Portside

For China, the global war for influence is about trading partners. For the U.S., it could mean something more volatile. China recently softened its language toward the U.S., stressing peaceful co-existence.

Vietnam has had only 141 cases of COVID-19 as of March 23, and so far, no deaths. Despite its proximity to China, and fewer resources than countries like Singapore, the country seems to have kept the virus under control.

‘This Is About Making a Very Large Number of Indians Second-Class Citizens’ CounterSpin interview with Vijay Prashad about Indian demonstrations. This Citizenship Amendment Act is essentially the last straw, particularly for young people

Protests against the Citizenship Act are now ongoing in every part of India, with a cross-section of society outraged by the religious implications of this law. There are 200 million Muslim citizens of India — almost 15 percent of the population.

Reader Comments: Impeachment and Rule of Law; Sanders, Warren and Trolls; Biden and corruption; Chicago Teachers Strike; Turkey, Kurds, Syria; "Glass Floor"; Housing; Puerto Rico; Resource: Stopping Workplace Sexual Harassment; Announcements (lots)

Climate Fight in Every Continent! Also reports from Egypt * Spain * Indonesia * Venezuela * UK * Zimbabwe * Papua

The world has enough water for 7 billion people, but not if countries waste, hoard, or weaponize it. Ongoing tensions over Kashmir have transformed water into a national security issue for both India and Pakistan.

China’s ambitious infrastructure Belt and Road Initiative is about building knowledge and not just things. It has grown by leaps and bounds while America’s geopolitical vision has become increasingly isolationist, paranoid, and confrontational.

Opposing rallies in Venezuela, May Day in Europe, unions send a message to Spanish Socialist Party, reports from all over.

A trade war with China poses a serious threat to the US itself, which is bound to suffer severe losses due to trade diversion; and broader damage, as tit-for-tat tariffs reduce overall exports, undermine total global trade, and world economic growth.