FUTURE: For the first time in its long history, humanity is – possibly inevitably – facing an increasing and real risk of extinction due to the reckless activities of Homo sapiens. The effects of greed, violence, ignorance, fanaticism, political short-sightedness, overpopulation and over-exploitation of all available resources are the prerequisites for an expected disaster.
COMMENT: What should we say to the children, in the minutes before the nuclear explosions, when they cry and ask: "couldn't you do something... couldn't you talk to each other?"
INTELLECTUAL: Belarusian and Ukrainian intellectuals have applied postcolonial theory to Russia since the 1990s – but have been largely ignored in the West. MODERN TIMES presents here the voices from the "border countries".
UKRAINE: Everyone is affected by the war in Ukraine: both family finances and official budgets, aid cuts, military rearmament, global energy policy, nuclear policy and, not least, bloc politics, and it also creates increased tension around the globe. So where is the overview, or a deeper understanding? Researcher Cecilie Hellestveit has her new book Bad news from the Eastern Front unfortunately carried out a serious 'cherry-picking' of sources and arguments where she conveniently develops backwards what confirms the generally acceptable.
NEO-FASCISM: Do many still have fascist longings today, or can one always blame seductive leaders? A closer dive into the 100-year-old Italian fascism and its descendants says something about the dangers we are now likely to face.
UKRAINE: Rødt's former deputy, in this longer essay, looks at the significance of International Law, not only Russia's so-called "unprovoked" violations of it, but also the West's many violations of International Law. Here follows a, seen from MODERN TIMES, timely criticism of both SV, Rødt, the left side, the media and the ongoing warmongering.
Hell: Is it possible to simultaneously touch on four major themes, such as sin and evil, the desire for knowledge and conquest, relationships and competition, or the fear of death itself? Let me try in this essay – about Thomas Hylland Eriksen and Dante.
In this summer issue, as MODERN TIMES's editor, I publish a selection of articles that probably reflect different opinions than most people have about the war in Ukraine.
UKRAINE: It may seem as if the West, like Icarus in its youthful hubris, has flown too close to the sun. The principle of self-determination of sovereign states cannot be at the expense of the security of other states.
USA / RUSSIA: It was a sad day for the world, but Russia's shocking military action should not stop us from looking at the United States' role in the situation that has arisen.
CHRONICLE: The American bases are a huge power factor that enables the US military hegemony in the world. Our geographical location should indicate a less provocative approach.