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The vortex of intrigue and international politics swirling around the murder of Nepal’s King Birendra – a deed supposedly committed by his own son – and the slaughter of practically the entire royal family threatens to engulf the Himalayan kingdom, and unhinge the delicate balance of power in South Asia. The official story is that … Continue reading “CHAOS IN KATMANDU”

The memoirs of ex-Communists – from the embittered fulminations of Benjamin Gitlow (an early defector from the Left) to the tale of espionage and angst told by Whittaker Chambers in his famous book, Witness – constitute a literary subgenre, one that, with the implosion of Communism, has just about played itself out. It is a … Continue reading “RED DIAPER BABY”

Why is the Japanese media out to get Makiko Tanaka? Ever since she took office, Japan’s “Iron Lady,” the blunt-talking daughter of a former prime minister, has been the target of leaks from within her own Foreign Ministry, and vicious attacks in the Japanese media. The apparent reason is that she has alienated the lifetime … Continue reading “GO, MAKIKO, GO!”

The Bush administration is putting out all sorts of statements that are presumably supposed to be reassuring. I just wonder who is supposed to be reassured by some of these statements. For example, in domestic affairs, the Bushies want to reassure us that they are firmly committed to leaving no child behind and the evidence … Continue reading “Reassuring Nobody?”

This past March, Robert Cassidy – the chief negotiator in bilateral talks with Long Yu Tu, China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, over China’s entry into the World Trade Organization – made a promotional tour of Chinese universities and business organizations pitching the wonders of trade liberalization. Cassidy no doubt expected a standing ovation sprinkled … Continue reading “CHINA ON THE ROAD TO CAPITALISM”

When I read the Washington Post story on John McCain’s mad scheme to bolt the GOP and form a “centrist” third party, my first thought was: I’ve got Nostradamus beat. This, of course, is the typically self-referential mindset of any writer – just so you’ll know that we can’t help ourselves. At any rate, waaaay … Continue reading “McCAIN’S MUTINY”

When I read the Washington Post story on John McCain’s mad scheme to bolt the GOP and form a “centrist” third party, my first thought was: I’ve got Nostradamus beat. This, of course, is the typically self-referential mindset of any writer – just so you’ll know that we can’t help ourselves. At any rate, waaaay … Continue reading “McCAIN’S MUTINY”

A note from Justin Raimondo: Since I’m suffering from heat prostration today (it’s currently 101 degrees here in San Francisco!) and since I didn’t take Memorial Day off, I’m taking a break today. But here’s a past column that I know you’ll find interesting. It was my last “Wartime Diary” column, a daily series that … Continue reading “MY FELLOW AMERICANS”

The bombs may have stopped falling on Belgrade, but America’s war against the former Yugoslavia continues unabated. If anyone was ever in any doubt that the Clintonian policy would be extended under President George W. Bush – as I warned it would be – then all uncertainty was ended on May 24, when Bush sent … Continue reading “Bush vs. Kostunica”

The best news relating to the Balkans is that there seems to be something of a split within the Bush administration over "peacekeeping" missions like the NATO deployment in Bosnia and other Balkan countries. The worst news is that at this point the most vocal, mediagenic and forceful figures in the administration seem to be … Continue reading “Multiplying Balkan Confusion”