October 2014

by Kolesnik Dmitriy, Ukrainian web-journal Liva (liva.com.ua)
Turn-out
Ukrainian parliamentary elections, held on October 26, primarily showed the reality of the country’s split. The turnout was much lower than in all previous elections and the map of turnout shows the split and division of the country – the fact that is being constantly masked by Ukrainian nationalists and the authorities recently brought by them to power.
Facing the Kobani tragedy
by Wilhelm Langthaler
YPG Syrian Kurdish militia
Since September 16, 2014, ISIS is attacking the town of Kobani which has been serving as the capital of the de-facto autonomous region self-administered by Syrian Kurds. Although their fierce resistance does matter and got a political impact, eventually they are doomed to fail for ISIS is disposing over far superior equipment. Turkey is idly standing by as the PYD/YPG is being defeated while US air strikes only symbolically target ISIS around Kobani -- different to their claims.