Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Vladimir Lenin's lesson for Israel and Ukraine
News, Slavoj Žižek, Published on 08/02/2024
» It is a century since Vladimir Lenin's death and more than three decades since his Bolshevik project collapsed. But while much of his political life was highly problematic from today's perspective, his remorseless pragmatism, as one might call it, still has purchase.
2 coups (failed) and random speculation
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 13/12/2022
» Could there be anything more ridiculous than last week's failed coup attempt in Peru?
Kazakhstan and the price of Russia's empire
News, Nina L Khrushcheva, Published on 10/01/2022
» Paratroopers from Russia's elite Spetsnaz brigade, the shock troops of the Russian military, have arrived in Kazakhstan to suppress violent, nationwide protests against the country's Kremlin-friendly regime. The action comes at a time when Russian troops are already massed near Ukraine's border, and just 15 months after a Russian rifle brigade intervened to end the fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. Is President Vladimir Putin really attempting to rebuild the Russian Empire?
Wonderful world of walrus whiskers
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 11/08/2019
» A couple of months ago PostScript carried an item about the late English comedian Richard Hearne, known as Mr Pastry, and how his walrus moustache gave him an uncanny resemblance to current White House national security adviser, John Bolton. I watched Mr Bolton giving a speech on TV this week and have to admit I could not shake off the image of the bumbling Mr Pastry. Despite reports that Mr Bolton's boss is not a huge fan of the moustache, Mr Bolton is said to be very proud of his distinctive bristle.
PM's book choice baffles nation
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 04/06/2019
» When I saw the headline, that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had recommended the people he is repressing read George Orwell's Animal Farm, I thought it was fake news from a parody page.
Assange foolish not to go to Sweden
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 17/04/2019
» Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, is an unattractive character, and he also has very poor judgement. He should have gone to Sweden seven years ago and faced the rape charges brought against him by two Swedish women. Even if he had been found guilty, he would probably be free by now under Swedish sentencing rules, since no violence was alleged in either case.
Common sense needed
News, Postbag, Published on 11/12/2018
» Re: "Nothing sinister here", (PostBag, Dec 10).
No turning point in Brexit bedlam yet
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 13/07/2018
» Even with Donald Trump scheduled for a brief visit to the United Kingdom this week amid massive protests, it's still "all Brexit, all of the time" in the sceptred isle -- and the long struggle over the nature of the deal that will define Britain's relationship with the European Union (EU) post-exit allegedly reached a turning point last weekend.
Hun Sen's legacy hinges on his 'borami'
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/04/2018
» The Khmer phrase mian borami is common these days in one of the most vibrant capitals in Asean. Ask Cambodians at random in the Central Market or Monivong Boulevard (or, if you fancy, Mao Zedong or Lenin Boulevard) their feelings about Samdech Decho Hun Sen, and chances are they will answer, "Hun Sen has supernatural powers and strength". In Cambodian culture, someone with borami -- or charisma -- has earned respect, recognition and authority from years of work for their neighbourhood and service to the community. They are perceived as extraordinary individuals who have supernatural powers to change things. That is how Cambodians think of Hun Sen. At least for now.
The Putin factor and Russia's future
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 23/02/2018
» Why wait another month to report on the Russian election when we can wrap it up right now? Vladimir Putin is going to win another six years in power by a landslide -- probably between 60% and 70% of the vote. The real question is what happens after that, because he will be 72 by the end of his next term and will not legally be allowed to run for president again.