Category Archives: International Affairs

As 2020 Unravels, Grab a Book…

Posted on August 28, 2020 by

As this year unravels, as the stories of tragedy and mayhem stack themselves up one atop the other in the cementing pressure of misery which we will carry with us, oh probably forever, I was thinking about the last 15 … Continue reading →

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Stalin, the NYT and the Holodomor

Posted on July 25, 2020 by

Governments are not moral. Organizations of any kind are not moral entities. They exist as a group of like-minded people coming together to advance their vision. Perhaps it’s a company, seeking to provide a service, increase sales and lead to … Continue reading →

Posted in International Affairs, Movie Review, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Our Changing World

Posted on July 16, 2020 by

While my little boy plays water-guns, builds Lego sets, learns to type and do extra-math and watches Alvin and the Chipmunks, the world in which he will live is being formed — and in fast forward. So far, the attempts … Continue reading →

Posted in America, International Affairs, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Remember the Climate Apocalypse?

Posted on July 1, 2020 by

Remember climate apocalypse? The little girl lectures, scowling in hatred at the leaders of the free world because they refused to do what they were told? Those days almost seem quaint and comical in the mess that 2020 has become. … Continue reading →

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After COVID-19

Posted on June 13, 2020 by

Monumental moments in history often follow great conflagrations. Four-hundred years ago Europe, exhausted of her wars, and seeking to put an end to the 30 years war which was only the latest in the conflicts which had stretched back forever … Continue reading →

Posted in America, International Affairs, philosophy, Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

On #BlackLivesMatter

Posted on June 13, 2020 by

Apropos of #BlackLivesMatter, I first arrived in #Africa in 1999, beginning my work of ten years living on the continent trying to end four different civil wars. Two of the wars still rage, two have found a shaky peace – though the violence … Continue reading →

Posted in International Affairs, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Return of Pessimism

Posted on May 29, 2020 by

During the heady days of hubris which now seem so long ago but in reality were only a few months back, I was often accused of pessimism. The world, as I saw it, was not headed to a good place. … Continue reading →

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A Funny Anecdote…

Posted on March 11, 2020 by

About eight years ago, when I was a Fellow in Human Freedom at the George W. Bush Institute doing research, writing and speaking about the ongoing threats to democracy coming from Cuba and Venezuela’s “Bolivarian Alliance”, I was invited to … Continue reading →

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Stepping Stones in Time

Posted on February 29, 2020 by

Time marches on, leaving stepping stones to remind us of where we have been, show us where we might be going and reflect upon whether or not things turn out as we expected. This is the job of writers. Some … Continue reading →

Posted in America, International Affairs, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Humanity’s Apogee – And What’s Next

Posted on January 23, 2020 by

It’s a strange time we’re living in. By any accounts, humanity is enjoying its glorious apogee. Using any measure, we are at our best moment. Famine has been mostly ended (in 2016 we had an unprecedented four: Nigeria, Yemen, South … Continue reading →

Posted in America, International Affairs, Liberty, Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments