Veterans’ Day, 2020: REPRISE–“Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?”
On November 11, 2020, we celebrate Veterans Day. Writing on November 16, after Joe Biden has won the 2020 Presidential election and as President Donald…
Barack Obama
REPRISE (2019) — Veterans’ Day, 2011: “Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?”
Originally published on November 11, 2011 My uncle died in a field in northern France with a German bullet in his head. To him, and…
Trump versus Obama — How the Democrats can lose the Mid-terms
When I saw Barack Obama on TV today, threatening to be active on the Democratic campaign trail for the Mid-term elections in November, I was…
Samantha Power on Syria: Former Obama officials still downplay the use of force
THE HARVARD GAZETTE, a publication of Harvard University, has recently published an interview with former U.N. Ambassador Samantha Power. In its introduction, the Gazette writes,…
REPRISE: Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
Originally Posted By: The Observer January 18, 2016 Today is Martin Luther King day in the United States, a national holiday. It is a good…
REPRISE: Syria: Russia’s military assault on Western civilization
First published on September 26, 2016 *** See Anne Barnard and Somni Sengupta, “Syria and Russia Appear Ready to Scorch Aleppo,” New York Times, September…
Russian intervention in U.S. elections is flagrant violation of international law principle of non-intervention, giving rise to right to adopt countermeasures including strong economic sanctions
Developing Russia has intervened directly in the 2016 presidential and congressional elections, in a manner according to U.S. intelligence sources aimed at throwing the election…
Putin calls Trump, is reassured, and resumes bombing in Syria
Developing See Christina Hebel und Christoph Sydow (Moskau und Berlin), “Putins Botschaft an Trump; Sie haben sich Zusammenarbeit zugesagt, doch während Donald Trump sich auf…
Europe’s shame: EU response to Russian war crimes in Aleppo and Syria
Developing The leaders of the EU have reached their decision on how to respond to Russian war crimes in Aleppo and northern Syria. They are…
Personal Takes: Russian war crimes in Syria, appeasement, and disgust
Developing PERSONAL TAKES Once in a while, The Observer reflects on his own personal involvement in world events. Today’s news triggered such a reflection. The…
Vice-Presidential debate: Pence pushes Kaine and Clinton on military action in Syria
Developing In VP Debate, Pence Reveals Thrust of Foreign Policy Attack Against Clinton During the Vice-Presidential debate between Tim Kaine and Mike Spence, Spence revealed…
Reasoning from conclusions: Blind hope as the basis for U.S. foreign policy in Syria
Developing See Karen DeYoung, “U.S. calls on Russia and Syria to ground all aircraft in northwest Syria,” Washington Post, September 21, 2016 (8:28 PM). Karen…
BREAKING NEWS — U.S. says very high likelihood Russia bombed humanitarian aid convoy in Syria
LATE BREAKING NEWS!!! Developing Eric Schmitt, Michael R. Gordon, and Somini Sengupta, “U.S. Officials Say Russia Probably Attacked U.N. Humanitarian Convoy,” New York Times, September…
“Working through the Russians” in Syria; Generals and Defense Department oppose Obama’s proposed military cooperation
For over four years, President Barack Obama has been pursuing a policy of “working through the Russians” in Syria. One might ask, “How has it…
Obama’s response to Philippine President Duterte calling him a “son of a whore”: He’s a colornful guy”
See also “Government by assassination: President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs in the Philippines, and the crumbling of civilization,” The Trenchant Observer, September 14, 2016….
The airplane stairway flap at G-20 meeting in Hangzhou, China: Did Obama lose face because of Chinese insults, or did Xi Jingping humiliate himself?
When he arrived in Hangzhou, China for the G-20 summit, the Chinese authorities did not roll out the usual stairway for arriving dignitaries, as they…
With Obama having checked out, U.S. foreign policy is on auto pilot—“Do nothing”
As we have pointed out, President Barack Obama has effectively checked out of his responsibilities to vigilantly promote and defend the foreign policy interests of…
Trump versus Clinton on foreign policy
(Developing) We have written of Hillary Clinton’s failures as Secretary of State. But to be fair to her, as has become increasingly clear, many of…
Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today is Martin Luther King day in the United States, a national holiday. It is a good moment to remember the man, his message, and…
Kerry to travel to Russia to see Putin
Developing John Kerry will travel to Russia next week to meet with Vladimir Putin. Topics to be discussed include Syria and the Ukraine. Kerry is…