I have tried to assemble my work here for convenience and reference. Contact me with questions or thoughts.
Political Commentary
I work as a political commentator and analyst. Most of my work relates to social movements and foreign policy issues in Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa though I also write on Canada and the United States.
Polyculturalism and the Good Society Jul 15, 2009
Eelam War IV May 17, 2009
The Financial and Real Economy Oct 15, 2008
Bolivia's Elites Seek a Media Coup Sep 15, 2008
The Left in India zmag.org Aug 7, 2008
Ecology & Climate Change zmag.org Apr 5, 2008 (audio)
Global Warming Suspicions and Confusions zmag.org May 11, 2007
To Mitch Potter: On Disgusting Racism zmag.org Feb 13, 2007
Race, Culture, and Leftists zmag.org May 21, 2006
Stop the Deadly Rumours zmag.org Feb 21, 2006
Refugees and Citizens zmag.org Sept 5, 2005
People of Color Talk zmag.org June 29, 2005
Unnecessary Concessions zmag.org Nov 18, 2004
The Atrocity Experiment zmag.org Nov 8, 2004
The Morning After zmag.org Nov 3,2004
Getting Beyond Hypocrisy on Humanitarian Intervention zmag.org September 29, 2004
National Sovereignty zmag.org September 5, 2004
Third World Models for the Bush Regime zmag.org January 24, 2004
Letter to a Zionist zmag.org November 20, 2003
Bolivia Backgrounder zmag.org October 17, 2003
To a Social Democratic Youth zmag.org August 18, 2003
The March on CNN zmag.org March 9, 2003
Another Modest Proposal on Iraq zmag.org February 21, 2003
Instead of War zmag.org February 16, 2003
Resolution 1441 zmag.org November 12, 2002
10/7 zmag.org October 7, 2002
South Asia Stiffed zmag.org September 26, 2002
Nation States? zmag.org June 14, 2002
Letter to South Asians outlookindia.com June 3, 2002
What are the Rules? zmag.org January 20, 2002
Consumption, Complicity, and SUVs zmag.org December 29, 2001
No Negotiations? outlookindia.com October 31, 2001
Common Pro-War Arguments outlookindia.com October 8, 2001
Loincloths, Ski Masks, and Social Movements zmag.org August 27, 2001
A few moves ahead zmag.org May 25, 2001
Strict Discipline Key to Debt Recovery op-ed, University of Toronto Student Newspaper (The Varsity) January 26, 1998
Canada Commentary
I am engaged in political issues in Canada, where I live. Here is some of my writing on the topic.
Uribe in Ottawa zmag.org Jun 13, 2009
Canada-Colombia FTA zmag.org Jun 4, 2009
Annotated Ignatieff on IAW Mar 9, 2009
Adil Charkaoui Case zmag.org Mar 1, 2009
Turn off Canadian Media zmag.org Jan 9, 2009
Canadian Politics Dec 2, 2008
Canadian Election zmag.org Oct 7, 2008
Canada's Political Prisoners zmag.org Mar 31, 2008
Defend the Border zmag.org Jan 6, 2008
Shawn Brant zmag.org Sept 19, 2007
The Harper-Uribe Handshake zmag.org July 22, 2007
Abandoning Hypocrisy zmag.org Sept 26, 2006
The Caledonia Residents Rallies zmag.org May 23, 2006
Six Nations Does Not Stand Alone zmag.org May 23, 2006
Wrong Direction, Canada zmag.org Jan 24, 2006
Canada in Afghanistan (with Kolhatkar) briarpatch December, 2005
War Profiteering and Us zmag.org Jan 23, 2005
Bush in Canada zmag.org Nov 18, 2004
Canadian Foreign Policy dominionpaper.ca July 21, 2004
Kanehsatake zmag.org May 19, 2004
After the Common Sense Revolution zmag.org October 16, 2003
The Ontario Quandary rabble.ca June 17, 2003
Canada, the US, and Health Care zmag.org June 3, 2003
Canadian Media and the Iraq War zmag.org April 14, 2003
Canadian Premiers and the Iraq War zmag.org March 31, 2003
The Pope Squat zmag.org August 7, 2002
Israel/Palestine Commentary
Israel/Palestine is a very difficult issue for any journalist to tackle. There is a great deal written about it from a wide variety of perspectives. A great deal of what is written is racist, some of what is written is anti-semitic, and a great deal even of the writing that does not fall into either one of those traps misrepresents the conflict, its roots, and possibilities and prospects for a solution. As in the rest of my work, I try to provide facts, to let voices from the place speak for themselves.
Not a ceasefire zmag.org Jan 18, 2009
This kind of war zmag.org Jan 6, 2009
Palestine's 9/11 zmag.org Dec 30, 2008
Exchange on Academic Boycott zmag.org Dec 10, 2007
The Academic Boycott Debate zmag.org Nov 28, 2007
N. and the Memory Wall zmag.org Aug 12, 2006
Summer Rains zmag.org June 29, 2006
Accidental Protection zmag.org Aug 1, 2005
On the Anniversary of Rachel Corrie's Murder zmag.org March 15, 2004
Another Turn of the Spiral zmag.org January 15, 2004
Road Map Theatrics zmag.org August 12, 2003
Murdering Solidarity zmag.org May 10, 2003
Israel/Palestine Ironies zmag.org January 24, 2003
Anti-semitism and Anti-colonialism zmag.org January 5, 2003
Can Americans understand suicide bombers? zmag.org December 13, 2002
Cut through the lies zmag.org April 4, 2002
Colombia Commentary
Colombia is a classic example of Invisible Struggles. While many readers know about Colombia's civil war and its problems with narcotraffickers, paramilitaries, and insurgency and counterinsurgency, few know about the country's remarkable and powerful social movements. I have tried to present their voices in my writing and translation on the topic.
Colombia's magic laptops zmag.org Mar 7, 2009
Colombia & Lies Aug 30, 2008
Colombia Extraditions & the ICC zmag.org Aug 22, 2008
Ingrid Betancourt Released zmag.org Jul 4, 2008
Assassination of Raul Reyes zmag.org Mar 3, 2008
Venezuela & Colombian hostages zmag.org Jan 24, 2008
The May 15 Mobilizations in Colombia zmag.org May 17, 2006
Colombian Government Counteroffensive zmag.org May 20, 2005
People Power in Colombia? zmag.org April 23, 2005
Colombia in 2004 zmag.org Jan 1, 2005
The Disappeared Mayor counterpunch.org August 30, 2004
Pardoning the Paramilitaries in Colombia zmag.org December 23, 2003
Colombia's Referendum zmag.org October 27, 2003
When Terrorists Talk of Human Rights counterpunch.org September 20, 2003
Uribe's Onslaught counterpunch.org July 2, 2003
How would drug legalization in the United States affect Colombia? colombiajournal.org March 17, 2003
The Other Kind of Violence zmag.org March 2, 2003
The Uribe Administration's negotiation with itself zmag.org November 27, 2002
Welcome to the Nightmare zmag.org August 14, 2002
The Uribe Model zmag.org May 30, 2002
Social Movements in the Americas zmag.org May 29, 2002
Colombian Women Fight Fear rabble.ca May 7, 2002
The War Foretold zmag.org April 5, 2002
Snapshot of Colombia zmag.org January 29, 2002
We Mean Dead or Dead zmag.org October 30, 2001
Invisible Struggles in Colombia zmag.org April 27, 2001
Venezuela Commentary
When the Venezuelan coup occurred in April 2002, I -- like many others -- became aware that we had failed to pay attention to a very worthy process that deserved both attention and solidarity. I have tried to fill that void since, and today there are many journalists who are very interested in Venezuela.
Venezuela's Constitutional Reform Fails (For Now) zmag.org Dec 4, 2007
Colombia and Venezuela: Clash of Two Models venezuelanalysis.com August 6, 2004
Colombia's Border Brigade and the Venezuelan Referendum venezuelanalysis.com June 20, 2004
Terrorist Plot Foiled! venezuelanalysis.com May 12, 2004
The Chavez Government's Economic Policies venezuelanalysis.com January 22, 2004
Two Venezuelan Mayors zmag.org August 3, 2003
What is the Colombian Army doing attacking Venezuela? zmag.org April 3, 2003
Venezuela's 'National Strike' zmag.org December 10, 2002
The Venezuelan Coup zmag.org April 16, 2002
Chiapas Commentary
I began writing and translating on the conflict in Chiapas and the Zapatista movement around 2000. I have followed it since then, and although the Zapatistas are most eloquent representatives of their own movement and have plenty of followers who translate into English (the indefatigable irlandesa being the most obvious example) they frequently raise points that are well worth repeating.
Ten Years on in Chiapas zmag.org January 2, 2004
From Aguascalientes to Caracoles zmag.org September 13, 2003
The Government's Mask Comes Off in Chiapas zmag.org September 6, 2002
Vicente Fox and Globalization zmag.org October 9, 2001
Mexico's 'Modern Right' zmag.org June 11, 2001
Onward to Mexico City zmag.org February 28, 2001
Vicente Fox and the Zapatistas zmag.org December 12, 2000
Field Reporting
I have spent some time since 2000 in Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa doing reporting on social movements and political conflicts (usually both).
Kigali's Boom zmag.org Jul 6, 2009
Scarcity & Plunder zmag.org Jun 30, 2009
From Bukavu zmag.org Jun 29, 2009
Empires don't create rivals zmag.org Aug 3, 2008
What am I doing in Islamabad? zmag.org Jul 17, 2008
Opium-fueled insurgency zmag.org Jul 14, 2008
Pakistan's Insurgency zmag.org Jul 9, 2008
Consolidating a Coup Frontline India November 5-18, 2005
Two Faced in Haiti zmag.org October 1, 2005
The Elections Game is On zmag.org September 26, 2005
The Polls of Bel Air zmag.org September 23, 2005
From the Embassy to the Prison zmag.org September 21, 2005
The Venezuelan Referendum Ends zmag.org August 16, 2004
The Calm Before the ? zmag.org August 15, 2004
Florentino,the Devil, and the Opposition zmag.org August 14, 2004
In Caracas zmag.org August 13, 2004
The Nasa of Northern Cauca en-camino.org May 2004
Beyond Disillusionment in Argentina Frontline India March 1-14, 2004
West Bank/Gaza Photo Essay zmag.org August 3, 2002
Gaza zmag.org July 1, 2002
The West Bank/Gaza Prisons zmag.org June 26, 2002
They Can Walk With Their Heads Up: Justin Podur and Cynthia Peters interview Joao Pedro Stedile" Dollars and Sense January 2002
A Way Out for Colombia Z Magazine October 2001
Elections in Chiapaszmag.org August 23, 2000
Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike in Comitan zmag.org July 18, 2000
Interviews
A major part of my work involves interviewing representatives of movements and insightful analysts whose work would otherwise not reach english-language reading audiences - usually because those interviewed are too busy to write or don't write in English.
RAWA Interview zmag.org Aug 14, 2008
Pakistan in the Region zmag.org May 18, 2007
The Para-Scandal and the Bush Visit zmag.org March 10, 2007
A State of all its Citizens zmag.org Feb 27, 2007
Views of the Other Colombia zmag.org Nov 4, 2006
Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights zmag.org Sept 17, 2006
Free Software as a Social Movement zmag.org Dec 18, 2005
The Great War for Civilization rabble.ca December 5, 2005
Palestinians in Israel's Prisons zmag.org May 19, 2005
Mechanisms of Denial zmag.org Feb 20, 2005
Venezuela's Revolutionary University venezuelanalysis.com September 22, 2004
Venezuelan Community Television venezuelanalysis.com September 13, 2004
Stateless and Deported zmag.org June 6, 2004
Drawing the Class Line zmag.org May 3, 2004
Palestinians struggle against deportation rabble.ca July 16, 2003
Process and Strike zmag.org January 19, 2003
Slow Class Warfare zmag.org January 12, 2003
Fighting the Deportations rabble.ca December 18, 2002
Solidarity with Palestinians zmag.org October 28, 2002
The Palestinian Olive Harvest zmag.org October 16, 2002
Handmade in Colombia rabble.ca September 20, 2002
Interviewed by Stephen Shalom on Colombia zmag.org March 22, 2002
News Briefs
The NewStandard was an experiment in online news with a point of view. They adhered to strict journalistic standards, but report on stories and frame them with a radical and activist perspective. I did a small amount of work for them that isn't archived any longer - I will try to find the pieces and link them.
Questions Arise Over Causes of Yellow Fever Outbreak in Colombia newstandardnews.net January 30, 2004
Unions Block Nigerian Oil Privatization Plan newstandardnews.net December 30, 2003
UN Expands Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia newstandardnews.net December 26, 2003
Colombian Paramilitaries Invade Venezuela newstandardnews.net December 17, 2003
Book Reviews
You can only learn so much from articles. Sometimes you just have to read a book or two. When I read books that are particularly insightful, useful, or original, I try to call attention to them. I have also reviewed books in my areas of expertise.
Toronto Palestine Film Festival 2008 Nov 8, 2008
Chasing a Mirage zmag.org Jun 22, 2008
Damming the Flood zmag.org Jun 14, 2008
Through the lens of the Shock Doctrine zmag.org Oct 21, 2007
The Things We Do For Oil zmag.org January 8, 2007
After Socialism? zmag.org December 17, 2006
A Dishonest Case for a Coup zmag.org February 16, 2006
Kofi Annan's Haiti zmag.org February 10, 2006
Aristide the Film zmag.org December 13, 2005
The Forgotten Conflicts in Sudan zmag.org March 14, 2004
The Congo Conflict zmag.org March 5, 2004
Palestinian Child Prisoners zmag.org February 11, 2004
A Multifaceted Fraud: Irshad Manji's 'Trouble With Islam' zmag.org December 5, 2003
Inside Colombia Book Review, Z Magazine September 2003
Dead Heat Book Review, Z Magazine April 2003
Israel/Palestine and Globalization zmag.org March 23, 2003
All You Can Eat/Fat Cats and Running Dogs Double Book Review Z Magazine January 2003
Rules for Radicals zmag.org October 20, 2001
Instructionals
ZNet has created a series of online courses that are much more substantial than articles. These are intended to help people go into a subject more deeply and give them a framework for understanding issues. I have contributed two such Instructionals.
Institutional Racism zmag.org 2002
Statistics and Logic for the People zmag.org 2000
Print Magazine Articles
My work has primarily been online, though I am happy to get into print whenever I can, of course. I publish on the same topics and issues in magazines that I write about online, and much of what gets printed also eventually ends up online as well.
Profile of Denis Mukwege (Forthcoming)
The Mumbai Attacks Jan 2009
Pakistan's Unending Crisis Radical Philosophy Nov/Dec 2008
Canada in Afghanistan (with Kolhatkar) briarpatch December, 2005
Consolidating a Coup Frontline India November 5-18, 2005
"The Venezuelan Referendum" Z Magazine October 2004
"The Rise and Fall of Counterspin Z Magazine July/August 2004
Justice for Palestine: Justin Podur and Stephen Shalom interview Noam Chomsky" Z Magazine May 2004
"The Battle for Colombia" Frontline India April 10-23, 2004
"Venezuela in Two Winds" New Politics Summer 2003
"Participatory Economics: An Interview with Michael Albert" New Politics Summer 2003
Elections in Pakistan: Justin Podur interviews Zia Mian" Z Magazine February 2003
What Happened in Jenin? Z Magazine September 2002
Occupation and Resistance: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Frontline India August 17-30 2002
"Hatred vs. Humanity in Gujarat" New Politics Summer 2002
The Coup in Venezuela Z Magazine May 2002
Differing Agendas on Kashmir Z Magazine March 1, 2002
Non-Reformist Reparations for Africa Z Magazine February 2002
A Long March in Mexico (with Vijay Prashad) Frontline India March 31-April 13, 2001
Translations
I started journalistic work as a translator and started writing only later. In a sense, I view all writing as translation: trying to present voices that would otherwise go unheard. The lion's share of my translation work in recent years has been for the exemplary Colombian economist Hector Mondragon, who lives underground in Colombia, on paramilitary hit lists.
Colombia's Recession Hector Mondragon May 3, 2009
Colombia's Rural Statute Hector Mondragon March 25, 2009
US-Colombia FTA Hector Mondragon zmag.org October 5, 2008
My Choice - Hector Mondragon zmag.org September 10, 2008
Uribe's Pyramids - Hector Mondragon zmag.org February 15, 2008
Colombian Fascism - Hector Mondragon zmag.org April 16, 2007
Democracy and Plan Colombia - Hector Mondragon zmag.org January 14, 2007
Apartheidland to AUC-Land - Hector Mondragon zmag.org September 16, 2006
Freedom for Mother Earth! - Hector Mondragon zmag.org January 9, 2006
Records at the Exchange - Hector Mondragon zmag.org July 27, 2005
Contrasts - Hector Mondragon zmag.org April 19, 2005
Tobirio Attacked - Hector Mondragon zmag.org April 19, 2005
A Quick Visit - Hector Mondragon zmag.org November 25, 2004
Colombia Prophesies - Hector Mondragon zmag.org June 8, 2004
The March of the Orcs - Hector Mondragon zmag.org March 30, 2004
Colombia's Para/Military - Francisco Garavito zmag.org May 3, 2004
Colombia Today - Hector Mondragon zmag.org March 5 2004
Yellow Fever - Hector Mondragon zmag.org January 29 2004
Uribe in Wonderland - Hector Mondragon zmag.org July 30 2003
Colombia and Venezuela Hector Mondragon zmag.org
Industrialists, Godfathers, Hangmen - Hector Mondragon zmag.org June 7, 2003
A Miraculous Catch - German Castro Caycedo zmag.org May 8, 2003
South American Israel - Hector Mondragon zmag.org April 23, 2003
Bubble and Fleet - Hector Mondragon zmag.org March 10, 2003
Lungosand Senoritos - Hector Mondragon zmag.org Jan 2, 2003
Struggle Against Uribe - Hector Mondragon zmag.org Sept 22, 2002
Economics of Counterterror - Hector Mondragon zmag.org Sept 2002
Colombia and Venezuela - Hector Mondragon zmag.org April 2002
Colombian Elections - Hector Mondragon zmag.org March 2002
The Theatre of Good and Evil -Eduardo Galeano zmag.org September 21, 2001
Towards a 'Humanitarian Intervention'? - Hector Mondragon zmag.org July 2001
Letter to President Vicente Fox - Subcomandante Marcoszmag.org December 2, 2000
Plan Colombia: Gasoline on the Fire- Hector Mondragon zmag.org 2000