Ray McGovern

Ray McGovern works with Tell the Word, the publishing arm of the ecumenical Church of the Saviour in inner-city Washington. In the Sixties he served as an infantry/intelligence officer and then became a CIA analyst for the next 27 years. He is on the Steering Group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS).

‘Dear Friends’ Xi and Putin: Project Unity

In the official Chinese and Russian statements regarding Thursday’s meeting between Presidents XI Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Samarkand lies not a scintilla of evidence that China’s support for Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has weakened. In my view, if Putin decides to up the ante in Ukraine, XI would be likely to support him. Most … Continue reading “‘Dear Friends’ Xi and Putin: Project Unity”

Was Biden Unaware That Human Lemmings Freeze?

Did President Joe Biden’s economic advisers not warn him that the lemming leaders of NATO will not be able to protect their people from the winter cold? (Lemmings of the animal world are protected from the Arctic winter by their very thick fur, with no need to hibernate. Lock-step NATO unity on Ukraine is likely … Continue reading “Was Biden Unaware That Human Lemmings Freeze?”

Will China Mess With US Warships Headed for Taiwan Strait?

The US has thrown down the gauntlet. A showdown may come "in the coming weeks," if sanity does not prevail. White House and Pentagon spokesmen keep insisting, as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl did on Aug. 14: "What’s important for us right now is to make sure that Beijing understands that our … Continue reading “Will China Mess With US Warships Headed for Taiwan Strait?”

Pelosi-Taiwan: An Easy Way Out for Biden

Let’s begin with a syllogism: Major Premise: Biden Does Not Want War With China Minor Premise: He is Commander-in-Chief Conclusion: Biden can order a Navy carrier battlegroup to change direction In other words, a solution to the still up-in-the-air (so to speak) visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, amid Chinese threats of military … Continue reading “Pelosi-Taiwan: An Easy Way Out for Biden”

Ukraine-US-Russia: Dangers of Tit-for-Tat

In an unusual escalation of words depicting Russia’s broadened aims in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov today declared that Russia’s military "tasks" in Ukraine territorial objectives are no longer limited to the Donbass. Lavrov told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti things had "substantially changed" since the Russian-Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul failed four … Continue reading “Ukraine-US-Russia: Dangers of Tit-for-Tat”

Blinken Leading the Blind Into the Mideast Desert

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan embark on their next excellent adventure later this week with President Joe Biden – this time to the Middle East, with Israel the first stop. There is not the slightest pretense that the visitors will reproach their Israeli hosts on Israel’s Apartheid regime. Nor … Continue reading “Blinken Leading the Blind Into the Mideast Desert”

NATO Scribes vs. Russian Artillery and Rockets

Incongruity was the hallmark of the extraordinary NATO summit just concluded in Madrid. NATO offered bluster and promised muster: more troops against its "most significant and direct threat ," Russia. Meanwhile, Russian "cauldron"maneuvers in Donbas methodically destroyed or enveloped major units of Kyiv’s army, further strengthening Russia’s position there. Those of realistic and compassionate bent … Continue reading “NATO Scribes vs. Russian Artillery and Rockets”

Lithuanians Stick New Finger in Eye of Russian Bear

Lithuania is trying to create new "facts on the ground," hoping to provoke the kind of response from Russia that will determine tone and substance of the important NATO summit scheduled for June 28-30 in Madrid. Trouble Ahead On June 17 the Lithuanians announced they were banning the rail transit of goods through Lithuania to … Continue reading “Lithuanians Stick New Finger in Eye of Russian Bear”

Did Obama Know ‘Russian Hacking’ Was a Fraud?

FBI emails made public in connection with the recent trial of Michael Sussmann show that President Barack Obama was actively encouraging his top security officials to do a number on the Queen of Hearts’ "Sentence First; Verdict Afterwards" in order to help Mrs. Clinton win in 2016. For those, like me, who wondered how top … Continue reading “Did Obama Know ‘Russian Hacking’ Was a Fraud?”

55 Years Ago Israel Admitted To Killing 34 US Sailors, But ‘By Mistake’

The murder of journalist Shereen Abu Akleh on May 11, 2022 is, sadly, not the first time Israeli forces have killed American citizens and gotten away with it. The Israeli bulldozer that ran over – and then backed up over – 23 year-old Rachel Corrie to ensure her back was broken on March 16, 2003 … Continue reading “55 Years Ago Israel Admitted To Killing 34 US Sailors, But ‘By Mistake’”