Opposition Calls for Referendum on Bolivia’s Morales

Staff / Truthdig May 9, 2008 Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia, will face a confidence vote in the next 90 days as opposition groups continue their push to remove him from power. The vote comes on the tail of last week's unofficial and meaningless referendum for autonomy in which the wealthy state of Santa Cruz voted for greater independence from the federal government. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Israel Turns 60

Staff / Truthdig May 8, 2008 Israelis have begun celebrating their nation's diamond anniversary with fireworks and public cheer. The Jewish state was founded shortly after World War II and has known almost constant conflict as well as remarkable growth in the decades since. Many Palestinians, who refer to the country's founding as "the Catastrophe," are preparing to mark the occasion with something less than delight. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Three Different Takes on the Zimbabwean Presidential Battle

Staff / Truthdig Apr 19, 2008 Last month's election in Zimbabwe is yet to be resolved. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai believes he defeated President Robert Mugabe fairly, but a recount and a runoff may happen before the contest is finally decided. Meanwhile, opposition supporters say Mugabe's party is attacking them as he holds on to power. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Dalai Lama Threatens to Quit Over Tibet Crisis

Staff / Truthdig Mar 19, 2008 Even though certain inherently prohibitive logistics make it impossible for the Dalai Lama to resign from his position as Tibet's spiritual leader, that's what he's threatening to do insofar as he can if the tensions and violence in Tibet continue to escalate. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Serbian PM Dissolves Parliament

Staff / Truthdig Mar 9, 2008 Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica dissolved his country's parliament Saturday and said he would request new elections for May 11. The action followed a conflict between Kostunica and pro-Western President Boris Tadic on how Kosovo's independence affects Serbia's quest for membership in the European Union. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chinese Official: Björk ‘Hurt Chinese People’s Feelings’

Staff / Truthdig Mar 8, 2008 Pixieish provocateur Björk sparked the ire of Chinese officials by voicing her support for an independent Tibet at the close of her concert in Shanghai last Sunday. According to China's Culture Ministry, the Icelandic chanteuse broke "Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings" by chanting "Tibet, Tibet" at the end of her protest song "Declare Independence." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Russia Stands With Serbia

Staff / Truthdig Feb 26, 2008 Russia and the US are picking sides in the conflict over Kosovo's bid for independence from Serbia Washington's support of Kosovo led to last week's protest outside the U Embassy in Belgrade, and now Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who may well be next to lead Russia, has reaffirmed that his country will stand behind Serbia Medvedev commented Monday during a visit to Belgrade. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Kosovo Could Start a Trend

Staff / Truthdig Feb 23, 2008 The Mosaic Intelligence Report examines several statements from Palestinian officials and asks whether the Palestinians, with their own unique problems, are planning to follow Kosovo's example by making a unilateral declaration of independence. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Protesters Set Fire to U.S. Embassy in Belgrade

Staff / Truthdig Feb 22, 2008 A demonstration of about 150,000 people near the American Embassy in Belgrade turned riotous Thursday when protesters opposed to Kosovo's bid for independence from Serbia stormed the embassy and set fire to its façade. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

World Leaders Struggle With Kosovo Independence

Staff / Truthdig Feb 18, 2008 Kosovo's declaration of independence has prompted both condemnation and cheers from world leaders Whether in the UN Security Council or the European Union, global opinion is divided In particular, the declaration has served as a flashpoint for tension between the United States and Russia, an ugly reenactment of the kind of jockeying for influence that was supposed to have been buried with the Cold War. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

America’s Birthday Grab Bag

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Jul 6, 2007 Dig deeper

Springtime for Kurdistan

Parag Khanna / Truthdig Aug 30, 2006 The semiautonomous northern region of Iraq is an island of relative stability in an ocean of turmoil. If America does not support Kurdistan's independence, we may well lose our best shot of having a desperately needed secular ally in the region. New America Foundation fellow Parag Khanna, just back from the area, reports. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )