democracy
Civil War II Between Red States and Blue States: The Fighting Has Already Begun
Civil War II America is marching into Civil War II – eyes wide shut. Indeed, few seem to care. I have written many commentaries in this regard. And the titles alone seemed alarming enough – as these three attest: “Civil War II Looms Larger as Texas Suppresses Voting Rights and Bans Abortions” on September 2, 2021. “Jan 6,… Read more.
Henry Kissinger, the Iago of Geopolitics, Leaves the World Stage
Kissinger, authoritarian whisperer of realpolitik Henry Kissinger was a titan of 20th-century geopolitics. But his legacy is as complex as it is controversial. Many hailed him as a master strategist. I railed against him as a cunning narcissist. He courted praise for dispensing sage chess-like geopolitical advice. Yet, I can fairly distill his diplomatic treatise… Read more.
Polls Show Biden and Trump in a Dead Heat. Don’t Be Like Ginsburg, Biden. Retire Now!
I was in the vanguard of those calling for President Biden to announce he will not seek reelection. Yes, I cited prevailing concerns about his age. He’s 80. But I also noted back then that, among other things, he promised he’d serve only one term – as a transitional president; he risked the backlash that befell… Read more.
Coup in Gabon: America Is Partly to Blame
Another week, another coup Military coups in Africa are far more regular than presidential elections in America. Africa has had 486 attempted coups since 1950 (214 successful), whereas America has had only 59 elections (and 1 attempted coup). So, waking up this morning to breaking news of a coup in Gabon was hardly surprising. Military officers in Gabon said they… Read more.
Tuberville’s Hold on Military Promotions Undermines the Military and Promotes Racism
Tuberville’s hold on military promotions Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is getting his 15 minutes of fame. He’s getting it for making Congress even more partisan and dysfunctional than usual. But that’s the point. Tuberville is holding up promotions for over 250 military officers. The Pentagon subsidizes out-of-state travel for reproductive healthcare, including abortion. He’s protesting that policy. And he… Read more.
South Africa Is Sending Arms to Russia – Because China Ordered It To
South Africa is sending arms to Russia because the world is at war. For now, Ukraine is the battlefield. And, for now, Russians and Ukrainians are the combatants. But countries are taking sides. They are siding with Ukraine and the forces of democracy, or with Russia and the forces of autocracy. Some countries are hedging… Read more.
The British Monarchy and American Democracy
This episode was originally published on November 7, 2020. For more of my podcast episodes, visit Talking iPINIONS Podcast Listen.
Israel Should Support Ukraine – If Only to Help Itself
President Biden declared the war in Ukraine a clash between democracies and autocracies. Sure enough, democratic countries are supporting Ukraine. Autocratic countries are supporting Russia. Israel is a Democratic country. It follows that Israel should be supporting Ukraine. Yet it stands out among the few democratic countries that are not doing so. But a quid pro quo between… Read more.
Clarion Call for Westerners to Join Fight in Ukraine
Given the universal values at stake, I am dismayed that more Westerners have not joined the fight in Ukraine. I am reminded of the way writers Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, and Pablo Neruda led the brigade of those who not only sounded that clarion call, but rushed themselves to join the fight for democratic freedom… Read more.