality

Neutrality by the day

by Olivier Delacretaz,* Lausanne

(7 March 2023) On 19 March 2021, the Swiss government published the report entitled “China Strategy 2021-2024”. This report criticises the democratic inadequacy of China, in particular the persecution of its ethnic minorities. Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis threatens to adopt a “more robust” attitude if China does not behave better. This somewhat ridiculous interference in Chinese internal affairs is certainly not the work of a neutral state.

Democracy in Times of War

Challenges to our Common Humanity

I.P.O. President Hans Köchler delivers opening speech at “World Forum on Democracy & Peace” in Berlin

(28 February 2023) (News release) Referring to Immanuel Kant’s seminal treatise on Perpetual Peace, Hans Köchler, President of the Vienna-based “International Progress Organization”, earlier this week [15–18 February 2023] reminded an audience of global leaders assembled at the “Academy for Cultural Diplomacy” in Berlin, Germany, that only a polity where citizens have an influence on the conduct of foreign affairs offers a prospect of a peace that is durable and more than a temporary cessation of arms.

Call for peace

Stand up for survival

written on 31 January 2023, published on 4 February 2023
The list of signatories was updated on 25 February 2023

Deeply concerned about life and survival in the centre of Europe, we address this appeal primarily to the people of German-speaking European countries. With a diversity of socio-political views, we are sustained by the common conviction that at no time since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 has our world been so close to catastrophe. If the delusional enthusiasm for war currently being fomented in the mass media is not effectively counteracted, there is a great danger the Ukraine war will lead to the use of nuclear weapons in Europe.
USA/Nato/Japan versus China

Militarization of the First Island Chain

by German Foreign Policy*

(28 February 2023) NATO expands cooperation with Japan on a broad front – at a time when Tokyo is engaged in the greatest arms buildup since 1945. USA gears up the entire first island chain of China for war.