CYNTHIA CHUNG—The USSR agreed to the destruction of the Berlin Wall specifically on the basis that the western powers would agree to dismantle the war drive and that NATO would cease to expand its military bases any further. Many of the terms of these agreements were outlined in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. However, this treaty that promised the dissolution of the Cold War paradigm was ultimately breached by NATO, with Russia suspending its participation in 2007 and in 2015 ultimately removing its participation in the treaty since NATO had no intention to honor it. Since the supposed end of the Cold War, NATO has only continued its expansion, increasing tension towards an ultimate conflict with Russia.
US EXCEPTIONALISM
-
-
It’s high time the GOP was confined to the dustbin of history
29 minutes readPATRICE GREANVILLE—In the fantasy land that we call American democracy we all hope for the Hollywood happy ending: the crooks and villains get their comeuppance. In other words, Mr. Smith—Mr. Everybody—as visualized by Frank Capra, not only goes to Washington but he triumphs. But in the real-life movie scripts circulated in Washington and in every single seat of traditional class power in America, from Chicago’s mercantile and meatpacking fortunes to Texas oilfields and New York’s financial centers, the outcomes are different. Here the villains prosper. They get rich. They win elections (or buy them, which is even better). In time, like mafia dons who have become elder statesmen, they gain social respect, even gravitas. They give rise to crime families with elaborate national and international connections. The media applaud their achievements.
-
Danger to Society: Against Vaccine Passports
127 minutes readJIM KAVANAGH—I hate to be so blunt. But I also hate to be put under house arrest. I hate that everyone will be subject to a regime of ubiquitous social control by the American capitalist-imperialist state, through its corporate-captured medical bureaucracy, that will extend to every activity, and will not end with, or be limited to, this one virus. I hate that so many people—especially leftists—have not thought for two serious seconds about that. I hate that so many people—especially leftists—are ready not just to accept, but promote this, and, with unmerited arrogance and condescension, attack and ridicule those who resist it.
-
The Entire Korean Peninsula as an American Satrapy?
24 minutes readKIM PETERSEN—As A.B. Abrams expressed with crystal clarity in his excellent book, Immovable Object: North Korea’s 70 Years at War with American Power, North Koreans are well aware of how American imperialism works, of its military depravity, and its proclivity for disinformation. North Koreans have demonstrated resistance, resilience, and self-reliance. It has served them well since the armistice was signed on 27 July 1953. North Korea is an economically sanctioned country, yes, but it is not an economically stunted country.
-
JANICE KORTKAMP—WDRVM’s name comes from the first letters of the Elias family members involved in this tremendous effort: Father Walid, mother Denise, son Rabi, and daughters Valirina and Marquize. It was Valirina who fearlessly climbed out the top of the 80m high turbine with the Syrian flag.
What didn’t exist in Syria, they made. Skills and expertise in the wind energy field were hard to find there, so they trained Syrian engineers and scientists and factory workers to become experts. Women and men, Syrians from all backgrounds working together to produce something to help provide much-needed electricity and jobs as well as a model for future businesses.