Crimea annexes Russia

By Boris Kagarlitsky, Moscow, translated by Renfrey Clarke Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal
In perfectly rational fashion, the population of the peninsula reasoned that Russian rule, with all its shortcomings – which Crimean residents knew intimately – was nevertheless better than the chaos and collapse that were afflicting Ukraine.

Obama's Record Deportations an Effort to Appease Republicans?

Jacob Chamberlain Common Dreams
As the New York Times highlights, contrary to the administration's claims that its "Secure Communities" deportation program is focused on “criminals, gang bangers, people who are hurting the community," a stunning two-thirds of the two million deportation cases since Obama took office have in reality involved people who were guilty of only "minor infractions, including traffic violations, or had no criminal record at all."

Continental Drift: Europe’s Breakaways

Conn Hallinan Dispatches From the Edge
While the U.S. and its allies may rail against the recent referendum in the Crimea that broke the peninsula free of Ukraine, Scots will consider a very similar one on Sept. 18, and Catalans would very much like to do the same. So would residents of South Tyrol, and Flemish speakers in northern Belgium.

Workers on the Edge

David Bensman The American Prospect
It is a common myth that the shift to precarious, irregular employment reflects either the structure of the new, digital economy or the preferences of workers themselves. But in reality, most contingent work is the result of efforts by employers to undermine wages, job protections and worker bargaining power.

Rwanda's Women Make Strides 20 Years After the Genocide

Alexandra Topping The Guardian
A majority parliamentary presence, constitutional support, a drive to tackle gender-based violence – post-genocide Rwanda seems a good place to be a woman. But the reality is more complex.