Biden’s Full Plate – Ukraine, Taiwan, Tehran

One day after warning Russian President Vladimir Putin he would face "severe" economic sanctions, "like ones he’s never seen," should Russia invade Ukraine, President Joe Biden assured Americans that sending U.S. combat troops to Ukraine is "not on the table." America is not going to fight Russia over Ukraine. "The idea that the United States … Continue reading “Biden’s Full Plate – Ukraine, Taiwan, Tehran”

Putin to Biden: Finlandize Ukraine, or We Will

Either the U.S. and NATO provide us with "legal guarantees" that Ukraine will never join NATO or become a base for weapons that can threaten Russia – or we will go in and guarantee it ourselves. This is the message Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending, backed by the 100,000 troops Russia has amassed on … Continue reading “Putin to Biden: Finlandize Ukraine, or We Will”

Playing With Fire on Russia’s Borders

Belarusian autocrat Alexander Lukashenko has cleared out the encampment at his border crossing into Poland, where thousands of Middle Eastern migrants had been living in squalor. Last week, that border crossing was the site of clashes between asylum-seekers trying to push through the razor wire and Polish troops resisting with water cannons. While the crisis … Continue reading “Playing With Fire on Russia’s Borders”

Are the US and China Stumbling Toward an ‘Islands War’?

In a diplomatic coup, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a deal last week with the U.K. and U.S. to have those Anglo-American allies help build a nuclear-powered submarine fleet for Australia. A $66 billion French deal to provide Canberra with diesel electric-powered submarines, among the largest defense contracts Paris had ever negotiated, was blown off. … Continue reading “Are the US and China Stumbling Toward an ‘Islands War’?”

Is Democracy Versus Autocracy the New Cold War?

"He may be an SOB, but he’s our SOB." So said President Franklin D. Roosevelt of Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza, and how very American. For, from its first days, America has colluded with autocrats when the national interest demanded it. George Washington danced a jig in 1778 when he learned that our diplomats had effected … Continue reading “Is Democracy Versus Autocracy the New Cold War?”

In Afghanistan, the Worst Is Yet To Come

Say what you will about President Joe Biden, he has stuck to his guns on ending America’s 20-year involvement in Afghanistan’s forever war. His decision not to delay our departure after Aug. 31 was fortified by hard intel that the terrorist ISIS-K was preparing attacks at Kabul airport. Thursday evening, the two bomb attacks occurred. … Continue reading “In Afghanistan, the Worst Is Yet To Come”

Who Lost America’s Longest War?

In April, President Joe Biden told the nation he would have all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack ever on the continental United States. Given the turn of events of the past week, that 20th anniversary may be celebrated by a triumphant Taliban, now on … Continue reading “Who Lost America’s Longest War?”

A Tonkin Gulf Incident in the Gulf of Oman?

A week ago, the MT Mercer Street, a Japanese-owned tanker managed by a U.K.-based company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, sailing in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Oman, was struck by drones. A British security guard and Romanian crew member were killed. Britain and the U.S. immediately blamed Iran, and the Israelis … Continue reading “A Tonkin Gulf Incident in the Gulf of Oman?”

For What Will We Go to War With China?

In his final state of the nation speech Monday, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte defended his refusal to confront China over Beijing’s seizure and fortification of his country’s islets in the South China Sea. "It will be a massacre if I go and fight a war now," said Duterte. "We are not yet a competent and … Continue reading “For What Will We Go to War With China?”

JFK: Accept Our Diverse World as It Is

Seven months after the Cuban missile crisis, President John F. Kennedy, at American University, laid out his view on how the East-West struggle should be conducted to avoid a catastrophic war that could destroy us both. Kennedy’s message to Moscow and his fellow Americans: "If (the United States and the Soviet Union) cannot end now … Continue reading “JFK: Accept Our Diverse World as It Is”