Nima Maleki

Creation of cheap labour a means to profits: Marikana mineworkers massacre in South Africa

Nima Maleki — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:45:12 +0000

A long history of private profits from South Africa’s abundant mineral deposits has marched arm in arm with generations of cheap labour. The August 16 massacre of 34 people at Marikana mine is no isolated incident: for a social and economic system that is geared to ever expanding profits as a fundament of its daily calculus for existence, 'community resistance' is a necessary cost for making money and concentrating profits.

The Marikana mine massacre took place during a strike by 3,000 miners employed by one of the world’s largest platinum producers, Lonmin Plc. Miners were surrounded by police, cut off from nearby homes and communities by armed men and razor wire, in order to force workers to end their strike and return to work.

Workers action at South Africa's Marikana mine

Nima Maleki — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:14:28 +0000

Police have killed 34 and injured 78 striking miners at a platinum mine in South Africa’s Marikana. The mine is owned by the Lonmin Plc, which has a 2011 total annual revenue of over $1.5 billion (sources here and here from Lonmin company accounts, used to calculate annual revenue. Revenues totaled $1.6 billion in 2010).

Russia's presidential tag team continues, the U.S. plans to build new military sites in Central Asia and China's growth hastens

Nima Maleki — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:09:16 +0000

The expected has happened, which somehow has stirred a lot of speculation about the future of Russia. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he would consider taking back the country's presidency during the 2012 elections.

"Naturally, I am already thinking about this issue with President Medvedev but have decided not to make much fuss about it, not to let ourselves be distracted by this problem," Putin said to French media.

Israel threatens China, Iran barred from the SCO and Israeli document calls Gaza blockade 'economic warfare'

Nima Maleki — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:19:11 +0000

Israeli officials have said they threatened war against Iran in order to try and convince China to vote in support of economic sanctions at the UN Security Council.

The New York Times broke this story: "In February, a high-level Israeli delegation traveled to Beijing to present alleged evidence of Iran’s atomic ambitions. Then they unveiled the ostensible purpose of their visit: to explain in sobering detail the economic impact to China from an Israeli strike on Iran."

New sanctions on Iran, it's an old story that started in 1951

Nima Maleki — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:19:00 +0000

The UN Security Council, on June 9, 2010, implemented new sanctions against Iran. U.S. president Obama called this fourth round of sanctions in response to Iran's nuclear program as "the toughest ever faced by Iran."

Israeli spy station in Turkey aimed at Iran; the Gaza aid flotilla; and China benefits from Iran sanctions

Nima Maleki — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:48:01 +0000

Following the operation in which nine civilians on an aid flotilla were killed by Israeli commandos, relations between Israel and Turkey have continued to take a dive. Most interestingly, The Times Online has this to say (found via Friday Lunch Club):

Israel's attack of aid ships in international waters strains relations within NATO

Nima Maleki — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:06:31 +0000

The Israeli attack on the humanitarian aid flotilla that resulted in the death of 9 people has strained relations within an already tense environment in the NATO alliance. The flotilla left from Turkey and all those who died were Turskish citizens, one of whom also held U.S. citizenship.

Brzezinski in Canada, or how to keep the U.S. number one in the world

Nima Maleki — Fri, 28 May 2010 13:26:22 +0000

Zbigniew Brzezinski is a long time foreign policy expert and advisor to the U.S. government, former National Security Advisor to U.S. president Jimmy Carter, and is much listened to on the subject of maintaining the U.S. as the leading global power, specifically by way of being the dominant player in key geographies of Asia and Europe.

He gave a talk on foreign policy in April. The talk was held in Canada, and touched on the subject of U.S. geopolitical preeminence in the emerging multi-polar world.

Turkey in context: The Turkey-Brazil-Iran nuclear negotiation

Nima Maleki — Wed, 19 May 2010 17:57:11 +0000

On Monday, Turkey and Iran agreed to swap nuclear fuel (low enriched uranium).

"The deal forged with Turkey and Brazil appeared to be another attempt to stave off U.N. sanctions -- a doubtful endeavor judging by reactions from the United States and other Western powers," according to an article published in the Huffington Post.

Private war: Mercenaries at work

Nima Maleki — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:12:02 +0000

Guns for hire are increasingly being used in US-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, their numbers rising to shocking levels. These mercenaries are mainly paid for by the US, and their numbers often match or exceed those of foreign and local troops. 217,892 private security operate in Afghanistan and Iraq versus 192,000 US troops.

U.S. military bases in Japan: Okinawan open letter to president Obama

Nima Maleki — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:58:27 +0000

The Study Group on Okinawan External Affairs has published an open letter regarding the burden and future of U.S. military bases on the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa.

Fighting in Yemen reflects growing Saudi-Iran tensions

Nima Maleki — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:24:24 +0000

A hot war has erupted against the Houthis of northern Yemen. Saudi and Yemeni military forces have engaged with the minority rebels, marking a new and bloody phase that has now drawn at least one regional power into the five year-old conflict between the Shia Houthis and the Sunni central government.

Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, the head of Iran's Guardian Council

Nima Maleki — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:38:05 +0000

Iran’s Guardian Council, a prominent branch of the country’s political system, is often in the spotlight both inside and outside of the country, and at its head sits Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati, a man of long political experience.

Iran: More unrest and arrests; the republic's three decades of history; and questioning what next

Nima Maleki — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:45:03 +0000

Below are clips from articles analyzing the current situation in Iran. For hourly updates on events, you can visit Nico Pitney's blog at the Huffington Post or the New York Time's the Lede.

Ahmadinejad Slams Obama; 70 Professors Arrested; Wednesday Protest Violently Attacked

Juan Cole - Informed Comment

The BBC is reporting that a victory celebration by the Iranian elite to which 300 prominent persons were invited ended up being poorly attended, with 105 guests not showing up.

Iran: a deeper look at post-election events

Nima Maleki — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:21:32 +0000

Below are some excerpts from articles on Iran that provde some further depth and analysis. I suggest reading the complete articles by clicking on each title. You can also follow regular updates on events at the Lede.

History suggest the coup will fail

Patrick Cockburn - The Independent

[Nima: This article provides some much needed historical background]