Blog
A running commentary on politics, international affairs and culture
Venezuela and Iran: Betrayal or Sloppy Realism?
Too many times myopic restraint leads to harder consequences, and in the cases of Iran and Venezuela, democracy might be losing out because of US sloppiness.
A Lament for Rojava
Kurdistan is perhaps the most Mazzinian struggle of them all—the fact that we have betrayed them so often is to the West’s great shame.
Realizing You’re Salieri
A meditation on Amadeus and how envy of true greatness can hollow the soul, and why humility may be the only path to peace.
No One Left To Lie To?
Trapped between mounting financial scandals, the fall of the Maduro regime, and an electoral collapse, might Sánchez’s foundation of mendacity finally be giving way?
Protests in Iran: Hope and Self-Sacrifice
As Mazzinians, our duty is solidarity with Iran’s democratic revolution, even if all the forces of reaction are upon us.
How Denmark Could Deal with the US in Greenland
Denmark should transform a potential military takeover into a political battle by calling for a referendum in Greenland.
And We’re Back to Opposing US Bellicosity Again
The new geopolitical scene is full of messy contradictions, but strong principles can help us support US intervention for the good while opposing its expansionist ambitions in Greenland and Canada.
Hypocrisy Over Honduras
While Venezuelans celebrate the capture of Maduro, Honduras grabbles with the White House’s hypocrisy.
With Maduro Gone Democracy Must Remain the Goal
With Maduro now in US custody, we must remember the goal in Venezuela is not just the fall of the regime but the return to democracy.
Let’s Not Give Up on Myanmar
As Myanmar faces a sham election under military rule, its ignored and brutalised democracy movement fights a war the world cannot afford to forget.
Somaliland: The Idea of Earning Recognition
Somaliland has been long deserving of recognition as an independent country, but what should determine this? Is self-determination an absolute right or are there institutional realities to factor in?
US Finally Striking Terror in the Sahel
As the Sahel emerges as the global epicenter of jihadist violence, the recent joint US-Nigerian strikes signal a long-awaited strategic shift toward collaborative intervention in West Africa.
Tár Review: Is Power Boring?
Tár’s setup was all about self and conquering arrogance. So why did it devolve into a power drama?
Sharp Power to Oust Maduro?
With things heating up between the US and Venezuela, could Trump's sharp power negotiation technique be a safe and effective way of confronting dictators in the future?
A Ruble for Your Peace?
A US-brokered “peace” that rewards Russian aggression at Ukraine’s expense is not pragmatism but appeasement, and history shows such deals only embolden dictators.
How To Get Away with Occupation
The UN Security Council’s backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan proves that legitimizing illegal occupation is easy if you play it right.
The Importance of Reading Newspapers
There might be good reasons for newspaper circulation to be dwindling, but the art of reading physical news has significant democratic and mental health benefits.
The Taiwan Question
The question over Taiwan has long been personally and politically significant to me. And with things cooling down between the US and China, what might be in store for the world’s most gallant democracy?
The Leer of the Demagogue
Demagoguery has become diffused into our culture and now we look at one another not as political rivals but sectarian enemies.
Why Is Erdoğan Being So Pragmatic?
The welcome news of Tufan Erhürman’s landslide electoral victory in unrecognized Northern Cyprus marks a significant step toward ending one of Europe’s longstanding conflicts. But why is the Turkish president congratulating him?