VIJAY PRASHAD looks at the web of militias and drug-trafficking gangs that emerged in the Sweida region through the Syrian civil war, and how they relate to recent clashes and Israel’s intervention
The Guardian must change its treacherous course on Assange
Of all the mainstream media, it is the institution priding itself on its liberal values and progressive heritage that has carried the worst betrayal against the whistleblower of the century. It must listen to our protests now — before it is too late, writes CHRIS WILLIAMSON

IT’S 10 years since the publication of the Iraq war logs that dramatically exposed US war crimes.
It is against this background that the abject failure of the mainstream media in general, and the Guardian in particular, to expose the lies being peddled about Julian Assange should be judged.
The Morning Star is literally the only daily newspaper to which the public can turn for accurate reportage on this and many other crucially important issues of the day.
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