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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is often criticized for failing to produce a vision for the ‘next day’, meaning the day following the end of the Gaza war. Some of these criticisms emanate from Israel’s traditional western allies, who are wary of Netanyahu’s personal and political agendas, which are fixated on delaying his corruption trials … Continue reading “‘Wishful Thinking’ – Does Israel Have All the Cards in Gaza?”

U.S. officials routinely portray Ukraine as a democratic ally and the symbol of an existential fight between freedom and authoritarianism. That simplistic portrayal has intensified since Russia launched its large-scale attack in February 2022. The reality is that Ukraine is a corrupt authoritarian state similar to Russia. Not only does Volodymyr Zelensky’s government not respect … Continue reading “Ukraine’s Attacks on Freedom of Expression Continue”

The G7 recently made the headlines by agreeing to lend Ukraine $50bn which will be repaid using the yearly interest accrued on $329bn of confiscated Russian sovereign foreign exchange reserves. When it is finally structured, the loan will consist of a series of loans by G7 member countries, with the US topping up the fund … Continue reading “The Ticking Time Bomb of Ukrainian Debt (That the West Will Have To Pay)”

Five more were wounded.

It is with great sadness that I note the passing of actor Donald Sutherland. Many will eulogize his roles in M*A*S*H, The Hunger Games, and a variety of other famous movies. My memory of him is much more radical. When the US invasion and occupation of Viet Nam was raging, Donald Sutherland, the Canadian actor, toured … Continue reading “Mourning Donald Sutherland, The Antiwar Activist”

It is with great sadness that I note the passing of actor Donald Sutherland. Many will eulogize his roles in M*A*S*H, The Hunger Games, and a variety of other famous movies. My memory of him is much more radical. When the US invasion and occupation of Viet Nam was raging, Donald Sutherland, the Canadian actor, toured … Continue reading “Mourning Donald Sutherland, The Antiwar Activist”

On June 17, Russian naval vessels left Cuba without incident, concluding a five-day visit. The visit may have been without incident, but it wasn’t without meaning. Frustrated that their diplomatic messages were not being heard, Russia sent a louder message. But that message may not have simply been about projecting power as the West has … Continue reading “Why Putin Sent Russian Ships to Cuba”

Reprinted from Bracing Views with the author’s permission. Is it legal for a U.S. president to order American troops to take action that enables a genocide? I should think not. The president takes essentially the same oath of office as military members do. Its essential thrust is supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution. As the … Continue reading “Is Joe Biden Issuing Legal Orders to the US Military?”

As I write this, in the last 15 days, Israel has bombed a tent city and a UN school and has killed 276 Palestinian non-combatants in a mid-day raid to gain the release of four Israelis being held as hostages. Almost 400 people were killed in the three actions, with many hundreds more wounded. In … Continue reading “A Terribly Lopsided, Very Cruel War Continues”

“When someone shows you who they are,” Maya Angelou said, “believe them the first time.” That should apply to foreign-policy elites who show you who they are, time after time. Officials running the Pentagon and State Department have been in overdrive for more than 250 days in support of Israel’s ongoing slaughter of Palestinian civilians … Continue reading “When US Officials Show You Who They Are, Believe Them”