Farewell to NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been an alliance without a purpose for thirty years, and every few years it latches on to the latest big security issue to justify its continued existence. In the 1990s, Balkan interventionism and peacekeeping filled the void left by the demise of the Soviet Union and collapse of … Continue reading “Farewell to NATO”

Another NATO Summit, Another Endless Subsidy for Europe

President Joe Biden is visiting Europe, spreading hugs and kisses to lovelorn European officials traumatized by Donald Trump’s oft-expressed disdain. Fearful that the good times of American security guarantees might end, Europeans contemplated a world in which they might have to do their own heavy lifting when it came their defense. Oh, the horror, the … Continue reading “Another NATO Summit, Another Endless Subsidy for Europe”

All Is Hype for the Biden-Putin Summit

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce. Karl Marx’s comment came to mind as President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought to equate their tête-à-tête at the G7 confab in Cornwall, England, to the Atlantic Charter conference of 80 years ago. Those were historic days, to which these days cannot compare. … Continue reading “All Is Hype for the Biden-Putin Summit”

Killing with Kindness: Somalia Sets a Precedent for US ‘Humanitarian’ Interventions

A development that set an extremely unfortunate foreign policy precedent took place during the waning weeks of George H.W. Bush’s administration when the United States commenced a "humanitarian" military intervention in Somalia. Although that effort ostensibly operated under the auspices of the United Nations, Washington was firmly in command. The multi-sided conflict in Somalia among … Continue reading “Killing with Kindness: Somalia Sets a Precedent for US ‘Humanitarian’ Interventions”

New Israeli Government, Same Israeli Apartheid

After 12 years, Israel finally inaugurated a new prime minister. While being hailed by many as the opportunity for a fresh start, Naftali Bennett is at best a continuer of Netanyahu’s policies and at worst an ideologue whose positions are to the right of Netanyahu’s. In 2013, as Middle East peace talks were set to … Continue reading “New Israeli Government, Same Israeli Apartheid”

Joe Biden and Latin American Question Marks

The Trump years were not good years for Latin America. There were coups in Brazil, Bolivia and Venezuela. There were some signs that things may change under the Biden administration. But recent moves have pointed those signs back in the old direction. Ecuador After early indications from an unsettled and still confused new administration that … Continue reading “Joe Biden and Latin American Question Marks”

Where Have You Gone Daniel Ellsberg? Nowhere. – 50 Years of Courage in an Era of Apathy

He hasn’t gone anywhere, actually. He’s been here all along – poking small holes of decency in sick system, for five-plus decades. At 90, Dan Ellsberg is with us still, and still calling bullshit on a government that couldn’t act right if it tried, to a citizenry that couldn’t care less. Most of it, anyway; … Continue reading “Where Have You Gone Daniel Ellsberg? Nowhere. – 50 Years of Courage in an Era of Apathy”

Five Decades After the Pentagon Papers: Presidential Lies and Foolish Forecasts

Fifty years ago the Pentagon Papers exploded politically in a nation weary of the Vietnam War. Daniel Ellsberg worked on a Defense Department study about Washington’s involvement in Vietnam. He was so appalled with the findings that he leaked the document to the New York Times. The embarrassed Nixon administration sought to block publication. Attorney … Continue reading “Five Decades After the Pentagon Papers: Presidential Lies and Foolish Forecasts”