The looming war between the Bani Saud

Saudi Arabia – a mother of terrorism

The bid of Bin Salman of the ruling family of Saudi Arabia, prime customer of Canadian-produced armaments, to consolidate power in his own hands | ZAFAR BANGASH*

There are clear signs of deep divisions among the members of Bani Saud that point to serious trouble in the days ahead. Largely the result of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman’s grab for unlimited (unaccountable) power and the disastrous policies he has pursued unilaterally, there is great unease among other members of the ruling family that may explode into open warfare.

While the demented King Salman appears largely oblivious to what is going on around him, his son, the arrogant and erratic Bin Salman (BS) continues to make policy blunders that other family members fear would spell doom for the clan. Former Crown Prince and Interior Minister Muhammad bin Nayif was unceremoniously dismissed from both posts last June and is now reported to be under house arrest. The move was engineered by Bin Salman to pave the way for his own accession to the throne.

Advertisements

Bombardier’s attempt to enter US market: Boeing uses US state to crush its competitor

Since this article was published a week ago, the US Commerce Dept. has levied additional tariffs on Bombardier at the behest of Boeing, now amounting to some 300 per cent on a sale of the C Series of aircraft to Delta Air Lines Inc. Yesterday, Bombardier announced that Airbus SE, a European Union monopoly and the main rival to Boeing, has assumed 50.1 majority ownership of the C Series airliner, without putting up a dime, in a deal that lasts only seven years. Jetliners ordered for the US market will be assembled in Mobile, Alabama to circumvent the tariffs. The C Series was originally intended to end the duopoly in the narrow-body jet market between Airbus’s A320 family and Boeing’s 737.

Catalans defy Spanish state violence to take part in referendum

Long lineup outside a polling station.

Attempts by the Spanish government to outlaw Catalonia’s October 1 referendum on independence, including state violence, were militantly defied by the Catalans so they could exercise their right to decide the future of Catalonia. The anti-democratic suppression of Catalans by the Spanish government has been widely denounced, with rallies in support of Catalans’ right to decide taking place across Spain and Europe.

Puerto Rico continues its struggle for independence

Even in the midst of the difficult conditions in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, Edwin González, representative of the Puerto Rican Mission to Havana, stressed that his country’s struggle for decolonization continues to be a priority for all those committed to social emancipation | Nuria Barbosa León

ICAP President Fernando González Llort speaking during the event in support of the decolonization of Puerto Rico in Havana | Karoly Emerson (ICAP)

(Sept. 28) – Even in the midst of the difficult conditions in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, Edwin González, representative of the Puerto Rican Mission to Havana, stressed that his country’s struggle for decolonization continues to be a priority for all those committed to social emancipation. 

October 1 vote on Catalan independence: Spain steps up attempts to suppress Catalan referendum

Catalans confront riot squads from the Spanish national police sent in to stop the referendum, October 1, 2017.

Spanish national police have sealed off 1,300 of 2,315 schools in Catalonia designated as polling stations for the October 1 independence referendum, declared illegal by Spain’s Constitutional Court. Police have also occupied the Catalan government’s telecommunications centre. Thousands of national police officers are currently stationed on board two cruise ships docked in Barcelona’s port, to disrupt any voting, “and ultimately to guarantee Spanish sovereignty over Catalonia,” a BBC correspondent wrote. Restrictions have also been introduced on commercial light aircraft and helicopters flying over Barcelona over the weekend “to prevent activists trailing banners,” local media reported.