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GLOBAL ISSUES...
Dear Friend,
This issue brings together reports and reflections from regions marked by war, displacement, environmental destruction, democratic erosion, and social resistance. From the continuing devastation in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon to concerns over the widening conflict involving Iran, several articles examine the human consequences of militarism and the failure of international institutions to protect civilian lives.
At the same time, contributors explore another defining challenge of our era: the ecological crisis. Articles on indigenous land rights, environmental education, AI data centres, and World Environment Day highlight the growing tensions between economic expansion, technological development, and environmental justice.
The issue also turns to India, where debates over democracy, education, economic development, historical memory, religious freedom, and foreign policy continue to shape public life. Several authors examine the deeper structural forces influencing contemporary politics and governance, while others focus on grassroots efforts that demonstrate the power of collective action and community participation.
Alongside these analyses are essays that offer pathways toward renewal—through civic engagement, local democracy, ethical reflection, and the enduring wisdom of figures such as Sant Kabir and Kunwar Prasoon.
Across diverse subjects, a common thread emerges: the struggle to uphold human dignity, social justice, ecological responsibility, and democratic values in a period of profound global uncertainty.
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In Solidarity
Binu Mathew
Editor
Countercurrents.org
PALESTINE
Israeli Soldiers Fatally Shoot Palestinian Baby, Wound Parents in Occupied West Bank
by Quds News Network
A seven-month-old Palestinian baby, Sam Fahd Abu Haikal, was killed and his parents were wounded after Israeli soldiers opened fire on their vehicle near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said an initial inquiry found the victims were uninvolved civilians and that the incident is under review. The article places the shooting within the broader context of escalating violence in the occupied West Bank since October 2023, where Palestinian health authorities and international agencies have documented rising numbers of deaths and injuries, including many children.
Israel escalates assault on Lebanon and drives to annex Gaza
by Andre Damon
Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza continue to intensify, according to this article by Andre Damon. It reports expanded Israeli strikes and displacement orders in southern Lebanon, growing territorial control in Gaza, and ongoing civilian casualties across the region. The article also examines US support for Israeli actions, debates within American politics over the wars, and the broader implications of the conflict involving Iran. Arguing that ceasefire and negotiation efforts have not halted military operations, the author contends that current policies are enabling continued displacement, occupation, and humanitarian suffering across the Middle East.
AHSN Statement: Lancet Report Exposes the Collapse of Human Security in Gaza
by Arab Human Security Network
The Arab Human Security Network’s statement on a new Lancet report examines the collapse of Gaza’s health system through the framework of human security. Drawing on testimony from WHO representative Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, it documents the destruction of hospitals, restrictions on humanitarian access, the closure of referral pathways, and rising malnutrition. The statement highlights how health, personal, community, and livelihood security have been undermined by prolonged conflict and blockade. It also recognizes the efforts of Gaza’s health workers to sustain essential services under extreme conditions and calls for urgent measures to restore healthcare access and humanitarian protection.
ATTACK ON IRAN
Trump’s Diplomatic Dilemma & Iran-War!
by Nilofar Suhrawardy
This article examines the diplomatic and political challenges the author believes President Donald Trump faces in relation to the Iran war. It argues that expectations of swift military and diplomatic success have not been realized, while support from traditional allies has been more limited than anticipated. The piece discusses the impact of recent US foreign policy decisions, reactions from European and Arab countries, and Iran’s resistance to external pressure. It contends that the conflict has highlighted the limits of US influence in a changing international landscape and raised broader questions about contemporary power relations and diplomacy.
NICARAGUA
“InSight Crime” Defends an Indicted Criminal: Crime Doesn’t Pay, But US Government Grants Do
by Roger D Harris and Kelly Nelson
This article critiques a recent report by InSight Crime that links the Nicaraguan government to the 2025 assassination of exiled former army officer Roberto Samcam. The authors argue that the allegation rests largely on circumstantial evidence and overlooks Samcam’s alleged role in the violent events that accompanied Nicaragua’s 2018 political crisis. They contend that alternative motives for the killing have not been adequately examined and question the objectivity of InSight Crime’s analysis. The article also explores the funding sources of opposition groups and media organizations involved in shaping narratives about Nicaragua and its government.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Violence in Zehri Raises Alarming Questions About Human Rights in Balochistan
by Baloch Siddik Azad
A report from Zehri, Balochistan documents allegations of home raids, detentions, enforced disappearances, and the killing of Umair Jan Musiani during a security operation. Residents describe weeks of curfew, shortages of essential supplies, and growing fear amid ongoing restrictions. The article details claims by the Musiani family that medical assistance was obstructed and burial arrangements delayed following the incident. It places these events within the broader context of longstanding concerns over human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, and highlights calls for an independent investigation and accountability.
INDIGENOUS LAND RIGHTS
The Green Transition’s Dirty Secret: How Climate Projects Are Stripping Indigenous Land Rights
by Utkarsh Mishra
As governments and corporations accelerate the shift to renewable energy, carbon markets, and critical mineral extraction, Indigenous communities across the Global South are increasingly facing land dispossession, exclusion from decision-making, and violations of their rights. This article examines how climate projects promoted as solutions to the environmental crisis often proceed without Free, Prior and Informed Consent, despite legal protections under international and domestic law. Drawing on recent litigation, documented case studies, and policy developments, it explores the growing tension between climate action and Indigenous land rights, and argues for a transition grounded in justice, participation, and accountability.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
Whose ‘Environment’ is it, anyway?
by Cedric Prakash
Cedric Prakash reflects on the widening gap between official environmental rhetoric and the realities of ecological destruction in India. Focusing on the Great Nicobar mega-project, the article draws attention to concerns about large-scale deforestation, threats to indigenous communities, and damage to a unique biodiversity hotspot. It also links environmental degradation to growing climate-related crises, including heatwaves, pollution, and resource exploitation. Referencing the legacy of environmental activist Fr Bolmax Pereira, the piece argues for greater public awareness and collective action to protect ecosystems, uphold environmental justice, and safeguard the rights of vulnerable communities.
DATA CENTRES
AI Data Centres and Environmental Justice: E.A.S. Sarma Urges Scrutiny of Projects Amid Ecological and Human Rights Concerns
by E A S Sarma
Former Union Secretary E.A.S. Sarma warns that the rapid expansion of AI and data centres in India could have far-reaching environmental and social consequences. In a letter to the Environment Minister, he highlights concerns over massive water and electricity consumption, carbon emissions, land acquisition, and alleged violations of environmental and forest laws. Focusing on projects around Visakhapatnam, he argues that ecologically sensitive areas and drinking water sources are at risk, while marginal farmers face displacement. The article calls for comprehensive environmental appraisal of AI and data-centre projects and stricter enforcement of constitutional and legal safeguards.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Preparing Citizens for a Hotter World
by Ashish Singh
Environmental education remains a marginal part of many education systems despite the growing impact of climate change on economies, public health, governance, and everyday life. Ashish Singh argues that environmental literacy should be treated as a core component of education, not an optional subject. The article examines the need to integrate ecological understanding across disciplines, encourage critical thinking about environmental challenges, and prepare future professionals to navigate a world shaped by climate and resource constraints. It highlights the democratic, social, and developmental importance of equipping citizens with the knowledge needed for informed decision-making in an increasingly uncertain future.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The Pope and the AI Profiteers
by Antara Haldar
Antara Haldar examines Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, as a major intervention in the global debate on artificial intelligence. Drawing parallels with earlier critiques of industrial capitalism, the article argues that the AI revolution raises profound questions about human dignity, labor, power, and democratic control. It contrasts the technology industry’s emphasis on scale, efficiency, and profit with the Vatican’s focus on moral responsibility and the common good. The piece also highlights concerns about monopolistic control, digital colonialism, and the social consequences of automation, emphasizing that technological futures are shaped by human choices, not inevitability.
COUNTER SOLUTIONS
From Doom Scrolling to Civic Action
by Saskia Karges
In this article, Saskia Karges examines how excessive social media use, growing loneliness, and strained public services reflect deeper challenges in contemporary society. She proposes a community-based model in which residents can contribute service hours toward maintaining local infrastructure and supporting social needs in exchange for reductions in municipal fees. The article explores how such a system could strengthen civic participation, recognize care work, encourage skill-sharing, and foster stronger neighborhood connections. By linking individual effort to visible local improvements, it argues for a practical approach to building more resilient, engaged, and self-reliant communities.
GRASSROOT ACTION
A New Aanganwadi Built by the People’s Resolve
by Vikas Parashram Meshram
In Khandora, a small tribal village in Rajasthan’s Banswara district, a long-standing demand for a proper Anganwadi centre has finally been realised through collective community action. After two decades of functioning from a cramped rented room, villagers organised through the Krishi evam Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan and the Gram Swaraj Samuh, took the issue to the Gram Sabha, and persistently followed up with authorities. The result is a new child-friendly Anganwadi serving 83 children and supporting mothers and health workers. The story highlights how organised community participation can help secure essential public services and strengthen local democracy.
LIFE
Sant Kabir’s Enduring Message of Love, Non-Violence, Truth, Simplicity and Devotion
by Bharat Dogra
Sant Kabir remains one of India’s most influential poet-saints, remembered for his commitment to truth, compassion, simplicity, non-violence, and devotion. This article by Bharat Dogra revisits Kabir’s life as a weaver, social reformer, and fearless critic of injustice, highlighting the enduring relevance of his teachings. Rejecting ritualism, hypocrisy, and social divisions, Kabir emphasized ethical living, equality, care for all forms of life, and the courage to stand against oppression. More than five centuries later, his words continue to inspire millions, offering guidance for building a life rooted in love, integrity, and social responsibility.
Voices from the Roots: The Unsung Gandhian Poet Who Shaped Chipko’s Soul-Kunwar Prasoon
by Dr Bhashkaranand Pant and Dr Anupam Bhandari
This article revisits the life and work of Kunwar Prasoon, the activist-poet whose words helped define the ecological vision of the Chipko movement. Best known as the author of the iconic slogan linking forests to soil, water and air, Prasoon combined grassroots activism, journalism, anti-caste commitment and environmental advocacy throughout his life. Drawing on movement histories, archival material and testimonies of fellow activists, the article restores attention to a figure whose contributions to Chipko, seed sovereignty campaigns and Himalayan social movements remain largely absent from mainstream histories.
INDIA
What has helped Modi consolidate his power?
by Dr Ram Puniyani
Historian Ramachandra Guha has argued that the Gandhi family helped Narendra Modi consolidate political power. In this article, Dr. Ram Puniyani challenges that view, contending that the rise and endurance of Modi’s leadership are better understood through the long-term influence of the RSS, the politics of Hindu nationalism, media support, corporate backing, state institutions, and sustained propaganda. The article examines key developments from Gujarat to the national stage, while also assessing the opposition’s shortcomings. It argues that the deeper ideological penetration of RSS politics, rather than the weaknesses of individual opposition leaders, is central to understanding contemporary Indian politics.
India’s emergence as the world’s fourth-largest economy: Mirage v Reality!
by Suresh Deman
India’s rise to become the world’s fourth-largest economy has been widely celebrated as a milestone in its development journey. This article examines the gap between headline GDP figures and underlying economic realities, highlighting concerns about employment, wages, the informal sector, MSME distress, inflation measurement, and data reliability. It argues that growth driven by statistical methods and capital-intensive sectors may not translate into broad-based improvements in livelihoods. Comparing India’s trajectory with China’s development model, the article calls for greater transparency, institutional reform, stronger human capital investment, and a more inclusive approach to economic progress.
The Controlled Release: BJP, Annamalai, and the Long Game in Tamil Nadu
by Nihar Nalini Sarangi
In this analysis, Nihar Nalini Sarangi examines K. Annamalai’s departure from the BJP and the rapid launch of his new political party in Tamil Nadu. The article argues that the sequence of events surrounding his resignation, meeting with Amit Shah, and immediate political re-entry suggests a carefully managed transition rather than a conventional break. It explores how Annamalai’s new formation could reshape Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, particularly in relation to the ruling TVK government, and assesses the broader strategic implications for the BJP’s long-term approach to a state where it has struggled to gain electoral ground.
Courts, Capitalism and Cockroaches in India
by Bhabani Shankar Nayak
Bhabani Shankar Nayak examines the controversy surrounding remarks attributed to Chief Justice Surya Kant and uses it to explore broader questions about bias, access to justice, and the influence of class and caste in India’s judicial system. The article argues that the growing commercialization of legal processes has widened inequalities in access to justice, while perceptions and social prejudices continue to shape institutional outcomes. Drawing on political, social, and philosophical critiques of capitalism and individualism, the author reflects on the importance of collective action, democratic participation, and youth-led resistance in defending constitutional values and strengthening egalitarian foundations of justice.
Where Is the RSS Today, and Where Is the Rashtra Seva Dal?
by Dr Suresh Khairnar
Marking the 85th anniversary of the Rashtra Seva Dal, Dr. Suresh Khairnar reflects on its founding in 1941 as an inclusive alternative to the RSS and examines its journey over the decades. Drawing on personal experiences in both organisations, he contrasts their approaches to nationalism, secularism, and social inclusion. The article discusses the growth of the RSS, the organisational challenges faced by the Rashtra Seva Dal, and the changing condition of Indian democracy and communal relations. It concludes with a call for renewed commitment to strengthening the Rashtra Seva Dal ahead of its centenary in 2041.
Is India Waiting for Another “Total Revolution”?
by Aman Namra
Aman Namra reflects on growing public unease in India amid unemployment, inequality, concerns about democratic institutions, and the search for credible political alternatives. The article examines why many young people feel dissatisfied yet remain uncertain about where to direct their energies. It argues that fragmented social movements, activists, and grassroots organizations could play a larger role by building collective platforms based on shared goals rather than individual leadership. Drawing lessons from Jayaprakash Narayan’s idea of “Total Revolution,” the piece explores the importance of trust, democratic participation, collective leadership, and practical alternatives in shaping meaningful social and political change.
Barkatullah University Must Remain Barkatullah University
by Mohd Ziyaullah Khan
A proposal to rename Barkatullah University in Bhopal has sparked debate over historical memory, public institutions, and the recognition of freedom fighters. This article revisits the life of Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali, an international anti-colonial revolutionary who dedicated his life to India’s independence and championed interfaith unity. It argues that the university’s name reflects a legacy of sacrifice, intellectual resistance, and inclusive nationalism. The article contends that preserving Barkatullah’s name is important not only to honour his contributions but also to uphold a broader understanding of India’s diverse freedom movement and shared national heritage.
India’s Policy of Becoming a Strategic Partner of the United States Will Have Serious Repercussions
by Dr Arun Mitra
Dr. Arun Mitra examines India’s growing strategic alignment with the United States and argues that it carries significant economic and geopolitical consequences. The article discusses energy imports, relations with Russia, Iran, and Venezuela, India’s role in BRICS and the Quad, and its ties with Israel. It also raises concerns about foreign policy independence, regional tensions in South Asia, economic challenges, and domestic social issues. The author contends that India should pursue a more autonomous foreign policy focused on peace, regional cooperation, and national interests rather than deeper integration into U.S.-led strategic objectives.
NEET
Can we do away with NEET and such examinations?
by Sandeep Pandey
In this article, Sandeep Pandey examines the recurring controversies surrounding NEET, CUET and other large-scale entrance examinations, arguing that repeated failures have eroded public confidence in the system. He questions the emphasis on competitive testing and marks-based evaluation, proposing a model that prioritises continuous learning and teacher assessment. The article advocates expanding educational opportunities by increasing institutional capacity, reducing barriers to admission, and rethinking the role of examinations in higher education. It also discusses reforms in medical education, public investment in institutions, and the need to address shortages of healthcare professionals across the country.
CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
Reflections from a People’s Tribunal on Violence Against Christians in India
by Farhan Siddiqui
A People’s Tribunal on violence against Christians in India brought together survivors, activists, scholars, and human rights defenders to document testimonies from across several states. The accounts described allegations of physical attacks, social exclusion, arbitrary arrests, denial of access to community resources, and restrictions on burial rights. The article situates these experiences within broader concerns about majoritarian politics, religious freedom, and constitutional protections. It also highlights the resilience of affected communities and the need for stronger solidarity among marginalized groups. The testimonies raise important questions about justice, dignity, equality, and democratic accountability in contemporary India.
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