Thai Democracy – A Public Execution In Two Parts

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: September 19, 2016

For Thai democracy Winter isn’t coming – it’s already been here for ten years. The deep freeze of the Thai people’s most basic freedoms and liberties began not after the May 2014 coup which installed the present military regime but on September 19th 2006. It was on that warm Bangkok night ten years ago today […]

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An Affront to Rule of Law in Brazil

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: August 31, 2016

Today Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was impeached and removed from office. She did not face a court of law or a judge, but rather a trial before her peers in Congress, 60% of whom are facing formal criminal charges themselves. My view on the this flawed impeachment process and what it means for Brazil, was […]

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Turkey and Thailand: A Tale of Two Coups

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: August 30, 2016

There had been coups before in Turkey but none like that which transpired deep into the night of 15th July 2016. As the helicopter gunships and F16 fighter-bombers flew low over the rooftops of Ankara and Istanbul, and tanks and soldiers seized crucial areas, Turkey’s citizens – despite being fired upon by heavily-armed troops – […]

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Springtime for Putin?

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: August 12, 2016

My latest column in SPEAR’S takes a look at how the deepening isolationism in the West is proving to be very fruitful territory for Russia’s Vladimir Putin – but don’t mistake it for strategic success. Putin is largely a distraction from the more difficult questions of what forces have put us in the place we […]

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Thailand’s Exit From Democracy – A Fait Accompli Enforced Down A Gun Barrel

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: August 9, 2016

On Sunday 7th August 2016 ordinary Thais were forced, at gun point, to take part in the junta’s sordid “Constitution Referendum”. These hardworking and decent Thai people did so knowing that if they campaigned against the referendum they could be arrested, tried in a military court and thrown into one of Thailand’s horrific prisons for […]

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British Envoy Comments on Gülen’s Role in Coup Attempt

By Robert Amsterdam | Published: July 30, 2016

This weekend Hurriyet has published a very interesting interview with Richard Moore, the U.K. ambassador to Ankara, who comments on the recent attempted military coup against the elected government. Moore is emphatic that there was no intervention on behalf of the U.K. or United States, and also elaborates his opinion on Gülen’s involvement. You are […]

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