When letter bombs mattered on November 5, 2018Letter bombs are not new instruments of terror and violence. In April and June 1919, about three dozen letter bombs were mailed to prominent Americans. Two people were killed and one injured. Yet, in the aftermath, the nation panicked. Then Attorney General A Mitchell Palmer ordered “raids” to apprehend the perpetrators, raids that would bear his name. Tens of thousands were detained under the … [Read more...] about When letter bombs mattered
Worse than a cold war with China on October 24, 2018If the tensions between the United States and China truly constituted a new ‘Cold War’ as many pundits are asserting, the US would be far better off. The US won the last Cold War. But in precipitating a confrontation with China, the US is starting a war it cannot win and could easily lose. The Cold War was an ideological and geostrategic clash between east and west. The Soviet Union was a … [Read more...] about Worse than a cold war with China
The MBS-Khashoggi defense: of course we did it on October 15, 2018Suppose incontrovertible evidence proved that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) ordered the detention, rendition and murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. The question is not only what America and others will do. A more interesting question is how will MBS react. Currently, he and the Saudis are fiercely denying any involvement with Khashoggi. If and when proof becomes … [Read more...] about The MBS-Khashoggi defense: of course we did it
Temperament and character: unintended consequences on October 10, 2018Judge Brett Kavanaugh is now, Supreme Court Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, confirmed 50-48 by a highly fractured and polarized Republican Senate. The ramifications and consequences of this confirmation will not be settled, possibly for years. How the mid-term elections will be affected by this spectacle will be determined only after November 6. And it is far from clear whether the allegations … [Read more...] about Temperament and character: unintended consequences
Temperament and character: can America lead? on October 3, 2018Temperament and character count. America was fixated last week on President Donald Trump's performance at the UN General Assembly's (UNGA) annual meeting in New York and the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee, Judge Brett Kavanaugh. In both cases, the president and the judge displayed temperament and character flaws that normally would be disqualifying for high office. But this is … [Read more...] about Temperament and character: can America lead?
The Kavanaugh hearings: a different danger on September 27, 2018Make no mistake: To be overly dramatic, the hearing to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court Associate Justice has metaphorically pulled the pin from what could be a political nuclear hand grenade. The damage could extend far beyond the future of this nominee and the confirmation process. Indeed, an inadvertent target could be the US Constitution itself and the ability of our government … [Read more...] about The Kavanaugh hearings: a different danger
Russo-Sino condominium? Not likely on September 21, 2018Bucharest, Romania: Russia, China and Mongolia have just completed Vostok 2018 (Vostok means East in Russian). Reportedly 300,000 troops and thousands of tanks, ships and aircraft took part. The exercise was designed to defend against a powerful enemy (NATO?) that had attacked or was preparing to attack these states. It will take some time before full analysis of the exercise is completed by our … [Read more...] about Russo-Sino condominium? Not likely
John McCain: sailor, straight talker and statesman on August 31, 2018John McCain was a sailor, a straight talker and a statesman. From the day he entered the US Naval Academy with the class of 1958, John’s character, courage and charisma were evident. Like all of us, John had his weaknesses. But he will be rightly remembered for his candour, his valour and heroism as well as his self-deprecating sense of humour, his cantankerism and a greatness that had few … [Read more...] about John McCain: sailor, straight talker and statesman
Reconciling Relations: Imran to Donald on August 25, 2018Now that Imran Khan has been sworn in as Pakistan's Prime Minister, dealing with the United States is among his many problems and priorities. The US-Pakistani relationship has descended from bad to worse. American funding has been suspended. And the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has threatened to block IMF money to Pakistan if Islamabad continues to move even closer towards China's orbit. … [Read more...] about Reconciling Relations: Imran to Donald
How much can a country endure? on August 15, 2018To paraphrase Karl Marx: a spectre is haunting America. It is not communism. Nor is it democratic socialism. Instead it is a failed and failing government. And this failure is the fault of ‘we the people’, who elect the leaders we deserve. Congress remains hopelessly deadlocked on the most important issues. Yes, Congress did pass tax cuts. Yes, the economy grew at a rate of about 4 percent last … [Read more...] about How much can a country endure?
