The island nation of Sri Lanka is swept by a relentless wave of people’s anger. Faced with the most severe economic crisis since its independence, Sri Lanka is witnessing a complete shortage of all essential commodities. Long queues for essential items have become the everyday reality for people in Sri Lanka, so has the mass mobilization by the people against those responsible for the current crisis.

The result of the May 8 presidential elections in the Philippines was an unimaginable tragedy for many who survived the decade long brutal dictatorship regime of Ferdinand Marcos (Marcos Sr). Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr or simply known as Marcos Jr, son of Marcos Sr managed to win the elections by securing nearly 30 million votes in his favor. He received backing from the outgoing authoritarian regime of Rodrigo Duterte through his daughter Sara Duterte who has been elected as the vice president.

The recent presidential elections in France witnessing the+7 re-election of Emmanuel Macron of La République En Marche (Republic Forward) defeating far-right Marine Le Pen of the National Rally. Macron received 58.6% of the votes while Le Pen grabbed 41.4% votes during the second round of the elections held on April 24.

Liberation talked to Nicolas Jaoul, a researcher based in France regarding the presidential elections and its implications.

An ASEAN Defense Senior Officials' Meeting (ADSOM) took place on May 17 at the Cambodian Defense Ministry in Phnom Penh, to pave the way for the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) in Phnom Penh next month which the Myanmar junta Defence Minister is also expected to attend in person. The meeting, attended by Myanmar junta representative Zaw Zaw Soe discussed and decided in principle on the request for ASEAN-India Maritime Exercises to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-India ties.

Former US President George Bush, speaking at an event at the George W Bush Presidential Center that examined the future of American elections, made a Freudian slip of the tongue. He said, “[The] decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq… I mean, of Ukraine.” What followed this gaffe, however, was even more significant.

The ouster of Imran Khan in Pakistan has once again plunged the country into political crisis that threatens to further aggravate its economic woes. Thousands of Pakistanis have taken to the streets both inside Pakistan and across the world to oppose the deposition of Imran Khan and demanding fresh elections. The finger of accusation is directly towards the Pakistani establishment, especially towards the Army.

In our earlier commentaries and statements, we have covered some of the recent background to Putin’s imperialist invasion of Ukraine. We have considered the post-Cold War geopolitics of the region. We have criticised the Modi government’s refusal to clearly condemn the invasion, as well as to effectively plan the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine, and noted the affinity between the far-right expansionist visions of Putin and of Hindu supremacists.

Protests have erupted in Sri Lanka as country reels under severe economic crisis as prices of essential commodities and fuel are reaching sky high. The country is witnessing long queues at fuel stations and grocery shops, with the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government announcing deploying military at the fuel stations.  According to reports more than three elderly people have dropped dead at fuel queues.

When the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, the US which had occupied the country for two decades froze 7 billion dollars worth of Afghan assets. Unable to access foreign assets, the Afghan banking system collapsed. On 11 February the Biden administration unfroze the accounts – but instead of allowing Afghan banks to access the assets, it has diverted 50 percent of the assets to compensate American victims of the 9/11 bombing, and placed the rest in a US-controlled “trust” which they claim is for the Afghan people!

On January 19, the Israeli occupation forces forcefully evicted two Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrahm in the East Jerusalem neigbourhood and demolished their homes. The demolition and expulsion follows days of protests by the affected Salhiyeh family household. According to reports Israeli forces broke into their home in the night and assaulted family members. Six of the family members were arrested, including the head of the household, Mahmoud Salhiyeh.