Mark Twain once observed that we have “lies, damn lies, and then statistics.” Unfortunately, to understand the world, we are often forced to dance with that devil, and hope it explains what’s actually happening. A recent United Nations’ publication, “Economic and Financial Globalization: What the Numbers Say,” attempts to do that, but leaves out some relevant details.

Population Density and Demographics: The report offered some surprises here. Population is increasing rapidly in the largest countries, especially Pakistan. But Russia’s population has actually fallen in recent years. Generally, growth is much slower in industrialized nations than developing ones: Although the population of North America – 320 million in 1950 – is expected to reach 500 million by 2010, its share of the world total is projected to drop from 17 to 10 percent. read more

For at least two years, the need to better understand and oppose neo-liberal capitalism and the self-serving Bush administration has become increasingly urgent. Using tactics that are clearly alarming and potentially criminal, both appear devoted primarily to advancing corporate agendas and wealthy elites at the expense of the planet and most of its inhabitants.

Globalization and war not only have detrimental effects on human life. They are destroying the Earth’s life-support systems. In short, an economic model backed by military might has the potential to turn our world into one giant killing field. Sub-commandante Marcos, leader of the Mexican indigenous rebel Zapatistas, calls it "a war against humanity." In a communiqué to World Trade Organization (WTO) protesters in Cancun, Mexico this September, he explained, "The globalization of those who are above us is nothing more than a global machine that feeds on blood and defecates in dollars." read more

With the collapse of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) September summit, Cancun looks destined to join Waterloo, Stalingrad, and Seattle as a place name that becomes shorthand for an historic event. The second of the institution’s five summits to end in deadlock, this one will likely assume landmark status as the first time that the Global South (Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America) united to reject the economic aggression of wealthy Northern countries, specifically the United States, European Union (EU), and Japan. read more

The words and actions of the Bush administration have so often been labeled "Orwellian" that it’s become virtually a cliché. But one can’t resist adding to the list.

At a July 1 White House press briefing, a reporter asked spokesman Ari Fleischer: "The United States just declared about 50 countries, including Colombia and six prospective NATO members, ineligible for military aid because they won’t exempt Americans from the International Criminal Court. My question is, why is this priority more important than fighting the drug wars, integrating Eastern Europe?" read more

Ever since that statue of Saddam was pulled down in Baghdad, the chest thumping from Bush administration flak catchers and assorted talking heads has been deafening. They crow about defying skeptical military predictions and salivate at the prospect of turning the UN into a post-war doorman. According to R. James Woolsey, former CIA director and close friend of both Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and former Defense Policy Board honcho Richard Perle, the US has just won the first phase of “World War IV.” read more

It’s one of the twisted ironies of the war on drugs. While the US spends billions of dollars trying to interdict illegal drugs from abroad, the country’s banking system has been making it easy for drug lords to launder their profits. About half of the estimated trillion dollars in dirty money that comes in large part from drug trafficking – but also from criminal activities such as gambling, auto theft, and child prostitution – moves through the US financial system, according to government estimates. read more