Chee Meng Tan, University of Nottingham and Chi Zhang, University of St Andrews The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, paid a visit to Pyongyang this week and signed a defence pact with reclusive North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as he looks for new allies who can help him increase Russia’s supply of munitions for the war in Ukraine. As part of this mutual aid deal, … [Read more...] about Kim Jung Un and Vladimir Putin during their high profile meeting in North Korea in June 2024. AP/Alamy Kim-Putin deal: why this is a coded message aimed at China and how it worries Beijing
The Coming War in Lebanon
By: David Anderson, J.D. Columnist Asymmetries and Moral Challenges A few decades ago I flew to Beirut because my mentor was dying there, to see the old chap off. As my professor he'd taught me Middle East politics at our university in Australia over a decade earlier and he'd encouraged me to apply for a scholarship to study graduate level Middle East politics at … [Read more...] about The Coming War in Lebanon
Commandments For Hypocrites (Cartoon, Column and Video)
I think Republicans should treat religion in the Trump era the same way they treat government spending when a Republican is president. Ignore it. Republicans love to accuse Democrats of being socialist spenders and giving away free money. They blame our deficit on Democrats and cry that our children will be the ones paying it off. But the fact is, Republicans spend more … [Read more...] about Commandments For Hypocrites (Cartoon, Column and Video)
IT’S THE SUPREME COURT, STUPID
Well, hallelujah! At long last, Democrats are poised to highlight our highest court as a top-tier campaign issue. The opposition camp has been doing this for decades – to devastating effect, as you may have noticed – so it’s nice that the Dems are finally waking up. It’s a tad late, of course, but better late than never. President Biden made the wake-up call at a … [Read more...] about IT’S THE SUPREME COURT, STUPID
The Gaza ‘Trident Pier’: A Nobel Project Plagued by Setbacks (UPDATE)
UPDATE: There have been reports in the media that DoD may end operation of the Gaza pier earlier than originally expected. After the pier was once again re-anchored to Gaza yesterday and humanitarian aid deliveries resumed, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder assured the media that DoD will not be ending the mission anytime soon. "While it's always … [Read more...] about The Gaza ‘Trident Pier’: A Nobel Project Plagued by Setbacks (UPDATE)
Modi remains India’s strongman and a partner for Biden, despite large electoral setbacks.
By giving him a mitigated electoral mandate, Indian voters have dealt Prime Minister Narendra Modi a lucky break although many within the country and outside see it as a rebuke to his leadership and his party, the BJP. Now that the elections dust is settling, he can finally in his 70s win more freedom from his life-long mentor the RSS, an activist group dedicated to … [Read more...] about Modi remains India’s strongman and a partner for Biden, despite large electoral setbacks.
In costly Virginia race for U.S. House, MAGA candidate leads by only 322 votes (0.5%)
Updated: 21 June The Republican primary contest between incumbent U.S. Rep. Bob Good (VA, 5th District) and state Sen. John McGuire has moved through its second day of inconclusive results, which suggests Virginia Republicans are split on the topic of MAGA. That's because former President Donald Trump endorsed McGuire over "[o]ne of America’s most conservative … [Read more...] about In costly Virginia race for U.S. House, MAGA candidate leads by only 322 votes (0.5%)
John Oliver brought devastating wit to Project 2025 on Sunday. Why must we rely on comedians to highlight the stakes in November?
On this week’s ‘Last Week Tonight,’ John Oliver dissected the Christian nationalist framework, Project 2025. About 100 ultra-right organizations developed this detailed (900+ pages) roadmap for a second Trump term. “If you’re thinking: ‘OK, Trump’s making big, scary promises, but he did that in 2016 too and he broke a lot of them,’ that is true,” said Oliver on Sunday … [Read more...] about John Oliver brought devastating wit to Project 2025 on Sunday. Why must we rely on comedians to highlight the stakes in November?
Roger Stone readies a judge, lawyers and technology to contest 2024 election
America's most (in)famous dirty trickster is apparently at it again. Donald Trump and former Nixon jihadist Roger Stone is reportedly planning to be more ready this time to jump into action to contest the 2024 Presidential Election. This time he says he'll have a judge on stand by, lawyers and technology to spring into action. Is this a surprise? Not really. Many have … [Read more...] about Roger Stone readies a judge, lawyers and technology to contest 2024 election
Medal of Honor Tuesday: The Heroes of Iwo Jima
While (re-)reading James Bradley’s Flags of our Fathers a few days ago, a certain paragraph jumped out at me. Referring to the epic World War II Battle for Iwo Jima, Bradley writes: It was America’s most heroic battle. More medals for valor were awarded for action on Iwo Jima than in any other battle in the history of the United States…in just one month of fighting on … [Read more...] about Medal of Honor Tuesday: The Heroes of Iwo Jima
Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world
Editors note: Project 2025 is the blueprint for a second Trump term as President. Who developed it? The Heritage Foundation along with about 100 other ultra-conservative organizations. In April 2022, conservative American think tank the Heritage Foundation, working with a broad coalition of 50 conservative organisations, launched Project 2025: a plan for the next … [Read more...] about Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world
HUNTER BIDEN WAS FOUND GUILTY. GUESS WHAT DIDN’T HAPPEN?
Hunter Biden, the president’s son, was found guilty of illegally buying a gun while using narcotics. While he stood trial, you may have noticed the quietude outside the federal courthouse and on the information highway. No demagogic puppets from Capitol Hill showed up to attack the rule of law or slime the judge and jury. No whining from the defendant about how very … [Read more...] about HUNTER BIDEN WAS FOUND GUILTY. GUESS WHAT DIDN’T HAPPEN?
Americans used to unite over tragic events – and now are divided by them
Charles McMillan, a witness to George Floyd’s murder, speaks at the site where Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Thomas D. Beamish, University of California, Davis Tragedy seldom unifies Americans today. Every year, horrific crises induce tremendous suffering. Most are privately tragic, … [Read more...] about Americans used to unite over tragic events – and now are divided by them
BOTH THE SAME (CARTOON)
Supreme Court unanimously concludes that anti-abortion groups have no standing to challenge access to mifepristone – but the drug likely faces more court challenges
Supreme Court unanimously concludes that anti-abortion groups have no standing to challenge access to mifepristone – but the drug likely faces more court challenges Activists on both sides of the abortion battle are gearing up for it to be a major issue in the 2024 election. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images … [Read more...] about Supreme Court unanimously concludes that anti-abortion groups have no standing to challenge access to mifepristone – but the drug likely faces more court challenges
Nicholas Kristof criticizes Oregon and California for homelessness; do I see a grudge for 2022 ballot ineligiblity?
After living on the east coast for about 40 years, most of that time in metro-New York City, New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof moved back to Oregon during the pandemic. He returned in his 60s to run for governor in 2022, but he didn't meet the residency requirement [1]. In Sunday's NYT, he lectured west coast Democrats on their failings. I moved to the Washington … [Read more...] about Nicholas Kristof criticizes Oregon and California for homelessness; do I see a grudge for 2022 ballot ineligiblity?
Sometimes, pictures are worth 1,000 words
The Biden-Harris campaign spoofed the Donald J. Trump birthday bash Friday. If you need crib notes for the "not invited" guests: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) detailed how she killed a puppy in her memoir. The best animation of Trump's "shark speech" (which you should see, if you've not done so) … [Read more...] about Sometimes, pictures are worth 1,000 words
Southwest Airlines reports two incidents with its Boeing 737 Max8 fleet
In April, Southwest flight 2786 dropped from the sky at 4,000 feet per minute on approach to the Hawaii island, Kauai. In May, flight 746 experienced “a rare, unsafe back-and-forth roll during flight.” No passengers were injured. Both incidents are under investigation. In Kauai, the flight returned to Honolulu. Weather conditions had not been optimal as the plane … [Read more...] about Southwest Airlines reports two incidents with its Boeing 737 Max8 fleet
White House Correspondents’ Association has a case of butt-hurt.
If you believe that journalists are public servants, then you are mistaken. No, journalists are not public servants. No, it is not the mission of journalists to afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted. Instead, the mission of journalists is this: To enable their employers to earn a financial profit through participation in the journalism industry. The journalism … [Read more...] about White House Correspondents’ Association has a case of butt-hurt.
Biden and Trump may forget names or personal details, but here is what really matters in assessing whether they’re cognitively up for the job
This image of Trump and Biden was taken during the 2020 presidential debate in Nashville, Tenn. Pavlo Conchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Some Americans are questioning whether elderly people like Joe Biden and Donald Trump are cognitively competent to be president amid reports of the candidates mixing up names while speaking and having … [Read more...] about Biden and Trump may forget names or personal details, but here is what really matters in assessing whether they’re cognitively up for the job