W.J. Astore How about a contrary perspective on the Middle East, courtesy of my old globe? It dates from the early 1920s, just after World War I but before Russia became the Soviet Union. Taking a close look at the Middle East (a geographic term that I use loosely), you’ll notice more than a few…
W.J. Astore My wife and I watched the president’s speech last night. Overall, it was a solid, even praiseworthy, performance. First, we had to get past the NBC pre-speech fear-mongering. Lester Holt and Chuck Todd, the NBC commentators, were talking about how afraid Americans were, hinting that we all feared our holiday parties would be…
Jacek Popiel (Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of Jacek’s examination of U.S. and Russian relations. Parts 1 and 2 are here and here.) Russia’s rejection of Marxism has given her and the U.S. three options in their mutual relations: Return to a friendly coexistence such as existed before 1917. Continue playing Cold War…
Peter Van Buren. Introduction by b. traven. Introduction (updated): In this article Peter Van Buren ( wemeantwell.com) graphically lays out the physical and philosophical ties between Saudi Arabia, a backward, medieval nation-state and the newly proclaimed medieval “caliphate” of ISIS. There is method to Peter’s “Saudi versus ISIS” approach. By showing how closely they are related –…
W.J. Astore In his latest introduction at TomDispatch.com, Tom Engelhardt reveals a remarkable double standard — perhaps craziness is a better term — in the U.S. approach to terrorism in the wake of the Paris attacks. Prominent “conservative” leaders are calling for a major U.S. military invasion of territory controlled by ISIS, even though they…
Jacek Popiel Today we introduce a new feature: an original article by Jacek Popiel on U.S./Soviet relations, followed by a counterpoint by the editors, and then a coda by Jacek. The goal is to stimulate discussion among our readers. We’d like to thank Jacek for agreeing to this format, and our readers for contributing to…
W.J. Astore Greg Grandin has a new book on Henry Kissinger and a new article at TomDispatch.com. Kissinger, writes Grandin, had an affinity (or perhaps an avidity) for power, especially air power, as a way of demonstrating his (and America’s) resolve. Notes Grandin: Henry Kissinger is, of course, not singularly responsible for the evolution of…
W.J. Astore I recently received an update from the National Priorities Project reminding me of this startling fact: “The president announced last week that American troops will remain in Afghanistan beyond the planned withdrawal at the end of 2016. This is a devastating blow. We’ve already spent $716 billion and counting on the war in…
Jacek Popiel Editor’s Introduction: Russia has been much in the news lately, with Vladimir Putin described as equal parts Machiavellian dictator and strategic chess master, especially with regards to his moves in Syria and the greater Middle East. Is the Cold War, in a word, back? Enmity between the U.S. and Russia is hardly…
W.J. Astore I read the news today, oh boy. President Obama has decided to keep thousands of U.S. troops in Afghanistan until 2017, effectively kicking the war to the next president. According to the New York Times, “The Obama administration sees the choice to slow down the United States’ Afghan exit as the best of…
The Contrary Perspective 