Originally appeared at TomDispatch. In September 2007, retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and historian William Astore emailed me out of the blue. He’d been reading articles at TomDispatch, the website I set up soon after the 9/11 attacks to deal with this country’s Global War on Terror, especially the invasions of, and then never-ending conflicts in … Continue reading “Ending Militarism in America”
No Quick End to the War in Ukraine
There is still reason for optimism that the Trump administration can bring the war in Ukraine to a diplomatic end. But insubstantial promises of a fast, smooth sailing solution have splintered against the solidity of reality. Campaign promises of a day became goals of a hundred. As the hundredth day appears on the horizon, Secretary … Continue reading “No Quick End to the War in Ukraine”
Liberation or Obliteration?
President Trump was elected in part because he promised to reduce prices and not drag the country into foreign wars. Sadly, President Trump has adopted a tariff policy that will raise prices and abandoned his “America First” foreign policy in favor of a return to Bush-era neoconservatism. Despite criticizing President Biden for bombing Yemen, President … Continue reading “Liberation or Obliteration?”
America’s New Lost Cause
Reprinted with permission from The Realist Review. They say that “History is written by the victors.” Fortunately, we know that that is not always true. History is written by those who can assert the most appealing narrative. Those who offer the most charismatic and beguiling story – even those defeated in battle – can emerge, … Continue reading “America’s New Lost Cause”
The Graver Israel’s Atrocities in Gaza, the Quieter the BBC Grows
The BBC’s news verification service, Verify, digitally reconstructed a residential tower block in Mandalay earlier this week to show how it had collapsed in a huge earthquake on March 28 in Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia largely cut off from the outside world. The broadcaster painstakingly pieced together damage to other parts of the … Continue reading “The Graver Israel’s Atrocities in Gaza, the Quieter the BBC Grows”
Why America Don’t Need No Stinkin’ ‘Allies’
OK, the title is a bit crude and is deliberately mocking in tone. But it has to be because there is a deeply-entrenched, almost sacred presumption embedded in the nation’s foreign policy catechism that “allies”, “alliances” and “coalitions of the willing” are the be-all-and-end-all of enlightened, necessary and effective foreign policy. American policy-makers and diplomats … Continue reading “Why America Don’t Need No Stinkin’ ‘Allies’”
Europe’s Misguided Interventions
Reprinted with permission from The Realist Review. At last week’s Paris meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’, Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron congratulated themselves on reinserting Europe into the peace process opened up by President Trump. In practice, they have done their best to derail it. Nothing is more foolish than their idea of … Continue reading “Europe’s Misguided Interventions”
New York Times Blockbuster Article Prepares Americans for Defeat in Ukraine
A March 29 article on America’s involvement in the war in Ukraine in The New York Times by Adam Entous “reveals that America was woven into the war far more intimately and broadly than previously understood.” “Understood” is a euphemism. It means the American and global public were lied to. The article reveals that the … Continue reading “New York Times Blockbuster Article Prepares Americans for Defeat in Ukraine”
NATO, More Militarism No Defense Against US Expansionists
Reprinted from Yves Engler’s website. If you believe Donald Trump might invade you should be calling for Canada to withdraw from NATO. The alliance won’t defend Canada, has enabled US interference and gobbles up resources. During a recent meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, US President Donald Trump questioned the border and Canadian sovereignty. … Continue reading “NATO, More Militarism No Defense Against US Expansionists”
Will China Seal Zelensky’s Fate?
Reprinted with permission from The Realist Review. Adam Entous’ “blockbuster” New York Times report confirmed what only a few of us reported only weeks into the war, that Washington has been a co-belligerent in the war in Ukraine in all but name. In a widely neglected article for the Asia Times on April 19, 2022, … Continue reading “Will China Seal Zelensky’s Fate?”