On this day, 7 December 1975, Indonesia invaded East Timor, beginning 24 years of brutal occupation which would leave up to a fifth of the local population dead in a genocide which was made possible by support from the US.
East Timor gained independence following the Portuguese revolution of 1974. Neighbouring Indonesia, under the anti-communist dictator president Suharto, feared a left-wing government taking power and invaded.
The subsequent occupation resulted in the deaths of 200,000 people or more. The military equipment used in the genocide, including fighter jets, bombs, napalm and guns, was provided by the United States. When asked if US weapons were used in the genocide, one senior Indonesian general replied: “Of course there were US weapons used. These are the only weapons that we have.”
When Indonesian troops finally withdrew in 1999, they massacred over 1000 people and burned down 80% of buildings in the country.
Pictured: Suharto meeting with US President Richard Nixon, 1970
Learn more about the Portuguese revolution in our podcast episodes 41-42: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e41-42-the-portuguese-revolution/ https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/2154732701378535/?type=3
Watch Mars at opposition pass behind the moon this week online | Space
This week offers multiple opportunities to get a great look at the Red Planet.
On Wednesday (Dec. 7), the full moon will be in close proximity to a bright Mars during an event known as a lunar occultation. And on Thursday (Dec. 8), Mars will be at opposition, meaning that in Earth’s skies, it will be found directly opposite the sun. These events also happen to coincide with Mars being close to perigee (its closest point to Earth), which occurred on Nov. 30.
The perfect storm of astronomical events means that this is a wonderful week to watch Mars in the night sky, appearing larger and brighter than usual and making itself easy to spot next to a full Cold Moon. And even if you have cloudy skies or can’t make it outside, you’re still in luck: There are plenty of opportunities to see Mars at its best this week thanks to several free online livestreams. …
