Feature Archives

2006 was marked by increased opposition to US imperialism, as well as increased divisions and violence. Racist cartoons in Europe sparked protest across the Middle East. The US occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq lead to increased levels of violence in both countries. Violence increased in the West Bank and Gaza and Israel killed over a thousand people in bombing raids on neighboring Lebanon. In the Americas, left-leaning leaders won many elections. In Mexico charges that the PAN stole the national elections lead to mass protests. A teachers strike in Oaxaca was attacked by police and protesters took over the city in response. Among those killed in the crackdown was an Indymedia videographer. Elsewhere, an uprising in Nepal almost overthrew the king, genocide in Darfur continued and there was increased violence in Sri Lanka, the Phillipines, Somalia and Nigeria.

Los Pueblos Zapatistas have organized their first Encounter with the Pueblos of the World, for December 30th through January 2nd in Oventik, Liberated Territory (Chiapas), Mexico. The EZLN. has welcomed thousands of visitors with workshops & meetings designed, to "speak on the experiences we have had these past years with our autonomous governments.... It is time to organize ourselves and to see how together, we will confront this evil that is Neoliberalism and which attacks humanity."

On December 30th, 2006, former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging. Saudi Arabia criticised Iraq's Shi'ite leaders for executing former Iraqi leader during the Eid al-Adha religious feast. Human Rights Watch came out against the execution stating that the execution "following a deeply flawed trial for crimes against humanity marks a significant step away from respect for human rights and the rule of law in Iraq"

Before the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saddam Hussein was a US ally against Iran. In the 1980s, the Reagan administration covertly provided critical battle planning assistance to Hussein at a time when American intelligence knew that Iraqi commanders would employ chemical weapons in waging the decisive battles of the Iran-Iraq war.

On December 28th, 2006, Ethiopian troops backing Somalia's transitional government forced militias loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts to abandon their stronghold in the Somali capital Mogadishu. The Bush administration has openly backed the mainly Christian Ethiopian military and has opposed the Islamic courts based on alleged al Qaeda links.

On December 26th, up to 500 people died after an oil pipeline exploded in Lagos, Nigeria . It is feared the final death toll could be much higher. The explosion comes at a time when tension has been rising -- especially in the Niger Delta -- over who controls the region's vast natural resources. Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer and the United States' 5th largest oil supplier.

On December 23rd, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani rejected a US backed plan for a new coalition in the Iraqi parliament that would have allied the Shiite Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq with the Sunni Arab Iraqi Islamic Party and the Kurdistan Alliance. The plan aimed at isolating the 32 Sadrist members of parliament and depriving them of the ability to bring down the prime minister.

On December 25th, British troops raided the headquarters of an Iraqi police unit in Basra, claiming they heard that the unit was infiltrated by Shiite militiamen and planning to kill their prisoners. Basra City Council withdrew co-operation from UK forces in southern Iraq to protest the raid. The US military has also conducted raids against the Badr Corps militia of the Shiite Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, in the course of which it arrested four Iranian officials. It had to let two of them go when it transpired that they were diplomats invited into Iraq by President Jalal Talabani, a close US ally.

On December 22nd, 400 Brazilian-led UN occupation troops in armored vehicles carried out an assault on the people of Cite Soleil, laying siege to the impoverished community. Eyewitness reports said a wave of indiscriminate gunfire from heavy weapons began about 5 a.m. and continued for much of the day Friday. Initial press accounts reported at least 40 casualties, all civilians. UN troops from Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Bolivia took part in the all-day siege, backed by Haitian police. According to community testimony, UN forces flew overhead in helicopters and fired down into houses while other troops attacked from the ground with Armored Personnel Carriers.