Starting from the bottom: a tale of the informal economy and inequality

By Namira Samir Of the five administrative cities of the Special Capital Region (DKI Jakarta), East Jakarta has the second-highest number of people living below the poverty line, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics. My minibus trip to East Jakarta has taught me about poverty and inequality more than books and lectures have ever done. … Continue reading Starting from the bottom: a tale of the informal economy and inequality

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Afghanistan takes center stage in the New Great Game

Moscow hosted talks last week to promote peace in Afghanistan as neighbors and regional heavyweights eye the rewards of stability in the long-troubled land By Pepe Escobar In the “graveyard of empires,” Afghanistan never ceases to deliver geopolitical and historical twists. Last week in Moscow, another crucial chapter in this epic story was written when Russia pledged … Continue reading Afghanistan takes center stage in the New Great Game

Erdogan, MBS, Islamic leadership and the price of silence

The House of Saud's ties to the Khashoggi slaying are being milked by the Turkish President for maximum benefit amid debate on leadership of the Islamic world and how the crisis may affect US and Saudi strategy in the Middle East By Pepe Escobar It was packaged as a stark, graphic message, echoing across Eurasia: … Continue reading Erdogan, MBS, Islamic leadership and the price of silence

Thailand the missing link in China’s Maritime Silk Road

In a policy shift, Thai PM Prayut Chan-ocha says state agencies will study the construction of a long-envisioned ocean-linking canal China craves for economic and security reasons By Benjamin Zawacki After demurring for years, Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha last week ordered national planning and security agencies to look into building a possible canal … Continue reading Thailand the missing link in China’s Maritime Silk Road

Yellow Vests: No Coincidence Macron, Merkel and May are in Dire Straits

Ekaterina Blinova10240 The 'yellow vest' upheaval has exposed longstanding problems in France's economy, Christine Bierre, French journalist and chief editor of Nouvelle Solidarité, has told Sputnik, adding that to heal these wounds, the French need to get rid of Brussels' diktat and take back control of their financial system. The 'yellow vests' protests are continuing … Continue reading Yellow Vests: No Coincidence Macron, Merkel and May are in Dire Straits