I'm currently reading "Churchill's Citadel" by Katherine Carter. Focused on the days before Hitler invaded Chechoslovakia. Many parallels between Hitler and Putin. And, sadly, thinking Trump is the Chamberlain of our times.
This is the worry many have. Chamberlain feared war above all. Trump is motivated by different things. I continue to hold out hope because I remember that notwithstanding his bluster in the first term, we nailed the Russians, nailed the Iranians, stayed in Syria, stayed in NATO, and otherwise did reasonably well. Hopefully I’m not deluding myself.
Very good as usual. Why is it so difficult nowadays to recognize certain principles as truths in "diplomacy." A good grounding in history is essential. Take care.
I think that the biggest problem, frankly, is the modern propensity to assess everything— even your pizza choices — through a political lens. The now popular expression “my truth” sums it up. Facts are no longer facts. That makes reading history accurately all the more difficult.
I had a Jr. College teacher tell us that facts were whatever was believed at the time. So yours truly raised his hand and asked incredulously, "so, the world was flat in 1492?" And his reply was yes. Take care.
Very good analysis of how Trump is acting. That's why I am tired of the "experts" on NPR etc, who probably have never negotiated anything of substance, faulting Trump for giving away points, such as Ukraine membership in NATO. Nothing dumber than going into a negotiation proposing something totally implausible. Re Steve's analysis: European proposal might work - better to dangle return of Russian assets rather than confiscating them in violation of international norms (realize you both disagree with that, so no need to castigate me on that point :)).
I'm currently reading "Churchill's Citadel" by Katherine Carter. Focused on the days before Hitler invaded Chechoslovakia. Many parallels between Hitler and Putin. And, sadly, thinking Trump is the Chamberlain of our times.
This is the worry many have. Chamberlain feared war above all. Trump is motivated by different things. I continue to hold out hope because I remember that notwithstanding his bluster in the first term, we nailed the Russians, nailed the Iranians, stayed in Syria, stayed in NATO, and otherwise did reasonably well. Hopefully I’m not deluding myself.
Very good as usual. Why is it so difficult nowadays to recognize certain principles as truths in "diplomacy." A good grounding in history is essential. Take care.
I think that the biggest problem, frankly, is the modern propensity to assess everything— even your pizza choices — through a political lens. The now popular expression “my truth” sums it up. Facts are no longer facts. That makes reading history accurately all the more difficult.
I had a Jr. College teacher tell us that facts were whatever was believed at the time. So yours truly raised his hand and asked incredulously, "so, the world was flat in 1492?" And his reply was yes. Take care.
Very good analysis of how Trump is acting. That's why I am tired of the "experts" on NPR etc, who probably have never negotiated anything of substance, faulting Trump for giving away points, such as Ukraine membership in NATO. Nothing dumber than going into a negotiation proposing something totally implausible. Re Steve's analysis: European proposal might work - better to dangle return of Russian assets rather than confiscating them in violation of international norms (realize you both disagree with that, so no need to castigate me on that point :)).