by David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group Columnist TAIPEI, Taiwan -- If you like betting on embattled underdogs, President Tsai Ing-wen is worth a look. She's tempting the wrath of her powerful neighbor in mainland China by arguing that Taiwan must maintain its own open culture, democratic values and, yes, its sovereignty. Tsai is a petite woman, dressed in a … [Read more...] about For Taiwan, the ‘status quo’ is an increasingly delicate balancing act
Cartoon: Melania Approval Decline
Who are Yemen’s Houthis?
Supporters of Shiite Houthi rebels attend a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, in 2017. AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File Myriam Renaud, University of Chicago Fully half of Yemen’s population – 14 million people – are on the brink of starvation. Some analysts blame their inability to access basic foodstuff on escalating conflict between two religious factions: the … [Read more...] about Who are Yemen’s Houthis?
Agua (Cartoon, Column and Video)
A seven-year-old Guatemalan girl died in the Custody of Border Patrol (CBP) last week. The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) statement has only raised more questions than it answers. The girl and her father were apprehended with a large group of migrants in a remote span of the New Mexico Desert. Reportedly, she hadn’t eaten or consumed water for several days. After … [Read more...] about Agua (Cartoon, Column and Video)
The GOP majority’s last words: But her emails!
Republicans, in the waning hours of their eight-year reign in the House, are using this precious time to do what they love best: investigating Hillary Clinton's emails. The House Oversight Committee had one last item on this year's calendar -- a hearing Thursday on the Clinton Foundation. But it didn't stop there! Republicans and their witnesses used the hearing to reprise … [Read more...] about The GOP majority’s last words: But her emails!
ADRIFT ABOARD THE PEQUOD
“…but let Ahab beware of Ahab; beware of thyself, old man." - Starbuck Donald Trump with his metaphorical ivory leg walks the halls of the White House much like Richard Nixon did in 1974, alone and bitter. Trump yells, “Man the braces!”, but there’s hardly anybody left to hear him. It seems inevitable that someone in the Republican Party will gather the few who … [Read more...] about ADRIFT ABOARD THE PEQUOD
The Last Train to Auschwitz (Revisited)
It has been nearly 75 years since the last train crammed with Dutch Jews destined for the Auschwitz death camp left Westerbork, a camp situated in the northeastern part of the Netherlands that served as a transit camp for Dutch Jews before they were deported to Nazi extermination camps. The “Holocaust train,” was carrying the last 279 of approximately 107,000 Dutch Jews … [Read more...] about The Last Train to Auschwitz (Revisited)
Republicans failed to govern, but Democrats have a chance to succeed
by David Ignatius Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- This week was a vivid demonstration of the inability of conservatives to deliver results after the great populist revolts in 2016 in Britain and America. And it showed that there is a golden opportunity for liberals in both countries to tackle the public concerns that motivated the mistaken decisions to … [Read more...] about Republicans failed to govern, but Democrats have a chance to succeed
Allegations of sexual harassment throw UNAIDS in crisis
UNAIDS, a unique United Nations agency charged with combating HIV/AIDS, is deeply mired in crisis following complaints of sexual harassment and bullying of women and other staff. This could be very harmful to those at high risk of HIV or already living with AIDS around the world, especially if the agency takes a long time to regain the credibility and trust needed for its … [Read more...] about Allegations of sexual harassment throw UNAIDS in crisis
Green New Deal: The Democratic Party’s Folly
The proposed Green New Deal is the Democratic Party's folly. To understand why, just read the following excerpt from Naomi Klein's commentary The Game-Changing Promise of a Green New Deal: "For the first time, I see a clear and credible political pathway that could get us to safety, a place in which the worst climate outcomes are avoided and a new social compact is forged … [Read more...] about Green New Deal: The Democratic Party’s Folly
Individual One
David Donar. All rights reserved. Copyright Donar, Political Graffiti … [Read more...] about Individual One
Trump has been walking a tightrope of lies, and now he is teetering
WASHINGTON -- There was plenty of awful legal news for President Trump this week, but the worst may have come from an official who hasn't yet been sworn in. Letitia James, who will become the New York state attorney general next month, told NBC she plans to "use every area of the law to investigate President Trump and his business transactions and that of his family as … [Read more...] about Trump has been walking a tightrope of lies, and now he is teetering
The NRA’s financial weakness, explained
Political clout doesn’t guarantee a healthy bottom line. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Brian Mittendorf, The Ohio State University The National Rifle Association’s political spending fell during the 2018 midterm elections. There’s talk of ending small perks like free coffee at its offices and even employee layoffs. These and other trends indicate that at a … [Read more...] about The NRA’s financial weakness, explained
Six steps to surviving a job in the Trump administration
WASHINGTON -- So you are about to accept President Trump's offer to be White House chief of staff. On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you. We were worried nobody would take the job. You say you have no experience in government or politics. Not a problem! Nobody else in the White House knows how to run a country, either. And don't be alarmed by those never-Trumpers who … [Read more...] about Six steps to surviving a job in the Trump administration
Handicapping the Democratic Presidential Field
Two disclaimers to begin. First I am god-awful at predicting winners and losers in political contests. The only time I was right I sincerely regret. That was predicting that Donald Trump had a real shot at beating Hillary Clinton. Second, the Democratic field is anything but static at this point. For purposes of this exercise, I’ll take CNN’s assessment of the ten most … [Read more...] about Handicapping the Democratic Presidential Field
Don’t just laugh at Trump’s fecklessness
WASHINGTON -- The democratic world is burning, and we have a president obsessed with a purely symbolic, trivial, and politically manipulative fight over a wall -- a giant piece of concrete that he laughably promised would be paid for by Mexico. You can surely be entertained by President Trump's encounter Tuesday with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. At … [Read more...] about Don’t just laugh at Trump’s fecklessness
Brexit rooted more in elite politics than mass resentment
Craig Parsons, University of Oregon Thirty months after the British voted to exit the European Union, or the EU, nobody knows where Brexit will end up. Champions of the exit hoped to free themselves from the EU’s constraints – especially requirements for open migration from Europe – while maintaining access to its vast market. This proved impossible to negotiate with the … [Read more...] about Brexit rooted more in elite politics than mass resentment
Cartoon: Nancy Boy
Emergency! It’s time for Trump to fabricate another crisis!
WASHINGTON -- Robert Mueller is circling, recessionary clouds are building, and Democrats are rising to power. For President Trump, this can mean only one thing: It's time to fabricate a new crisis. And that's exactly what he's doing. Trump summoned Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to the Oval Office on Tuesday for what was supposed to be a negotiating session about border … [Read more...] about Emergency! It’s time for Trump to fabricate another crisis!
Wisconsin GOP’s power grab is a danger to democracy
The Wisconsin State Capitol. Wikipedia/RAHurd, CC BY-SA Christopher Beem, Pennsylvania State University In Wisconsin, Democratic candidates won the 2018 elections for governor and attorney general. But the Republican-controlled legislature quickly introduced and passed lame-duck legislation that takes power away from these incoming officeholders … [Read more...] about Wisconsin GOP’s power grab is a danger to democracy