Tradition has it that partisan politics and opposition stays in the US and the government speaks with one voice in international arenas on foreign policy. There have been many exceptions to this, and the 2026 Munich Security Conference is a major one. From my perspective, I was so pleased to see American opposition to the … Continue reading Very Effective Opposition to US Foreign Policy in Munich
democracy
Glory to Ukraine: The US Must Step Up
Ukraine Needs the US to Step Up It is blindingly obvious that the Ukraine-Russia negotiations are rigged against Ukraine. Russia has more cards to play in the negotiations: Donald Trump admires President Putin and resents President Zelenskyy; Trump has business deals in Russia; Trump is jealous of the sophistication of leaders of the NATO and … Continue reading Glory to Ukraine: The US Must Step Up
David versus Two Goliaths – and Winning
A photo of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin standing together at the Alaska ‘Summit’ in August 2025 is displayed in the Palm Room of Trump’s White House. It speaks volumes of Trump’s inexplicable admiration of Putin along with other autocrats and dictators, and what Volodymyr Zelenskyy is up against in negotiating with Russia while the … Continue reading David versus Two Goliaths – and Winning
Focus on Ukraine
In the aftermath of excellent speeches at the WEF by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, I see some clarity in thinking and moving forward. Policymakers can’t keep being deflected by repeated volleys of one-day crises, with their twists and turns, such as with Donald Trump feeding of the news media … Continue reading Focus on Ukraine
Is Trump Fit for Office?
Reports from the Economist, BBC World Service, and Aljazeera, concerning US President Donald J. Trump, note that: “In the message that was confirmed on Monday as being delivered to Norwegian leader Jonas Gahr Store, Trump wrote that “considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, … Continue reading Is Trump Fit for Office?
Truth Political: : The Minneapolis ICE Shooting
Protests over the actions of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) following the death of Renee Nicole Good have been extensive across the US, from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, an unarmed mother of three, who had just dropped a child off at school, by Jonathan Ross, a 43-year-old ICE … Continue reading Truth Political: : The Minneapolis ICE Shooting
Removal of Maduro from Venezuela
The Removal of Maduro: Implications for a Rules Based Order? Will America’s abduction of Nicolás Maduro undermine or potentially reinforce international rules? Breaking a rule focuses attention on the rule and the rule breaker. In everyday life and governance, when individuals or even nations break a rule, it does not necessarily change the rule. To … Continue reading Removal of Maduro from Venezuela
Democracy Lost
Democracy Lost: Can America Recover from 2025? The USA appears to be racing – not sleep-walking – into an un-American future. Since the 2024 election, the current Trump administration has treated the nation’s universities, sciences, medical research, foreign humanitarian aid, human rights, the Democratic Party, and even democracy, as among its enemies. Advances in education, … Continue reading Democracy Lost
Stand with the BBC
As an American living in the UK and a strong supporter of the BBC, let me simply urge the BBC not to be intimidated by anyone or allow criticism of mistakes it made to undermine your morale and visionary mission. You are the gold standard of broadcast news – not just public service broadcasting. Your … Continue reading Stand with the BBC
Kamala’s 107 Days
Kamala’s 107 Days: The 2024 US Presidential Election I enjoyed reading 107 Days by Kamala Harris.[1] Her nearly day by day recounting of the 2024 presidential election is a solid and useful aid-memoir for anyone who might wish to reflect on the dynamics of the election and its outcome. I could imagine it being an … Continue reading Kamala’s 107 Days