politics

Created
Fri, 02/08/2024 - 04:56
The Roman emperor Nero was a horrible, horrible man, as Donald Trump might put it. His murderous reign of terror has certainly earned him a place in the history books, but the only thing most people believe about him is certainly false: that he played the fiddle while Rome burned. He may have strummed his Continue reading »
Created
Thu, 01/08/2024 - 16:40
As an independent media, Pearls and Irritations is only supported by the generous donations and monthly subscriptions from our readers. Can you help? Pearls and Irritations has recently celebrated a milestone of more than 20,000 posts. An independent media, we are only supported by the generous donations and monthly subscriptions from our readers. This year, Continue reading »
Created
Fri, 02/08/2024 - 04:51
Kerry Brown is Professor of Chinese Studies and Director of the Lau China Institute at King’s College, London.  He recently spoke about his important new book, “The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400 Year Contest for Power” (Yale University Press, 2024) with Richard Cullen. A fundamental reality, which this stimulating book stresses, is how Continue reading »
Created
Fri, 02/08/2024 - 04:54
This is what a genocide looks like. The impact of the Israeli missile was so powerful it flung Sidra out of the building she was in, leaving her mutilated body dangling from the ruins of the destroyed building with her also-killed mother’s arm still attached to her. Rafah, Gaza 14.2.2024. جثامين الأطفال عالقة بين الأنقاض Continue reading »
Created
Fri, 02/08/2024 - 04:57
“Tectonic shifts are underway in global politics, economy, and other spheres of international relations. A fairer multipolar world order is being born.” Opening words of the SCO 2024 declaration, Astana, Kazakhstan. “A fairer multipolar world order is being born”. Eight words that sum up what is being created at pace and yet is being largely Continue reading »
Created
Fri, 02/08/2024 - 04:58
From Ismail Haniyeh to Imad Mughniyeh, Israel’s policy of assassinations is a great example of winning the battle but losing the war, writes Emad Moussa. Israel’s double assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s political leader, in Tehran, and Fuad Shukr, a senior military figure in Hezbollah, in Beirut, on July 31 has sent shockwaves around the world. A Continue reading »