Pieces of Resistance – Page 2 – Countering the narratives of imperialism

More evidence of why Iran’s nuclear program is not the problem

2 March 20152 March 2015 by Ashley

On 13 December 2014 I wrote an article explaining why Iran’s nuclear program is not the real point of conflict between Iran and the US.

“Contrary to what the media commonly reports, the US’ dispute with Iran does not stem from Iran’s nuclear activities. Rather it stems from the fact that Iran has never accepted a subdued position under US dominance, starting with the 1979 revolution.”

Last week Erin Banco published a similar article, ‘Middle East Countries Wary Of Iran Sanctions Easing, Not Possible Nuclear Weapons.’¹

“Iran’s regional adversaries are concerned about something else: the power that Iran’s economy, unshackled from sanctions by a nuclear deal with the international community, would exert in the Middle East.”

Banco explains what will happen to Iran’s economy if sanctions are removed, and why the other Middle Eastern countries are wary.

Their concern regarding Iran’s economy if freed from sanctions explains why they prefer the sanctions to remain, and have used Iran’s nuclear activities as an excuse to prevent the country from developing.

It is more evidence of why Iran’s nuclear program is not the problem.

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Why the Ukrainian conflict is not all about Putin

3 March 20151 March 2015 by Ashley

On 15 February 2015 a ceasefire was to come into effect between the Ukrainian government and the rebels fighting for the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). Dr Matthew Davies believed the ceasefire would not last because it did not advantage Vladimir Putin.¹ As President of Russia, Putin holds influence with the DPR, and indeed is perceived by many as being behind their rebellion. According to Davies, the Ukrainian conflict has ‘never been about Ukraine, or even about territory that Putin thinks should be integrated into Russia [but] about the hurt honour of a country and a leader who want to be considered important. The conflict has been about perception.’ The narrative that the Ukrainian conflict is all about Putin is a common one in Western media, and is repeatedly used to explain the conflict.

I disagree with the narrative that the Ukrainian conflict is all about Putin. Rather, I think his actions are in the interests of Russia and are a defensive strategy in the face of threatening actions from the United States and Europe. To put it simply, I believe Putin is acting in defence of Russia. Below I will explain why.

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The real problem of ‘getting to yes’ with Iran

16 February 201516 February 2015 by Ashley

by Gareth Porter

[Obama asked] “Does Iran have the political will and desire to get a deal done?”… The premise of Obama’s remark was that US demands are purely rational and technical in nature…[but] Iran is acting irrationally in refusing to accept that US demand.

Gareth Porter examines and dispels these assumptions.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/real-reason-nuclear-talks-stalemate-297894422

The emergence of ‘Shiaphobia’ and anti-Shia bias in the media

16 February 201529 January 2015 by Ashley

by HR

Groups who claim to be Sunni Muslims, such as ISIS and Al Qaeda are not labelled as Sunni Militants (even though they actually do claim their cause to be sectarian) – so why the double standard in reporting Shia Muslim news stories?

HR draws attention to the negative media reporting regarding Shia Muslims.

http://www.digital-resistance.com/analysis/emergence-shiaphobia-anti-shia-bias-media/

Muslims should be doing more?

12 January 201512 January 2015 by Ashley

A trend following recent terrorist attacks by Muslim extremists is people demanding “moderate Muslims” speak out against the violent acts and “do more” to prevent future attacks. The people making these demands are often members of the public voicing their opinion on social media, but celebrities and media personnel have also made similar remarks.

Although most simply demand “moderate Muslims” speak out against these acts or wonder why they don’t, some go so far as to hold all Muslims responsible for the acts of a few.

Iran’s nuclear program is not the problem

16 February 201513 December 2014 by Ashley

On 24 November 2014 the negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China + Germany) around Iran’s nuclear activities ended in an extension of the interim agreement proposed in 2013. It was hoped by many a permanent agreement could be reached, resulting in the lifting of the sanctions inflicted upon Iran by the US and the reintegration of Iran into global trade and relations. However, even if an agreement can be found at the end of the extended interim agreement, it is unlikely to normalise relations between Iran and the West.

The Mockingjay of Palestine: “If we burn, you burn with us”

5 July 201510 December 2014 by Ashley

by Ramzy Baroud

“I want to tell the people that if you think for one second [they] will treat us fairly if there’s a cease-fire, you’re deluding yourself. Because you know who they are and what they do.”

Ramzy Baroud draws parallels between the latest Hunger Games movie, Mockinjay, and the occupation of Palestine.

Does [Mockinjay author] Collins know that Katniss, who didn’t choose such a fate, but had to step up in defense of her people, is represented in thousands of men, women, and yes, children of Gaza? Does she know that her stories were already written and enacted by real people, who may never have heard of her franchise and may never live to watch her movies? Does she know that criminal leaders such as President Snow are not something of fantasy, but they actually exist, here today in the persons of Benjamin Netanyahu and countless other Israeli leaders who call for the absolute annihilation of Gazans at a whim?

http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2014/12/08/the-mockingjay-of-palestine-if-we-burn-you-burn-with-us/

Why foreign military intervention usually fails in the 21st century

5 July 20155 November 2014 by Ashley

by Richard Falk

Given the way elites think and militarism is structured into the bloodstream of major states, foreign military intervention is intrinsic to the war system. We must work now as hard to eliminate war as earlier centuries worked to eliminate slavery. Nothing less will suffice to rescue the planet from free fall to disaster.

http://richardfalk.wordpress.com/2014/11/01/why-foreign-military-intervention-usually-fails-in-the-21st-century/

Australia’s incremental steps to war

5 July 201511 October 2014 by Ashley

Regardless if it is technically at war or not, Australia is becoming more and more involved in the fight against Islamic State (IS). Keeping in line with the US, the operations of Australian armed forces are gradually being escalated. It is likely the Australian government had considered an extended military role in Iraq as early as August, and was encouraging the US to increase its military involvement there.¹ But politicians know the unpopularity of sending Australian troops overseas, so the government adopted an incremental approach to escalation, as if breaking the news to the public gently, with each step further involving Australian armed forces in the conflict. Over the course of two months Australian operations evolved from humanitarian aid drops into airstrike missions and the deployment of SAS Commandos as military advisers. How long before the government commits ground troops to the battle?

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Personal politics and supporting Palestine

5 July 201527 September 2014 by Ashley

Bret Stephens in the Wall Street Journal pointed out that Israel arouses a level of condemnation that never seems to apply equally elsewhere.¹ I have seen a similar theme on social media: why do many individuals who vocally support Palestine remain silent on other conflicts and tragedies around the world, many of which have a higher mortality rate than the Israel/Palestine conflict? (Examples provided include fighting or persecution in places like Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Ukraine, and Nigeria).

The implication of this theme is that Palestinian supporters either perceive the lives of others around the world as less worthy of support, or that the real reason for their support of Palestine is actually a hatred for Israel (with the unspoken accusation of anti-Semitism).

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