People who are out of step with the prevailing authority practice ketman to avoid trouble. Ketman is a way to dissemble. At a minimum people practicing ketman must self-censor their speech. When silence isn’t enough, ketman-practitioners find ways to appear to actively support the regime. When ketman-practitioners cannot escape the oppressive regime, they develop ways…
May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has been confined for 10 years. It’s time, on this important day, to bring Julian home. #BringJulianHome
Yesterday, Taliban elements attacked Ghazni. Several defenders were killed and others captured. In a separate incident in Pul-e-Alam, 30 people were killed by explosions. What makes these attacks ominous is that they occurred on the day when US and NATO troops began their official withdrawal. When President Biden pushed back the complete withdrawal date from…
I was too optimistic when I recently applauded President Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal announcement. I failed to mention that President Trump had scheduled the withdrawal from Afganistan for May. Biden actually is delaying the final withdrawal to September. Naturally, many Afghanis consider this another American broken promise. But what’s more troubling to me is that it’s…
As a sign of escalating tensions, US President Biden announced sanctions against Russia and expelled several Russian diplomats today. Both sides are talking tough and hurling threats at each other. Putin, of course, promises retaliation. At the same time, the Biden Administration also announced that the two US warships en route to the Black Sea…
Since I wrote about my fears of a US-encouraged war between Russia and Ukraine, the news has gotten darker, Russia sent troops to the Russian-Ukraine border. Many are now echoing my warning about war. Both sides–Russia and Ukraine–have only hardened their stance amid calls of de-escalation. Ukraine, prodded by the war-hawks in the Biden administration,…
My biggest fear about the incoming Biden administration is becoming all too real. The current US administration seems to be hellbent on war. Ukrainian President Zelensky, by singing decree No. 117/2021, has virtually declared war against Russia. US Secretary of Defense Austin, a former board member of Raytheon, promises unwavering US support for Ukraine. Many…
Surprisingly, this morning a British judge rejected the US request for extradition of Julian Assange. Assange, as most of you know, is the beleaguered founder/leader of WikiLeaks. Previously, Judge Vanessa Baraitser was considered a harsh critic of Assange so her decision surprises me. Assange’s supporters expected a different decision, which would most likely spell the…