Is it possible for a city’s government to host an international sporting event without sacrificing the social and political rights of its own citizens? 

In light of a new series of scandals surrounding the preparations for the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, the answer appears to be no.

For those civilians living on the fringes of society, the answer is a definitive no – not a chance. 

Drones may soon claim the life of one more Americans. Reports have surfaced that the Obama administration is debating whether or not to kill Abdullah al-Shami, a prominent al-Qaeda leader born in the United States and raised in the Middle East. After the death of Anwar al-Awlaki, Samer Khan and sixteen year old Abdurrahman al-Awlaki, all of whom were Americans killed by drone strikes, news of yet another American citizen in the crosshairs of our hellfire missiles has barely registered in the media. It’s hard to tell why this news has not prompted a public outcry.

Two years ago, prospects for peace between El Salvador’s gangs seemed good. In May 2012, MS-13 and MS-18 agreed to a peace pact brokered by religious leaders and the government. It represented something of a watershed moment in the country’s politics.