On Wednesday, soldiers of the presidential guard overthrew Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, and replaced him with a military general, Abdourahmane Tchiani.
I would agree that putin's actions are adding to his long list of war crimes and crimes against humanity. 60,000 tons of grain would possibly feed a quarter million people for a year (maybe someone can verify this number). And the foxy criminal has invited leaders of African nations to St Petersburg, so he does not have to leave his country, as he would and should be arrested immediately when caught outside the Russian borders
This is a form of genocide. This Russia -Wagner Group is disarming. Coups just continue to roll along.. And the UN is passe because it does not have an impact on any of these military terrorist and humanitarian devastations. How many countries are now autocratic regimes. This is sad news to end the week.
Many Russians and Kazakhs died during the same period. Urban political functionaries never understand what they are doing when they take over farms and ranches, especially in the midst of an environmental disaster. The drought that hit America during that same time, was really a global event - the first real harbinger of climate change. Putin destroying all that grain now is another indicator of how unhinged he has become, and how little he knows or cares about the history of the regions he wishes to rule.
Meredith, we do not need to allow Putin to control this situation. We can find other ways to work with our allies to provide grain from Ukraine to the nations who usually receive this life saving food supply. It may be more expensive with Ukraine's earnings less but together we can do it. We can work together to use a variety of transport to get grain to those who need it.
Putin's actions only reveal his desperation to control what he cannot. Those of us who believe in freedom can prevail by caring about this situation and our fellow humans.... by working together, using our expertise in transport opportunities we can defeat this plan. We must have the will. Freedom is not free!!! We must work hard together to help Niger (and others) maintain a free government.
The free world is itself a family...always working to be better....working against our own innate "bad, selfish character" for a goal that is bigger and better than ourselves. We need one another .... to continue pulling up one another....it does not just happen!!!!
We must consider that we can be negatively effected. When one part of our earth is in trouble ....we feel it in some way. We must work together to defeat those who want to take from the weaker or vulnerable ones for their own selfish gain.
Read "Execution by Hunger -- the Hidden Holocaust" by Miron Dolot and be aware of the reality of the forced starvation of the Ukrainians because they were Ukrainians while Russia had no famine and Ukrainians were not allowed to go to Russia (unless they were being deported to Russia concentration camps in the north). This is internationally recognized as the Holodomor during which millions of Ukrainians were deliberately starved to death after all their food supplies were taken from them and all their resources to procure food, their bodies in the fields where they searched for potato pieces or along the roads as they tried to go to the cities to find sustenance offered in the foreign markets.
Horrible and sickening. Russia has been known to be ruthless and careless with lives. Russia lost more lives in WWII that Germany did. In the battle of Leningrad (which was of no real significance) Hitler wanted it because it was named after Lenin. Stalin refused to let the Germans have it because the city has his name on it. Over a million Russians died for this useless battle.
They drug their present soldiers to go into suicide missions. They do not care for their soldiers.
If there was yet another reason to deny Putin's ambitions, it would be this - control over Ukraine (or any other nation) means the opportunity to directly murder by execution, and export to labor camps and work to death, and starve, its population - just like Stalin did. I can envision labor camps in which Ukrainians are forced to clear minefields, to farm huge collective farms without access to the food they grow there, and to reconstruct the infrastructure Putin and his orcs have destroyed - under threat of either being murdered immediately or being starved to death. "Arbeit macht frei" redux, anyone?
The destroyed Ukrainian grain wasn't bound for Africa. Only 2% of Ukrainian grain exports have gone to Africa. The biggest importers are China,Turkey and Spain:
While IMO war itself is a "war crime", everything putin is now doing is most certainly crimes against humanity. I would like nothing more than to see Special Prosecutor Jack Smith resume his role at The Hague and have at putin after he is done with trump!
Yes, please. Terminate TheRump's threat to American democracy, then take on Putin's crimes against humanity; stop this modern-day Stalin in his tracks.
Jack Smith sort of radiates the impression that he will not suffer fools gladly:
“I think this original indictment was engineered to last a thousand years and now this superseding indictment will last an antiquity,” Ty Cobb told CNN. “This is such a tight case, the evidence is so overwhelming.”
I do believe that is why he does not travel outside of certain countries. Something like an open arrest warrant applies... you won't see him anywhere in Europe, and he won't be attending any meetings at the UN.
Unspeakable action on Putin’s part. But what a relief to read about Niger, to learn so much in a wonderfully written letter from Heather. And what a relief to not have seen a certain name I will not mention. I hope the military coup will fail in Niger. A true setback for their young, fragile democracy. I am going to my maps to see exactly where Niger is! Thank you, Heather! Have a great weekend.
Elisabeth, I had the greatest history teacher in 6th grade, then another in 12th grade. I loved drawing maps and studying many of the countries in the world. Africa was always so mysterious.
The building of the pyramids and the amazing use and the understanding of the rising of the water of the Nile river in order to transport materials was so impressive. Also the various tribes and peoples in other areas, the way they lived and worshiped....I loved it. I also enjoyed learning about the powerful waterfalls as well as the amazing variety of animals and birds...etc.
This continent and its people should be the ones to receive the blessings of its abundance.....not robbers and thieves who only want personal gain!!!
Love this description of Africa, such abundance as you say, Emily! But they are thwarted and terrorized by "robbers and thieves" like Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries.
Beautiful comment. My best friend from 1974 is married to a man from Rwanda and we have close friends from Ethiopia. I have a Jewish friend in S. Africa. I want to visit as soon as possible in the coming years. All of Africa is my "bucket list"!
We are fortunate that we spent 3 years in Sierra Leone in the Peace Corps (and were married in Freetown) and I was in Sierra Leone before that for six months of study abroad. Since i taught African history while I was there, I have a good idea of where places are and the geography of the continent. I also understand to a degree how the politics work there and the long effect of colonialism. Much later we were lucky to win a trip to South Africa. In our PC days during the summer we couldn't leave the continent of Africa, but we couldn't go to South Africa then because of apartheid. So we ended up going to Egypt with a few days in northern Nigeria. A lot has changed in Africa since then although a lot of things remain the same, including frail governments and various countries eager to exploit Africa's natural resources.
The destroyed Ukrainian grain wasn't bound for Africa. Only 2% of Ukrainian grain exports have gone to Africa. The biggest importers are China,Turkey and Spain:
Though Putin faces crimes against humanity, authoritarians mostly don't travel outside their country. Compounded by fear, Putin has made less trips or none at all to other countries.
But, Africa seems to have remained as a battleground for superpowers that want to flex their power muscles and project themselves as powerful. Russia hosted the Africa-Summit recently to entice African countries and promise goodies in terms of securities and resources and often with no conditions. On the other hand, US comes with grants and aids to Africa but on condition that they adhere to Western values. In short Africa is up for grabs among US, Russia, China and EU.
However, Africa-Russia Summit had lowest attendance for the first time. This was partly contributed by the President of Kenya William Ruto who said that Africa must first reorganise itself before attending any Summit and demand that they must be treated as equals. He suggested that Africa must look for its own solutions especially in terms of security. The Wagner Group has messed with regimes by supporting rebels in exchange for economic resources.
NB/ let me condemned the coup carried out by the military in Niger after the first democratic transition of power in 2011. This is barbaric and further escalates the already fragile democratic situation. Both parties must cease to using undemocratic means and put the country first.
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I have long thought that most, if not all, the solutions to the challenges faced by African nations already exists in the minds of Africans themselves. Ruto's statement of Africa first recognizing itself is the best articulation of this I've ever heard. The challenges are immense and diverse - but then so is Africa.
He seems to understand that the more Africa seeks outside solutions, the more it comes with unwanted and systematic problems that takes time to root out. Consider, Wagner Group, mercenaries associated with Russia. It positions itself as a provider of securiry solutions, but the long term impacts are disastrous. Look at Mali, Chad, and 2 days ago, Niger has had coup. At the same time, they extract resources away from Africa.
I have always felt that there are certain prerequisites of nationhood, more specifically (1) logical borders such as mountain ranges or bodies of warter, (2) natural or human resources sufficient to support a viable economy, (3) an ethnic, religious, or linguistic commonality of its population, making it distinct from those of neigboring areas, and (4) a sufficent number of educated people, dedicated to and capable of, effectively managing it as a nation. It appears to me that lack of even one of these can lead to instability and a neo-colonial dependence on outside powers, or a takeover, usually claimed to be, but rarely, temporary, by whoever controls the military or by the military itself. This seems to be the problem in Niger and elsewhere in Africa, if not the world.
That is why thirteen individual colonies succeeded in forming one United States of America two and a half centuries ago. They had the Atlantic Ocean as a natural border, plenty of natural resources, a homogeneous population, racially White, speaking English, and following Christianity, and many well educated people. Meeting these prerequisites was not hampered by the new nation's shortcomings, particularly slavery, which ended in 1865, the echoes of which some see as a threat to its homogeneous nature, even today, as its population becomes more heterogeneous.
Edwin, another knowledgeable poster has told us that the Wagner group has not been known to be in Niger and Niger is standing strong for democracy.
After Prigozhin’s revolt and withdrawal from Ukraine, it would not be surprising to see a change or growth in their mission in Africa, especially because Putin is vindictive and angry. I would not be surprised to see him suddenly pivot and target fledgling democracies, in addition to their current interest in lucrative resources.
Sure. It seems this has given an impetus for Wagner Group to relaunch itself to further benefit from unstable democracies in Africa, even if they may not have been involved in Niger.
Thank you. William Ruto didn't attend and its resolution to restructure the power of Africa seems to be taking off with most African countries boycotting Africa-Russia Summit. I am sure in the next months ,he will organise for a meeting with African countries. While in Paris, he expressed dissatisfaction with the financial infrastructure that sets Africa into debt by saying that the continent pays its debt 8 times more than developed countries.
Edwin, the NYT published data that there were more than 30 empty transport ships anchored at the mouth of the Danube waiting to ship grain when Putin attacked. What is the impact on African nations?
Of course, this will have a huge impact on Africa considering that Ukraine has had agreements with some African countries to supply grains. Africa might face shortage of grains in the short-term but I am sure other countries fighting for a space in African Market might jump in and take advantage to supply grains. Russia only wanted to outwit Ukraine out of Africa just like it is doing to US.
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Putin, charged with war crimes...is unable to travel without risk. His safe travel is restricted. Many nations are obliged to arrest him and turn him over to the World Court.
Putin grew up in the ruins of post-war Leningrad, a city scarred by a brutal 900-day siege during the Second World War. Putin’s mother, Maria, almost died of starvation while his father was away fighting.
A very large number of people emitted from WWII having lived through horror, starvation, having seen mass slaughter and torture, incarceration. Seriously.
Take a look at the Netflix short documentary "The Last Days".
A very large number of those people went on to live close to normal lives without causing pain for others.
Putin is just a nasty bully. Nothing to do with his childhood. Too many people have thrown off the horror of their WW II experience and gone on to productive, loving lives to give Putin an excuse for his nasty.
He is just nasty. He enjoys nasty. He is evil. Nothing to do with WW II.
I watched this documentary last night, as you mentioned it earlier this week. Highly recommend “The Last Days”. It is the story from 5 different people who survived the concentration camp, Auschwitz. Truly moving to see their love of life after living this horror. I have visited Dacchau - but hearing people’s 1st hand account of the atrocities is the best learning we can have of learning from history- and understanding how vile the Greed of Man can be.
Very good! I found "The Last Days" both very sad and very encouraging. How people could go through so much horror and still end up being kind humans with soft spoken voices showing their love for humanity.
It really affected me. I am glad you liked it.
I am not sure I could visit those places btw. I was in Germany briefly with my kids long ago and we did not.
About 11 years ago, I read a book written by a Holocaust survivor. I subsequently read many, many more - over 75 - mostly first hand accounts and some just about WWII. The will to survive was absolutely amazing to me as was their ability to pick up the pieces and go on with a "normal" life after surviving all of that trauma. The one thing that stuck out to me and that I think about a lot, is how food was used to slowly, tortiously, kill so many people. One person wrote about being very close to death in the infirmary of a concentration camp. Someone slipped him an onion - just one onion - and he credited that one onion with his survival. I will try to watch "The Last Days" this weekend. Thank you for the recommendation.
We visited Auschwitz while on a tour of eastern Europe. It was a tough and the energy there hangs like a black pall. I have never been anywhere else quite like it, not even Robbins Island in South Africa. It was also a gray day adding to the somberness. Although the Germans tried to destroy the ovens before the Russians got there, there is one intact near where the camp commander lived with his family which I think was a prototype for the ones across the way where you can see the railroad that took people to their deaths.
I saw the documentary too. (The night before I watched “Till”—two nights in a row of deep sadness.) I have also been to Auschwitz/Birkenau. I commented yesterday to friends that man’s Inhumanity is boundless.
The dedication of land, skills, work, time and energy to produce grain being heartlessly destroyed is beyond terrible: wasting resources that could help people survive.......Putin will stop at nothing to succeed in his illegal war and destruction of Ukraine.
Thanks. Not actually surprising, but good to know. It appears that a small part of Ukrainian grain might end up anywhere, but most went to China, Spain and Turkey.
For whatever it's worth, from Pepe Escobar covering the recent Russia-Africa summit:
"Putin showed how Russia holds a 20% share of the global wheat market. In the first 6 months of 2023, it had already exported 10 million tons of grain to Africa. Now Russia will be providing Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Eritrea with 25-50 thousand tons of grain each in the next 3-4 months, for free."
"Putin detailed everything from approximately 30 energy projects across Africa to the expansion of oil and gas exports and “unique non-energy applications of nuclear technology, including in medicine”; the launching of a Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal with products to be exported throughout Africa; and the development of Africa’s financial infrastructure, including connection to the Russian payment system."
That's a stupid lie. The destroyed Ukrainian grain wasn't bound for Africa. Only 2% of Ukrainian grain exports have gone to Africa. The biggest importers are China,Turkey and Spain:
If Putin travels to a country that has signed up to the International Criminal Court (ICC), yes, he could be arrested. The US is not a signatory of the ICC.
Tragic to see the Wagner Mercenaries active in a mineral rich area. I hope the Democracy can survive. So many problems already due to inequity. Indeed, a volatile part of the world.
With only a few exceptions (Mostly Norway) that I am aware of, resource extraction seems to breed economic asymmetry, and with it despotic distribution of power. That's enough in itself to be exploring greener, less centralized energy production. Fossil fuel producers have for too long had the world over a barrel. Concentration of any sort of coercive power tends to corrupt, and how much suffering and conflict around the world is due to this. Would the US have bothered to bomb Iraq if their primary export had been cabbages?
"Would the US have bothered to bomb Iraq if their primary export had been cabbages?"
Probably not but who knows? We bombed Vietnam for 20 years for nothing at all. Well, initially we were trying to stop Ho Chi Minh from throwing off the yoke of French Colonialism and keep the Vietnamese people under the Colonial thumb.
But, after a while, not even very long, we were just bombing to bomb. There was no real reason. Perhaps we just had men with poor judgement in leadership here?
We do not like to think about those things. That is why voting is so important. Deep down we knew Nixon and Bush/Chaney we were not for peace. If Afghanistan had really been a democracy would it have been so easy for the Taliban to come back? And why did we attack Iran and not Saudi Arabia? My thought at the time DJT made his mad bargain was, "too bad Obama had so much hope for them. We stayed too long past our welcome."
We cannot afford to attack in words or military Saudi Arabia; the Royal Family have the most 💰💰💰on planet Earth made from fossil fuels of which they have the most as well. Bite the hand that lines our pockets? They can get away with monstrous human rights abuses bombing Yemen over religious differences, taking out all the infrastructure, starving innocent people. Murdered and mutilated Jamal Khashoggi suffered no consequences, a reporter for the Washington Post. According to Trump at the time, of course, “they are very fine people.” Let’s not forget they get their weapons from the USA! Our military industrial complex has jobs because of the atrocities committed by the Saudi Regime. Definition of corruption at the highest level. Makes me physically ill; but the status quo will never change.
Did I leave out the most aggregious of all? The trained in the USA Saudi pilots that took down the World Trade Centers and attacked the Pentagon on 09/11/2001? Had it not been for the heroic intervention of the passengers aboard flight #93 that awful day, a fourth plane would have taken down the White House or Capitol. Sure, very fine people. Trump’s friends.
Yes indeed and Jared Kushner swung a sweet deal with the Saudi's for billions$$$ for his ill conceived "hedge fund" start-up. Follow the money my friends.
Don't forget keeping women as chattel. That we continue to maintain a "friendly" relationship with Saudi Arabia, says a lot about how we think about women.
"As we move toward the celebration 2 years from now of the 200th anniversary of this Nation's independence, let us press vigorously on toward the goal I announced last November for Project Independence. Let this be our national goal: At the end of this decade, in the year 1980, the United States will not be dependent on any other country for the energy we need to provide our jobs, to heat our homes, and to keep our transportation moving. To indicate the size of the Government commitment, to spur energy research and development, we plan to spend $10 billion in Federal funds over the next 5 years. " - Richard Nixon (THAT Richard Nixon)
Agreed. Yes, I'm sure they decided the price was too high. I think it was a bad decision. In many ways Osama got what he wanted ...he did a lot of damage here. If you get a chance you might be interested in Steve Schmidt's substack post today. It was excellent.
Interesting you mention Iraq. I lived in Niger for a time in the early 2000's and saw the effect 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had on the country. The American embassy, like in many countries, had been turned into a fortress and outreach (like English and other classes, lending libraries, etc.) throughout the country had been seriously cut back or eliminated. Nigeriens I met, who had benefited from these programs, realized the loss for their children and the country as a whole. And around this time, while we were wasting trillions on two wars, China increased its presence. Almost overnight it went from an embassy the size of a small house into its own fortress and they began building a bridge in Niamey (2006 or 2007 I think), but not with local workers who could have greatly benefited from the work and helped the local economy, but with (reportedly) Chinese prisoners who were watched by armed guards. Niger, a desperately poor but beautiful country -- with uranium! -- has not, over time, been served well by the French, Americans, Chinese and now whomever is involved in this recent coup.
Unlike the harsh "reparations" forced upon Germany after WW l that arguably helped the NAZIs take power, the US deployed the ally-building Marshall Plan, that among other things, blunted Soviet influence in injured states. I have wondered if even a decent share of money literally wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan had been successfully improved the lot of those nation's citizens if we would now have more friends and influence?
The "Domino Theory" seemed MTG-like word-salad from the get-go. I think the Vietnam War was part and parcel of a swing back to disinforming and manipulating the electorate, which the "Pentagon Papers" laid wide open. Between the Spanish-American War and Iraq Part II, mass media had been doing some critical reporting and thinking, which government policies had encouraged. The massive death toll in Vietnam utterly lacked the necessity of our fight against the Axis.
And they seem to think nothing of sending people into the carnage to kill other people and then not providing the injured with enough support once they return. It's unconscionable that elites keep sending other people's children to war, for ideology, and profit. How do so many sociopaths bubble to the top?
I suppose that part of it is that "the top". total domination, is all they care about. But its weird how so many, often far worse for it, support their ambitions.
JL, yes for sure. And what is so troubling to me is the lack of thoughtfulness consideration involving those folks who are the decision makers when it comes to people's lives. With Vietnam there was a treadmill and only after 30 years McNamara saw it. I don't know how we can do better but we should.
I have never understood what the Vietnam War was supposed to accomplish. The rationale shared with the public always seemed absurd. The trouble with self-government is the amount of effort it takes to become informed and think things through, or else it's not really self government.
It seems to me that there are recognizable patterns of behavior which are clearly appealing to human beings into which we would be wise not to slip. Is there a more compelling way to draw attention to that than we have applied up to now? I sure hope so. How much human misery is collectively "self-imposed" and what is our potential for mutually empowering, responsible societies; liberty and justice, as far as we can manage it, for all?
Oh yes, that goes without saying........actually it is THE GOAL WE MUST ACHIEVE; did not mention, getting redundant in the conversation. Or “fascism”will overtake us, the narrative of all stated or unstated rhetoric every day.
One more hot potato for Biden to juggle, while Kevin McCarthy kowtows to the fringe of the GOP and talks of impeachment and the villainous Mitch McConnell freezes up in front of the cameras. How much more incompetent can the Republicans be with their active crusade against doing anything about climate change. You can get the attention of an ass with a well-placed two-by-four, making the ass more intelligent than most Republicans.
Mitch’s freeze moment looked like either a TIA - close to a stroke - or an epileptic fugue moment, both definitely needing medical attention and observation.
He's had a recent brain injury (concussion). Healing from those takes a lot of time and energy, especially for older folks. McConnell and his aids probably thought he was ready for business as usual once he looked okay - clearly he is not.
Can all these old geriatric folks we have in government now lead like that? I seriously doubt it.
80 years old is too old to be doing a job that billions of people count on being done well.
btw: I am a huge fan of John Adams and recommend everyone read Catherine Drinker Bowens biography of him. If you want to get a clear window into the formation of our current governmental system, and, the early goings on, that book is the best book I have read at least.
I don't recommend McCollough's book. Or, rather, read it AFTER reading Bowen's book. His book skips the early stuff that Bowen covers and is also not as interesting to read.
Mike, someday you will be 80 years old....do you want to have all your years of acquired knowledge and experience "dissed" just for having become "80"?
President Joe Biden AND HIS AMAZING TEAM have saved this country and contributed to Democracy around the world. He has healed broken relationships !
We need to regain respect for our elders and for their wisdom!!!
Exactly, Emily! He has a wealth of experience from all his years in office and wisdom that comes w that experience. He has chosen smart experienced advisors and team members, what it takes to be a world leader in foreign and domestic matters!
John Adams was 45 when he wrote the Massachusetts constitution ? In those days 45 was definitely not young. It was definitely the end of the line for a majority of the people. Women especially. Democrats have a definite problem with Biden’s age perhaps as large as the Republicans have with Trumps criminality. Biden has been an incredibly successful President and Obama was mistaken when he chose Clinton over him prior to 2016. But with Mitch McConnell’s “ freeze” and the pity when one sees a greatly diminished Diane Feinstein I worry that we are all trying to wish President Biden’s age away. I speak from experience as I am 84 and generally “tired”. I am not in bad shape but I definitely do not have the energy and stamina I had when I was 64. That is a fact of life and can be managed by careful scheduling of one’s resources. But perception is everything in a presidential campaign and the President appears to be old.
Biden has done an extraordinary job with all the challenges he has faced. Anyone making his age an issue just doesn’t want to see the world continue to become a kinder more loving place. Period!
“"If you take a room full of 80-year-olds, 15% are frail and vulnerable," Walston says. "Sixty percent have some health problems that are slowing them down. The rest are robust and active."
"What drives some people toward frailty and others toward resiliency?" he asks. "For the group in the middle, the 60% that you can't quite tell, we're trying to tease out how to make those determinations. We need to understand the aging-related biologic changes better in order to improve health trajectories in older adults."”
People around Feinstein and McConnell should be strongly pressuring them to step down. They have OBVIOUS health issues effecting their abilities. Voters need to be more engaged and pay better attention. Dark money needs to go so voters can know what’s true without working so hard at it.
And tfg isn't all that far behind Biden. I am of two minds about Biden. He's been so effective, thus far, and seems in remarkably good shape for an 80 year old man, but he is old. If he is re-elected and can't finish his second term, however, we would finally have a woman as president.
I think Biden is doing a good job and would go down in history as truly visionary if he were to resign now. I trust KH and his administration can keep up the good work. I also think he should endorse his pick for the next president (not KH) and let the primary decide. I think he should pick an African American candidate (Jeffries?). The drama alone would end the torment of his son and collapse the repugnant party. I think the drama would also shake everyone awake and Biden could retire which is what RBG should have done and Feinstein and McConnell should do for the good of our shaking democracy.
Thanks, Mary Ellen. Great solution to a problem I've puzzled over for several months. I love what Biden has done and I marvel at the bold moves he makes almost daily! Surely, he will go down in history as a visionary, as you say. If he endorsed a successor who is popular, Jefferies, e.g., as you sugest, it would make many dems feel better about voting in itself. It would be dramatic to see Biden standing with that successor on a podium while campaigning and passing on the torch to the next generation!
Ok, but the biggest idiots, granted all Republicans, are young...so it's not an age issue. I adore Jamie Raskin, but he is in poor health ( hopefully it is arrested) so it's not always a concern just because the person is old. The older house democrats have handed the reins to the younger democrats and they are doing a great job, but they were prepared by Nancy and shown the way. Who prepared McCarthy - who looks upon MTG with the doe eyes of a teenager? It's not age. Good character, brains, clever, ernest...those are the important traits.
Another possibility, IMHO, Mitch was thinking about saying trmp is a crook and you are all acting insane. Barrasso quickly took him away for more brainwashing.
Yes, I though TIA as well. He is up there in age. It doesn't look like he's taking this as a signal that he has to step down. The more worrisome question, is if he does step down what horrible person will take his place?
As always, fascinating details that flesh out the broad strokes of world events. Fascinating and distressing! Thank you for you good work, Dr. Richardson!
Exactly Meredith, reading this (and every HCR letter) feels like taking a class in world history and global politics. I actually skimmed and skipped the NYT headline about Niger yesterday thinking... “I don’t know enough about the region to know the significance of a coup.” So glad to be enlightened by the professor once again.
Loved the quote from the protester...“We are here to show the people that we are not happy about this movement going on, just to show these military people that they can’t just take the power like this…. We are a democratic country, we support democracy and we don’t need this kind of movement."
It’s remarkable that the US military, so far, hasn’t participated in a coup. I wonder how long this can last. The ranks below colonel are permeated with Trumpian autocrats, and the general officers aren’t immune, either (the infamous Flynns for example). In the Air Force, it goes all way to the top. (The Doolittle/ LeMay/ Strangelove legacy?) It’s a miracle, and a credit to the organization, that the top brass has continued to honor the oath of office.
God, that's a scary thought, Rex. What makes it scarier is that while that once would have sounded unreasonable, and it is still on the fringes or possibility, it is still a possibility
Jeri, I believe there is an argument now, based on lawsuits, etc., that FOX is unreliable as a source of "news". There might be FCC complaints in that regard. Perhaps "news" should be removed from their corp name? I would suggest FOX should not be regarded as a source for our troops due to past history.
Fox has been nothing but propaganda since day ONE. Should NEVER have had News in their name. They even claim to be entertainment. Ex service man I knew about 12 years ago said that MSNBC had been on tv on base until Fox came along, then on all tvs on base. That should have been outlawed. But W/Dickie ruled at that time.
YouTube has an amazing number of videos supporting a problem with policing. In many ways the Middle Ages were safer, more peaceful and certainly less rushed than the United States of today.
Oh yes, the Middle Ages. Smelly, diseased, toiling all day to make rent. Surviving
marauding armies. Torture as an accepted punishment, with no legal recourse. Primitive medicine and no anesthesia. Superstition ruling the mind. Sure, the middle ages were great.
Not as many people and mostly serfs trying to survive. When you die at 30 of rotting teeth, you’re not likely to have a lot of energy for revolts (although they happened).
I realize the downside to the Middle Ages. I imagined life then as happenstance. Not all the bad happened to everyone.
Well I can turn that to maternal grandparents life in Newport, Virginia in 1900 to 1970. Same routine every day, same clothes, same material goods and very little expectation of change. One horse vs a tractor, a few chickens, sometimes three or four hogs and three maybe four milk cows. Neighbors were in the next hollow so no noise. I am now seventy six and from ten until maybe fourteen years of age I enjoyed exploring, porch setting and watching sunset and sunrise. My cousins and I did no farm work and only visited in the summer. I now live in a leafy neighborhood in NC and wish I had the physical and mental peace of the small dirt farm. Grandchildren are fifteen minutes away so no chance of moving.
I remember a report years ago that at the Air Force Academy there was active proselytizing of the cadets by officers to become what was then called born-again Christians, and religious favoritism on top of that. Does anyone know more about this?
Yes. A few officers were chastised. Justice was not done with respect to cadets and non-compliant officers who were harmed. I would be extremely surprised to learn that the situation hasn’t reverted to what it it was before the scandal. It was reasonably well covered in the press so shouldn’t be to hard to track down.
Thanks for replying, Rex. This story seemed to fade away, and I've wondered at times if it really happened. Instead of looking into it more and getting more disgusted, I think I'll track down some upbeat news of people behaving well, not badly. Onward!
Christy, each branch most likely has their own procurement process. I am not sure how that would work for a generic communications need across all units. Could be a Joint Chiefs RFP, I suppose., and that would be Milley.
Christy, Not really. This has been standard practice for a while now as the troops apparently like their bombastic style. Base commanders could change it if there was something else that was as entertaining, I suppose. I personally like BBC but that may be to tame for young folks. Congress could study the issue? Milley could change it.
If you would allow me to riff a bit, the dismal news out of NIger should remind us all that while "big power" geopolitics plays out its usual string in our Country, and amid the familiar groupings of friends and foes throughout Europe, much of Asia and South America, we have a sort of amnesia about the African continent. I seem to remember that there was a mysterious killing of American troops a few years back in Niger when none of us were aware we had troops there, a scenario that brings back disturbing Gulf of Tonkin-like memories.
Niger is one of the tips of the spear for Boko Haram and any remnants of ISIS in sub-Saharan Africa. It, and most of the Sahel in general, have long been the intersection between Saharan Africa and the larger, southern part of the Continent in terms of trade, and cultural and religious byplay, etc.
For far, far too long it seems that we have left diplomatic responsibility and the bulk of relationships in these countries to the multinational oil companies and similarly situated corporate leviathans to deal with. Beyond that, the African continent has, with certain exceptions such as South Africa and Nigeria, been left out of the massive capital investments from Europe and the Americas in the little more than a half century since these Countries have been freed from their previously tightly held imperial yoke. The folly in that has been coming home to roost for some time now.
Why do we continue to provide billions upon billions of dollars to the autocratic regime in Egypt, and the nascent religio-fascist Likud in Israel, but provide a pittance to African countries such as Niger?!? The profits to be made by the constant rattling of the drums of war might have something to do with it.
Beyond that, why do we continue to engage so intimately with the House of Saud, especially under the ruthless, consolidated leadership of MBS, knowing that virtually every instance of what can legitimately be called Islamic extremist terrorism has been bankrolled by the Saudis??
A little over sixty years ago, unbeknownst to most Americans at the time, the CIA was instrumental in begetting the assassination of a charismatic, independence leader in the then recently liberated Congo. Patrice Lumumba was succeeded by Mobuto Sese Seku, a horrific autocrat who had no qualms selling his Country's birthright to Western business interests, as long as he got his Croesus-like cut.
"Why do we continue to provide billions upon billions of dollars to the autocratic regime in Egypt, and the nascent religio-fascist Likud in Israel, but provide a pittance to African countries such as Niger?!?"
I am not sure about Egypt, but we give a ton of money to Israel because big campaign donors here in the states want that.....so.....it gets done. It is not complicated at all.
If you look at our government more as a house of prostitution rather than a "democracy" it makes more sense right? Big donors (Johns) give campaign money to their selected targets and those targets, having received the money, do what they are told.
Not much to do with the voters really. Except, those getting big campaign donations can run ads non-stop to get votes and others cannot.
But it is the Responsibility of every citizen to research for whom he is voting and to look carefully at each record. It’s not rocket science. It may be only the top few that each of us can check, but it’s the top few that set the tone.
Way back in 2016, I was very careful as to what I posted in comment sections on Yahoo. I did was very non-political. Any article about the upcoming election, I'd post something along the lines of: don't vote for anyone that someone else tells you to vote for. Look up each candidate's OFFICIAL website and read their platform. No candidate will be 100% perfect for you, so determine WHICH issues are most important to you and vote for the candidate that best matches your interests. At the time, I had also discovered a website that would mention about ten important issues and you chose which answer you preferred. (think "chocolate, vanilla or strawberry ice cream? You pick one. The answers you gave then selected which candidate to vote for. To make sure it didn't push a certain candidate, I tried it several times, varying my responses, and I DID get the dump a few times, Hilary for others)
You would not believe the NASTY replies I received! I did not once mention either side. I would then look into the post history of the nasty ones, and swear this it true:
I wish there had to be some sort of way to make sure only INFORMED voters could cast a vote. Too many vote strictly by party, position on the ballot, or name recognition.
Puts me to wondering how much African development that benefits Africans could be done by ethical venture capitalists, country by country, also in a Pan-American way.
Daniel, it is important for our nation to be involved in as many places as possible so that we can actually see what is going on in our world. I think the major problem is "humanity itself". If we send people to serve within a country anywhere....are they of good character or are they of the nature to use their position for self-serving gain? Of course that includes the CIA, our military leaders.....really any organization that has selfish intentions and is not being checked by its superiors or even more unfortunate may be encouraged to use their situation in a destructive manner.
We as humans have a very difficult time in thinking, "What decisions...actions are going to be better for THESE people? In what ways can we encourage them to lead their country for the improved lives of all its people? Once more treating others as "less than"..."I know better" is a common evil human trait. It takes a great amount of love, patience...a getting to know and understand people and their culture, that most of us don't choose to have time to give...."
Okay, I must come across as a know-it-all--I promise, I am not. I did just travel to Zambia, however AND I read up considerably on Wagner. So, no, Wagner has NOT been in Niger. It has been, frankly, valiant effort by Niger to resist them. Niger was also one of only FOUR African nations to vote to for the UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine (Zambia, Nigeria and Botswana were the others). That's out of 50 countries, BTW. Not only the coups in BF and Mali (currently one of the most dangerous places on earth), but also political-economic support in Cameroon (to their south). The pressure on them has been immense. I completely dismiss Prigozhin's comments--they are PR/propaganda at a crucial time for him. I have seen zero evidence of Wagner involvement in this coup. Niger could REALLY use some US support right now... but of course, our House is full of fasci--er, regressives who don't even want to help Ukraine.
It's sad that we can't leave one stone unturned. If there's any vacuum , it is quickly filled by extremists and terrorists. I'm glad we're paying attention to countries in Africa. Russia and China certainly are.
I recently saw a photo of downtown Nairobi. It looked like Shanghai - many architecturally fantastic buildings. I haven’t been there for a dozen years, but when I was last there only a few “skyscrapers” filled the horizon. China’s Belt and Road initiative very visibly at work. In my humble opinion, grain would be more valuable. As well as a vigorous attempt to combat climate change.
Yeah, but who do you think owns those Chinese “investments”? Gives China a legal foothold in all those countries plus a justification for doing things later to “protect” their investments...
Indeed it is. I first visited in 1995 on what I expected to be a once in a lifetime trip. I fell in love with the country, the people and the animals. I begged and borrowed so that I could return. It’s magical, but Nairobi has become a dangerous city with a huge smog problem. I don’t believe they have any emissions standards.
Yep. This shows what happens when no attention is paid to the environment. Nairobi is touted as a relatively modern city. I'm sure they're way behind us in appetite to address air quality. The U.S. has the means and the appetite save for a powerful few who won't be affected. Thanks for sharing.
Putin is a monster, to state the obvious. When you demonstrate your “strength” as a leader by starving people, you deserve the horrible fate that awaits you.
Yes, I was going to mention that as well. Russia’s MO is starving it’s own people-see Stalin’s history - Timothy Snyder’s book Bloodlands is a good start-so, starving other country’s people is not a stretch at all.
Heather, I'd love your take on the current status of countries that were colonized or dominated by France. Several seem to endure ongoing corruption and chaos - Niger, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Mali. Does this have anything to do with how France governed and exploited the indigenous people?
Don't exclude, England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, etc. None of the "colonizers" whether in Africa the Americas, Asia, or the Pacific Islands were benevolent or "good". They invaded these countries for profit, not charity. Even us, although we rebelled against colonization in our own country, that didn't stop us in Fiji, Guam, Puerto Rico, etc. People of power always justify their greed by showing how they "opened the doors of civilization" Unfortunately we Caucasians seem to have a propensity for enforcing our presence.
One of the tragedies of the Caribbean is that Haiti, which was the first country to overthrow its colonial rulers, was isolated because people feared the revolution would spread. The French are solely responsible.
Prog, I prefer to blame the British for most of the colonialization nonsense. They had the most ships. However, there were Italians, Spaniards, Dutch as well. The list goes on. In the end, we got whatever we got and have to deal with it NOW so the chaos does not reach our shores. That is our gubmints first job. Can't solve the world's problems because we can't even solve our own, imo. End of rant. Peace.
Thank you so much for explaining why this story was at the top priority of BBC news and then also featured on NPR. With all the heat and humidity of the day I was not very receptive and my husband tried to explain the geography of the area. I trust Blinken’s leadership but despite all our dollar aid, it appears that Russia’s brutal and insidious efforts combined with the effects of climate change are taking over. Thank you for your concise explanation about why this matters.
Sounds like some people think the resources of Niger are ripe for the plucking, and the wannabe oligarchs are flocking there like vultures. Part of the huge difficulty is the enormous population of kids combined with the enormous lack of adequate or nutritious food: if you were 14 and you and your family were hungry or starving, and had been for months or years, wouldn't you consider allying yourself with someone who fed you, and who made it possible for you to feed your siblings, regardless of what such a person might do to people not members of your family, or expect you to do in return? And if your "work" for this person included becoming some sort of radical, and they gave you a gun as well as food and probably clothes and shoes and maybe even money, well, what of it? Extreme poverty is dehumanizing, and if neither your parents nor your government could provide food or opportunities to work for pay so you could purchase the necessities of life, then as a rational actor you'd turn to someone who could feed you, and did.
As terrible as the situation is in Niger, do we really think it's realistic to expect "strongmen" and their minions to remain committed to democracy, however much food their country is getting from the US, and however despicable Russia's actions are in destroying tens of thousands of grains of wheat destined for their country, when with Russia's help, by and through Wagner, they can receive weaponry and manpower to make a power grab and the road to untold riches possible?
Love the work and "term" of Matthew Desmond the "Poverty Abolitionist," as it is true poverty is 'dehumanizing," as you say, Lynn. His book, Poverty, by America, is worth hearing about, 25 min
Seems to me to be one more piece of collateral damage from climate change. Would not be surprised if the coup blamed the Pres of Niger for starvation, thirst, heat, allegiance to those who can't or won't do anything real about turning around the CO2 pollution. Every power hungry fascist needs a scapegoat. We humans are in for a lot of misery and escape attempts from insufferably unlivable areas, no matter how many razor wire rafts we float, no matter how far north we live. And when we are crowded together, we behave just like rats in overcrowded cages do. They, and we, eat each other.
The Russians DESTROYED 60 thousand tons of grain bound for hungry Africa? How is this not a crime against humanity?
If Putin leaves Russia will he be arrested and taken to the Hague?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/russian-drones-destroy-grain-warehouses-ukraine-danube-ports
I would agree that putin's actions are adding to his long list of war crimes and crimes against humanity. 60,000 tons of grain would possibly feed a quarter million people for a year (maybe someone can verify this number). And the foxy criminal has invited leaders of African nations to St Petersburg, so he does not have to leave his country, as he would and should be arrested immediately when caught outside the Russian borders
This is how mass starvation happens.
... 'food terrorism', as the Guardian calls it.
This is a form of genocide. This Russia -Wagner Group is disarming. Coups just continue to roll along.. And the UN is passe because it does not have an impact on any of these military terrorist and humanitarian devastations. How many countries are now autocratic regimes. This is sad news to end the week.
Russia is an old hand at the business of mass starvation; they did to Ukrainians before in history.
Many Russians and Kazakhs died during the same period. Urban political functionaries never understand what they are doing when they take over farms and ranches, especially in the midst of an environmental disaster. The drought that hit America during that same time, was really a global event - the first real harbinger of climate change. Putin destroying all that grain now is another indicator of how unhinged he has become, and how little he knows or cares about the history of the regions he wishes to rule.
Meredith, we do not need to allow Putin to control this situation. We can find other ways to work with our allies to provide grain from Ukraine to the nations who usually receive this life saving food supply. It may be more expensive with Ukraine's earnings less but together we can do it. We can work together to use a variety of transport to get grain to those who need it.
Putin's actions only reveal his desperation to control what he cannot. Those of us who believe in freedom can prevail by caring about this situation and our fellow humans.... by working together, using our expertise in transport opportunities we can defeat this plan. We must have the will. Freedom is not free!!! We must work hard together to help Niger (and others) maintain a free government.
The free world is itself a family...always working to be better....working against our own innate "bad, selfish character" for a goal that is bigger and better than ourselves. We need one another .... to continue pulling up one another....it does not just happen!!!!
We must consider that we can be negatively effected. When one part of our earth is in trouble ....we feel it in some way. We must work together to defeat those who want to take from the weaker or vulnerable ones for their own selfish gain.
Yes.
Ukraine doesn't send grain to Africa, but Russia does.
Read "Execution by Hunger -- the Hidden Holocaust" by Miron Dolot and be aware of the reality of the forced starvation of the Ukrainians because they were Ukrainians while Russia had no famine and Ukrainians were not allowed to go to Russia (unless they were being deported to Russia concentration camps in the north). This is internationally recognized as the Holodomor during which millions of Ukrainians were deliberately starved to death after all their food supplies were taken from them and all their resources to procure food, their bodies in the fields where they searched for potato pieces or along the roads as they tried to go to the cities to find sustenance offered in the foreign markets.
Horrible and sickening. Russia has been known to be ruthless and careless with lives. Russia lost more lives in WWII that Germany did. In the battle of Leningrad (which was of no real significance) Hitler wanted it because it was named after Lenin. Stalin refused to let the Germans have it because the city has his name on it. Over a million Russians died for this useless battle.
They drug their present soldiers to go into suicide missions. They do not care for their soldiers.
The Holodomor is also recounted in Timothy Snyder's book Bloodlands.
Stalin did it to BOTH Russians and Ukrainians who refused to collectivize. Stalin wasn't even Russian: He was Georgian.
Holdomor 1932-33 Ukraine
Putin is a true son of Stalin. Once a KGB/Stasi, always a Stalin.
If there was yet another reason to deny Putin's ambitions, it would be this - control over Ukraine (or any other nation) means the opportunity to directly murder by execution, and export to labor camps and work to death, and starve, its population - just like Stalin did. I can envision labor camps in which Ukrainians are forced to clear minefields, to farm huge collective farms without access to the food they grow there, and to reconstruct the infrastructure Putin and his orcs have destroyed - under threat of either being murdered immediately or being starved to death. "Arbeit macht frei" redux, anyone?
Exactly Ted.
Do you think that these military or rogue gangs grab control of the food/ medical aid and it never gets to where it is supposed to go?
Marli, to deprive 250 thousand people for a year of food, is just mind boggling. I believe you 100%.
At least a majority of those African leaders were far more "foxy" and did not manage to attend Putin's little enclave!
The destroyed Ukrainian grain wasn't bound for Africa. Only 2% of Ukrainian grain exports have gone to Africa. The biggest importers are China,Turkey and Spain:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333847/ukrainian-agricultural-exports-via-the-black-sea-by-country/#:~:text=China%20was%20the%20leading%20export,Spain%2C%20while%20Turkey%20ranked%20third.
While IMO war itself is a "war crime", everything putin is now doing is most certainly crimes against humanity. I would like nothing more than to see Special Prosecutor Jack Smith resume his role at The Hague and have at putin after he is done with trump!
Yes, please. Terminate TheRump's threat to American democracy, then take on Putin's crimes against humanity; stop this modern-day Stalin in his tracks.
I see Putin as a KGB thug. Cold War throwback that never moved on.
Hopefully so, Annabel. Or, maybe he can book a double bunk at Leavenworth as his buddy Trump will be there before we can count to 11, 780 votes!
Good laugh, thanks Daniel
But none of this is funny. It’s deadly serious
It definitely is deadly serious!
Jack Smith sort of radiates the impression that he will not suffer fools gladly:
“I think this original indictment was engineered to last a thousand years and now this superseding indictment will last an antiquity,” Ty Cobb told CNN. “This is such a tight case, the evidence is so overwhelming.”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jul/28/trump-lawyer-charges-1000-years-mar-a-lago
lol
I’ve always said Putin and TFG should be cell mates! They’d make a lovely couple in matching orange outfits.
Denise H: And they are so fond of each other!! A match made in ......
Hell?
What would trump do without a female to harass?
Denise H. - "I’ve always said Putin and TFG should be cell mates!"
FWIW, it is quite doubtful that Trump would (or will ever) see the inside of a jail cell.
"𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥, 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵? 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦-𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘪 𝘚𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘰, 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘥."
https://www.nickiswift.com/1349522/donald-trump-no-match-federal-prison-convicted-expert/
lol
Good laugh!
I do believe that is why he does not travel outside of certain countries. Something like an open arrest warrant applies... you won't see him anywhere in Europe, and he won't be attending any meetings at the UN.
He’s locked inside his 6.6 million square mile prison.
With his food tasters and bodyguards, for the half of Russia that would just as soon see him in a coffin.
Unspeakable action on Putin’s part. But what a relief to read about Niger, to learn so much in a wonderfully written letter from Heather. And what a relief to not have seen a certain name I will not mention. I hope the military coup will fail in Niger. A true setback for their young, fragile democracy. I am going to my maps to see exactly where Niger is! Thank you, Heather! Have a great weekend.
I learned a lot in this letter, including how ignorant I am.
Michael, I now know where Niger is and the countries that surround it. I want to memorize the map of Africa to deal with my ignorance.
Elisabeth, I had the greatest history teacher in 6th grade, then another in 12th grade. I loved drawing maps and studying many of the countries in the world. Africa was always so mysterious.
The building of the pyramids and the amazing use and the understanding of the rising of the water of the Nile river in order to transport materials was so impressive. Also the various tribes and peoples in other areas, the way they lived and worshiped....I loved it. I also enjoyed learning about the powerful waterfalls as well as the amazing variety of animals and birds...etc.
This continent and its people should be the ones to receive the blessings of its abundance.....not robbers and thieves who only want personal gain!!!
Love this description of Africa, such abundance as you say, Emily! But they are thwarted and terrorized by "robbers and thieves" like Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenaries.
Beautiful comment. My best friend from 1974 is married to a man from Rwanda and we have close friends from Ethiopia. I have a Jewish friend in S. Africa. I want to visit as soon as possible in the coming years. All of Africa is my "bucket list"!
Same. Until I read “Americanah,” I didn’t know that Nigeria had a coastline or that Lagos was a coastal city.
Niger and Nigeria are two different countries.
Niger is landlocked and surrounded by important, powerful countries.
Same here, Michael. I increased my knowledge of Niger by 98%.
Me too!
You’re not the only one
We are fortunate that we spent 3 years in Sierra Leone in the Peace Corps (and were married in Freetown) and I was in Sierra Leone before that for six months of study abroad. Since i taught African history while I was there, I have a good idea of where places are and the geography of the continent. I also understand to a degree how the politics work there and the long effect of colonialism. Much later we were lucky to win a trip to South Africa. In our PC days during the summer we couldn't leave the continent of Africa, but we couldn't go to South Africa then because of apartheid. So we ended up going to Egypt with a few days in northern Nigeria. A lot has changed in Africa since then although a lot of things remain the same, including frail governments and various countries eager to exploit Africa's natural resources.
Colonialism, Michele, plus "frail governments and various countries eager to exploit Africa's natural resources," especially China.
And the Wagner group.
Me too!
The destroyed Ukrainian grain wasn't bound for Africa. Only 2% of Ukrainian grain exports have gone to Africa. The biggest importers are China,Turkey and Spain:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333847/ukrainian-agricultural-exports-via-the-black-sea-by-country/#:~:text=China%20was%20the%20leading%20export,Spain%2C%20while%20Turkey%20ranked%20third.
Though Putin faces crimes against humanity, authoritarians mostly don't travel outside their country. Compounded by fear, Putin has made less trips or none at all to other countries.
But, Africa seems to have remained as a battleground for superpowers that want to flex their power muscles and project themselves as powerful. Russia hosted the Africa-Summit recently to entice African countries and promise goodies in terms of securities and resources and often with no conditions. On the other hand, US comes with grants and aids to Africa but on condition that they adhere to Western values. In short Africa is up for grabs among US, Russia, China and EU.
However, Africa-Russia Summit had lowest attendance for the first time. This was partly contributed by the President of Kenya William Ruto who said that Africa must first reorganise itself before attending any Summit and demand that they must be treated as equals. He suggested that Africa must look for its own solutions especially in terms of security. The Wagner Group has messed with regimes by supporting rebels in exchange for economic resources.
NB/ let me condemned the coup carried out by the military in Niger after the first democratic transition of power in 2011. This is barbaric and further escalates the already fragile democratic situation. Both parties must cease to using undemocratic means and put the country first.
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I have long thought that most, if not all, the solutions to the challenges faced by African nations already exists in the minds of Africans themselves. Ruto's statement of Africa first recognizing itself is the best articulation of this I've ever heard. The challenges are immense and diverse - but then so is Africa.
He seems to understand that the more Africa seeks outside solutions, the more it comes with unwanted and systematic problems that takes time to root out. Consider, Wagner Group, mercenaries associated with Russia. It positions itself as a provider of securiry solutions, but the long term impacts are disastrous. Look at Mali, Chad, and 2 days ago, Niger has had coup. At the same time, they extract resources away from Africa.
I have always felt that there are certain prerequisites of nationhood, more specifically (1) logical borders such as mountain ranges or bodies of warter, (2) natural or human resources sufficient to support a viable economy, (3) an ethnic, religious, or linguistic commonality of its population, making it distinct from those of neigboring areas, and (4) a sufficent number of educated people, dedicated to and capable of, effectively managing it as a nation. It appears to me that lack of even one of these can lead to instability and a neo-colonial dependence on outside powers, or a takeover, usually claimed to be, but rarely, temporary, by whoever controls the military or by the military itself. This seems to be the problem in Niger and elsewhere in Africa, if not the world.
Maaslow’s hierarchy of needs comes to mind.
On a individual psychological level, yes. But applying Maslow to nationhood is a stretch.
True. Those parameters are essential for democracy and a civilised nation.
That is why thirteen individual colonies succeeded in forming one United States of America two and a half centuries ago. They had the Atlantic Ocean as a natural border, plenty of natural resources, a homogeneous population, racially White, speaking English, and following Christianity, and many well educated people. Meeting these prerequisites was not hampered by the new nation's shortcomings, particularly slavery, which ended in 1865, the echoes of which some see as a threat to its homogeneous nature, even today, as its population becomes more heterogeneous.
Edwin, another knowledgeable poster has told us that the Wagner group has not been known to be in Niger and Niger is standing strong for democracy.
After Prigozhin’s revolt and withdrawal from Ukraine, it would not be surprising to see a change or growth in their mission in Africa, especially because Putin is vindictive and angry. I would not be surprised to see him suddenly pivot and target fledgling democracies, in addition to their current interest in lucrative resources.
Sure. It seems this has given an impetus for Wagner Group to relaunch itself to further benefit from unstable democracies in Africa, even if they may not have been involved in Niger.
...and the US doesn't?
Good for Kenya William Ruto. And thank you Edwin for keeping us informed.
Thank you. William Ruto didn't attend and its resolution to restructure the power of Africa seems to be taking off with most African countries boycotting Africa-Russia Summit. I am sure in the next months ,he will organise for a meeting with African countries. While in Paris, he expressed dissatisfaction with the financial infrastructure that sets Africa into debt by saying that the continent pays its debt 8 times more than developed countries.
Edwin, the NYT published data that there were more than 30 empty transport ships anchored at the mouth of the Danube waiting to ship grain when Putin attacked. What is the impact on African nations?
Of course, this will have a huge impact on Africa considering that Ukraine has had agreements with some African countries to supply grains. Africa might face shortage of grains in the short-term but I am sure other countries fighting for a space in African Market might jump in and take advantage to supply grains. Russia only wanted to outwit Ukraine out of Africa just like it is doing to US.
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Putin, charged with war crimes...is unable to travel without risk. His safe travel is restricted. Many nations are obliged to arrest him and turn him over to the World Court.
Which is why he didn't attend the BRICS summit in South Africa earlier this year.
Correct.
What was Putin's childhood like?
Putin grew up in the ruins of post-war Leningrad, a city scarred by a brutal 900-day siege during the Second World War. Putin’s mother, Maria, almost died of starvation while his father was away fighting.
https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/world-news/961071/how-putins-childhood-casts-a-shadow-over-his-life
A very large number of people emitted from WWII having lived through horror, starvation, having seen mass slaughter and torture, incarceration. Seriously.
Take a look at the Netflix short documentary "The Last Days".
A very large number of those people went on to live close to normal lives without causing pain for others.
Putin is just a nasty bully. Nothing to do with his childhood. Too many people have thrown off the horror of their WW II experience and gone on to productive, loving lives to give Putin an excuse for his nasty.
He is just nasty. He enjoys nasty. He is evil. Nothing to do with WW II.
I watched this documentary last night, as you mentioned it earlier this week. Highly recommend “The Last Days”. It is the story from 5 different people who survived the concentration camp, Auschwitz. Truly moving to see their love of life after living this horror. I have visited Dacchau - but hearing people’s 1st hand account of the atrocities is the best learning we can have of learning from history- and understanding how vile the Greed of Man can be.
Laurie,
Very good! I found "The Last Days" both very sad and very encouraging. How people could go through so much horror and still end up being kind humans with soft spoken voices showing their love for humanity.
It really affected me. I am glad you liked it.
I am not sure I could visit those places btw. I was in Germany briefly with my kids long ago and we did not.
About 11 years ago, I read a book written by a Holocaust survivor. I subsequently read many, many more - over 75 - mostly first hand accounts and some just about WWII. The will to survive was absolutely amazing to me as was their ability to pick up the pieces and go on with a "normal" life after surviving all of that trauma. The one thing that stuck out to me and that I think about a lot, is how food was used to slowly, tortiously, kill so many people. One person wrote about being very close to death in the infirmary of a concentration camp. Someone slipped him an onion - just one onion - and he credited that one onion with his survival. I will try to watch "The Last Days" this weekend. Thank you for the recommendation.
We visited Auschwitz while on a tour of eastern Europe. It was a tough and the energy there hangs like a black pall. I have never been anywhere else quite like it, not even Robbins Island in South Africa. It was also a gray day adding to the somberness. Although the Germans tried to destroy the ovens before the Russians got there, there is one intact near where the camp commander lived with his family which I think was a prototype for the ones across the way where you can see the railroad that took people to their deaths.
I saw the documentary too. (The night before I watched “Till”—two nights in a row of deep sadness.) I have also been to Auschwitz/Birkenau. I commented yesterday to friends that man’s Inhumanity is boundless.
The Auschwitz exhibit at the Reagan Library is quite powerful, especially the interviews of survivors placed throughout.
The dedication of land, skills, work, time and energy to produce grain being heartlessly destroyed is beyond terrible: wasting resources that could help people survive.......Putin will stop at nothing to succeed in his illegal war and destruction of Ukraine.
Yes.
The grain wasn't bound for Africa.
Source, please.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333847/ukrainian-agricultural-exports-via-the-black-sea-by-country/#:~:text=China%20was%20the%20leading%20export,Spain%2C%20while%20Turkey%20ranked%20third.
Thanks. Not actually surprising, but good to know. It appears that a small part of Ukrainian grain might end up anywhere, but most went to China, Spain and Turkey.
For whatever it's worth, from Pepe Escobar covering the recent Russia-Africa summit:
"Putin showed how Russia holds a 20% share of the global wheat market. In the first 6 months of 2023, it had already exported 10 million tons of grain to Africa. Now Russia will be providing Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Eritrea with 25-50 thousand tons of grain each in the next 3-4 months, for free."
"Putin detailed everything from approximately 30 energy projects across Africa to the expansion of oil and gas exports and “unique non-energy applications of nuclear technology, including in medicine”; the launching of a Russian industrial zone near the Suez Canal with products to be exported throughout Africa; and the development of Africa’s financial infrastructure, including connection to the Russian payment system."
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230729/pepe-escobar-geopolitical-chessboard-shifts-against-us-empire--1112240929.html
That's a stupid lie. The destroyed Ukrainian grain wasn't bound for Africa. Only 2% of Ukrainian grain exports have gone to Africa. The biggest importers are China,Turkey and Spain:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1333847/ukrainian-agricultural-exports-via-the-black-sea-by-country/#:~:text=China%20was%20the%20leading%20export,Spain%2C%20while%20Turkey%20ranked%20third.
If Putin travels to a country that has signed up to the International Criminal Court (ICC), yes, he could be arrested. The US is not a signatory of the ICC.
Tragic to see the Wagner Mercenaries active in a mineral rich area. I hope the Democracy can survive. So many problems already due to inequity. Indeed, a volatile part of the world.
With only a few exceptions (Mostly Norway) that I am aware of, resource extraction seems to breed economic asymmetry, and with it despotic distribution of power. That's enough in itself to be exploring greener, less centralized energy production. Fossil fuel producers have for too long had the world over a barrel. Concentration of any sort of coercive power tends to corrupt, and how much suffering and conflict around the world is due to this. Would the US have bothered to bomb Iraq if their primary export had been cabbages?
"Would the US have bothered to bomb Iraq if their primary export had been cabbages?"
Probably not but who knows? We bombed Vietnam for 20 years for nothing at all. Well, initially we were trying to stop Ho Chi Minh from throwing off the yoke of French Colonialism and keep the Vietnamese people under the Colonial thumb.
But, after a while, not even very long, we were just bombing to bomb. There was no real reason. Perhaps we just had men with poor judgement in leadership here?
Perhaps the American War Machine gobbling up money makes certain corporations very rich....
Which is why Republicans have no trouble boosting military spending while they consider social programs a waste.
Wars keep the weapons manufactures in business. Money is the reason.
We do not like to think about those things. That is why voting is so important. Deep down we knew Nixon and Bush/Chaney we were not for peace. If Afghanistan had really been a democracy would it have been so easy for the Taliban to come back? And why did we attack Iran and not Saudi Arabia? My thought at the time DJT made his mad bargain was, "too bad Obama had so much hope for them. We stayed too long past our welcome."
We cannot afford to attack in words or military Saudi Arabia; the Royal Family have the most 💰💰💰on planet Earth made from fossil fuels of which they have the most as well. Bite the hand that lines our pockets? They can get away with monstrous human rights abuses bombing Yemen over religious differences, taking out all the infrastructure, starving innocent people. Murdered and mutilated Jamal Khashoggi suffered no consequences, a reporter for the Washington Post. According to Trump at the time, of course, “they are very fine people.” Let’s not forget they get their weapons from the USA! Our military industrial complex has jobs because of the atrocities committed by the Saudi Regime. Definition of corruption at the highest level. Makes me physically ill; but the status quo will never change.
Did I leave out the most aggregious of all? The trained in the USA Saudi pilots that took down the World Trade Centers and attacked the Pentagon on 09/11/2001? Had it not been for the heroic intervention of the passengers aboard flight #93 that awful day, a fourth plane would have taken down the White House or Capitol. Sure, very fine people. Trump’s friends.
Yes indeed and Jared Kushner swung a sweet deal with the Saudi's for billions$$$ for his ill conceived "hedge fund" start-up. Follow the money my friends.
NEVER FORGET; how does that phrase go? Keep your friends close but your enemies CLOSER.
Don't forget keeping women as chattel. That we continue to maintain a "friendly" relationship with Saudi Arabia, says a lot about how we think about women.
How could I have momentarily overlooked that obvious DESPICABLE characteristic of Saudi behavior? Thanks for filling in that gap!
"As we move toward the celebration 2 years from now of the 200th anniversary of this Nation's independence, let us press vigorously on toward the goal I announced last November for Project Independence. Let this be our national goal: At the end of this decade, in the year 1980, the United States will not be dependent on any other country for the energy we need to provide our jobs, to heat our homes, and to keep our transportation moving. To indicate the size of the Government commitment, to spur energy research and development, we plan to spend $10 billion in Federal funds over the next 5 years. " - Richard Nixon (THAT Richard Nixon)
Agreed. Yes, I'm sure they decided the price was too high. I think it was a bad decision. In many ways Osama got what he wanted ...he did a lot of damage here. If you get a chance you might be interested in Steve Schmidt's substack post today. It was excellent.
Interesting you mention Iraq. I lived in Niger for a time in the early 2000's and saw the effect 9/11 and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had on the country. The American embassy, like in many countries, had been turned into a fortress and outreach (like English and other classes, lending libraries, etc.) throughout the country had been seriously cut back or eliminated. Nigeriens I met, who had benefited from these programs, realized the loss for their children and the country as a whole. And around this time, while we were wasting trillions on two wars, China increased its presence. Almost overnight it went from an embassy the size of a small house into its own fortress and they began building a bridge in Niamey (2006 or 2007 I think), but not with local workers who could have greatly benefited from the work and helped the local economy, but with (reportedly) Chinese prisoners who were watched by armed guards. Niger, a desperately poor but beautiful country -- with uranium! -- has not, over time, been served well by the French, Americans, Chinese and now whomever is involved in this recent coup.
Unlike the harsh "reparations" forced upon Germany after WW l that arguably helped the NAZIs take power, the US deployed the ally-building Marshall Plan, that among other things, blunted Soviet influence in injured states. I have wondered if even a decent share of money literally wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan had been successfully improved the lot of those nation's citizens if we would now have more friends and influence?
Likely!
The "Domino Theory" seemed MTG-like word-salad from the get-go. I think the Vietnam War was part and parcel of a swing back to disinforming and manipulating the electorate, which the "Pentagon Papers" laid wide open. Between the Spanish-American War and Iraq Part II, mass media had been doing some critical reporting and thinking, which government policies had encouraged. The massive death toll in Vietnam utterly lacked the necessity of our fight against the Axis.
Mike, McNamara's The Fog of War explains your last sentence in some respects.
Those who see war as an asset seem keen to deploy smoke screens around their true agenda.
And they seem to think nothing of sending people into the carnage to kill other people and then not providing the injured with enough support once they return. It's unconscionable that elites keep sending other people's children to war, for ideology, and profit. How do so many sociopaths bubble to the top?
I suppose that part of it is that "the top". total domination, is all they care about. But its weird how so many, often far worse for it, support their ambitions.
JL, yes for sure. And what is so troubling to me is the lack of thoughtfulness consideration involving those folks who are the decision makers when it comes to people's lives. With Vietnam there was a treadmill and only after 30 years McNamara saw it. I don't know how we can do better but we should.
I have never understood what the Vietnam War was supposed to accomplish. The rationale shared with the public always seemed absurd. The trouble with self-government is the amount of effort it takes to become informed and think things through, or else it's not really self government.
It seems to me that there are recognizable patterns of behavior which are clearly appealing to human beings into which we would be wise not to slip. Is there a more compelling way to draw attention to that than we have applied up to now? I sure hope so. How much human misery is collectively "self-imposed" and what is our potential for mutually empowering, responsible societies; liberty and justice, as far as we can manage it, for all?
With so much of Niger becoming desert yearly wouldn't it make sense to be producing energy sun-energy farms for the rest of Africa?
And assuming that is somehow practical, would it not be in our own best interest to help out?
Good question, Robin.
Good question.
That is exactly why they are there!
Judith, I hope OUR Democracy can survive!!!
Oh yes, that goes without saying........actually it is THE GOAL WE MUST ACHIEVE; did not mention, getting redundant in the conversation. Or “fascism”will overtake us, the narrative of all stated or unstated rhetoric every day.
One more hot potato for Biden to juggle, while Kevin McCarthy kowtows to the fringe of the GOP and talks of impeachment and the villainous Mitch McConnell freezes up in front of the cameras. How much more incompetent can the Republicans be with their active crusade against doing anything about climate change. You can get the attention of an ass with a well-placed two-by-four, making the ass more intelligent than most Republicans.
Mitch’s freeze moment looked like either a TIA - close to a stroke - or an epileptic fugue moment, both definitely needing medical attention and observation.
He's had a recent brain injury (concussion). Healing from those takes a lot of time and energy, especially for older folks. McConnell and his aids probably thought he was ready for business as usual once he looked okay - clearly he is not.
Just think,
John Adams was 45 when he drafted the Massachusetts Constitution. The world's oldest functioning written constitution.
https://www.mass.gov/guides/john-adams-the-massachusetts-constitution
Can all these old geriatric folks we have in government now lead like that? I seriously doubt it.
80 years old is too old to be doing a job that billions of people count on being done well.
btw: I am a huge fan of John Adams and recommend everyone read Catherine Drinker Bowens biography of him. If you want to get a clear window into the formation of our current governmental system, and, the early goings on, that book is the best book I have read at least.
I don't recommend McCollough's book. Or, rather, read it AFTER reading Bowen's book. His book skips the early stuff that Bowen covers and is also not as interesting to read.
Mike, someday you will be 80 years old....do you want to have all your years of acquired knowledge and experience "dissed" just for having become "80"?
President Joe Biden AND HIS AMAZING TEAM have saved this country and contributed to Democracy around the world. He has healed broken relationships !
We need to regain respect for our elders and for their wisdom!!!
Exactly, Emily! He has a wealth of experience from all his years in office and wisdom that comes w that experience. He has chosen smart experienced advisors and team members, what it takes to be a world leader in foreign and domestic matters!
John Adams was 45 when he wrote the Massachusetts constitution ? In those days 45 was definitely not young. It was definitely the end of the line for a majority of the people. Women especially. Democrats have a definite problem with Biden’s age perhaps as large as the Republicans have with Trumps criminality. Biden has been an incredibly successful President and Obama was mistaken when he chose Clinton over him prior to 2016. But with Mitch McConnell’s “ freeze” and the pity when one sees a greatly diminished Diane Feinstein I worry that we are all trying to wish President Biden’s age away. I speak from experience as I am 84 and generally “tired”. I am not in bad shape but I definitely do not have the energy and stamina I had when I was 64. That is a fact of life and can be managed by careful scheduling of one’s resources. But perception is everything in a presidential campaign and the President appears to be old.
Biden has done an extraordinary job with all the challenges he has faced. Anyone making his age an issue just doesn’t want to see the world continue to become a kinder more loving place. Period!
“"If you take a room full of 80-year-olds, 15% are frail and vulnerable," Walston says. "Sixty percent have some health problems that are slowing them down. The rest are robust and active."
"What drives some people toward frailty and others toward resiliency?" he asks. "For the group in the middle, the 60% that you can't quite tell, we're trying to tease out how to make those determinations. We need to understand the aging-related biologic changes better in order to improve health trajectories in older adults."”
https://hub.jhu.edu/2023/03/22/understanding-why-we-age-differently/
People around Feinstein and McConnell should be strongly pressuring them to step down. They have OBVIOUS health issues effecting their abilities. Voters need to be more engaged and pay better attention. Dark money needs to go so voters can know what’s true without working so hard at it.
And tfg isn't all that far behind Biden. I am of two minds about Biden. He's been so effective, thus far, and seems in remarkably good shape for an 80 year old man, but he is old. If he is re-elected and can't finish his second term, however, we would finally have a woman as president.
You don't have his staff... 😏
I think Biden is doing a good job and would go down in history as truly visionary if he were to resign now. I trust KH and his administration can keep up the good work. I also think he should endorse his pick for the next president (not KH) and let the primary decide. I think he should pick an African American candidate (Jeffries?). The drama alone would end the torment of his son and collapse the repugnant party. I think the drama would also shake everyone awake and Biden could retire which is what RBG should have done and Feinstein and McConnell should do for the good of our shaking democracy.
Thanks, Mary Ellen. Great solution to a problem I've puzzled over for several months. I love what Biden has done and I marvel at the bold moves he makes almost daily! Surely, he will go down in history as a visionary, as you say. If he endorsed a successor who is popular, Jefferies, e.g., as you sugest, it would make many dems feel better about voting in itself. It would be dramatic to see Biden standing with that successor on a podium while campaigning and passing on the torch to the next generation!
Ok, but the biggest idiots, granted all Republicans, are young...so it's not an age issue. I adore Jamie Raskin, but he is in poor health ( hopefully it is arrested) so it's not always a concern just because the person is old. The older house democrats have handed the reins to the younger democrats and they are doing a great job, but they were prepared by Nancy and shown the way. Who prepared McCarthy - who looks upon MTG with the doe eyes of a teenager? It's not age. Good character, brains, clever, ernest...those are the important traits.
A glitch in the matrix.
Another possibility, IMHO, Mitch was thinking about saying trmp is a crook and you are all acting insane. Barrasso quickly took him away for more brainwashing.
What does IMHO stand for please?
In my humble opinion
Yes, I though TIA as well. He is up there in age. It doesn't look like he's taking this as a signal that he has to step down. The more worrisome question, is if he does step down what horrible person will take his place?
Certainly an ass would have made a more beneficent president than Trump, and brayed far less as well.
JL, there you go again with your amazing, one of a kind descriptions!
Dangerously worthless
McCarthy and his crew are trivia talkers.
As always, fascinating details that flesh out the broad strokes of world events. Fascinating and distressing! Thank you for you good work, Dr. Richardson!
Exactly Meredith, reading this (and every HCR letter) feels like taking a class in world history and global politics. I actually skimmed and skipped the NYT headline about Niger yesterday thinking... “I don’t know enough about the region to know the significance of a coup.” So glad to be enlightened by the professor once again.
Loved the quote from the protester...“We are here to show the people that we are not happy about this movement going on, just to show these military people that they can’t just take the power like this…. We are a democratic country, we support democracy and we don’t need this kind of movement."
Rolyac, I hope this support prevails.
It’s remarkable that the US military, so far, hasn’t participated in a coup. I wonder how long this can last. The ranks below colonel are permeated with Trumpian autocrats, and the general officers aren’t immune, either (the infamous Flynns for example). In the Air Force, it goes all way to the top. (The Doolittle/ LeMay/ Strangelove legacy?) It’s a miracle, and a credit to the organization, that the top brass has continued to honor the oath of office.
God, that's a scary thought, Rex. What makes it scarier is that while that once would have sounded unreasonable, and it is still on the fringes or possibility, it is still a possibility
and, our biggest US military bases are in the SOUTH.
Yep.
The military, the police, churches, all have MAGAts galore. All in awe of the ugliest and most deliberately ignorant man alive. Are we in quicksand?
Jeri, I believe there is an argument now, based on lawsuits, etc., that FOX is unreliable as a source of "news". There might be FCC complaints in that regard. Perhaps "news" should be removed from their corp name? I would suggest FOX should not be regarded as a source for our troops due to past history.
Fox has been nothing but propaganda since day ONE. Should NEVER have had News in their name. They even claim to be entertainment. Ex service man I knew about 12 years ago said that MSNBC had been on tv on base until Fox came along, then on all tvs on base. That should have been outlawed. But W/Dickie ruled at that time.
YouTube has an amazing number of videos supporting a problem with policing. In many ways the Middle Ages were safer, more peaceful and certainly less rushed than the United States of today.
Oh yes, the Middle Ages. Smelly, diseased, toiling all day to make rent. Surviving
marauding armies. Torture as an accepted punishment, with no legal recourse. Primitive medicine and no anesthesia. Superstition ruling the mind. Sure, the middle ages were great.
Not as many people and mostly serfs trying to survive. When you die at 30 of rotting teeth, you’re not likely to have a lot of energy for revolts (although they happened).
I realize the downside to the Middle Ages. I imagined life then as happenstance. Not all the bad happened to everyone.
Well I can turn that to maternal grandparents life in Newport, Virginia in 1900 to 1970. Same routine every day, same clothes, same material goods and very little expectation of change. One horse vs a tractor, a few chickens, sometimes three or four hogs and three maybe four milk cows. Neighbors were in the next hollow so no noise. I am now seventy six and from ten until maybe fourteen years of age I enjoyed exploring, porch setting and watching sunset and sunrise. My cousins and I did no farm work and only visited in the summer. I now live in a leafy neighborhood in NC and wish I had the physical and mental peace of the small dirt farm. Grandchildren are fifteen minutes away so no chance of moving.
As an old Tar Heel, I recall a childhood of a lot less chaos than I've had since I left. Didn't have much but didn't know there was so much to be had.
I remember a report years ago that at the Air Force Academy there was active proselytizing of the cadets by officers to become what was then called born-again Christians, and religious favoritism on top of that. Does anyone know more about this?
Yes. A few officers were chastised. Justice was not done with respect to cadets and non-compliant officers who were harmed. I would be extremely surprised to learn that the situation hasn’t reverted to what it it was before the scandal. It was reasonably well covered in the press so shouldn’t be to hard to track down.
Colorado Springs is also the home of Focus on the Family, James Dobson’s fundamentalist organization.
Yes, back in the nineties, my daughter was in school there, and what I heard on the radio was truly scary.
Puke on self-righteous Dobson.
Thanks for replying, Rex. This story seemed to fade away, and I've wondered at times if it really happened. Instead of looking into it more and getting more disgusted, I think I'll track down some upbeat news of people behaving well, not badly. Onward!
Does Fox Not News continue to be constantly spewing their propaganda in every public military space?
They never slowed down as far as I can tell, even after the court battle. Carlson gone but others telling the lies now
Christy, Yes, I believe FOX is standard practice on Military bases.
Any suggestions to find out why and to the whom best person to make the case to change that???
Christy, each branch most likely has their own procurement process. I am not sure how that would work for a generic communications need across all units. Could be a Joint Chiefs RFP, I suppose., and that would be Milley.
Christy, check for a digital procurement RFP.
Christy, Not really. This has been standard practice for a while now as the troops apparently like their bombastic style. Base commanders could change it if there was something else that was as entertaining, I suppose. I personally like BBC but that may be to tame for young folks. Congress could study the issue? Milley could change it.
Lots of Evangelical activity in Colorado Springs with the fundamentalist social attitudes that go along with it...
They don’t have a clue, do they.
Evening to All--
If you would allow me to riff a bit, the dismal news out of NIger should remind us all that while "big power" geopolitics plays out its usual string in our Country, and amid the familiar groupings of friends and foes throughout Europe, much of Asia and South America, we have a sort of amnesia about the African continent. I seem to remember that there was a mysterious killing of American troops a few years back in Niger when none of us were aware we had troops there, a scenario that brings back disturbing Gulf of Tonkin-like memories.
Niger is one of the tips of the spear for Boko Haram and any remnants of ISIS in sub-Saharan Africa. It, and most of the Sahel in general, have long been the intersection between Saharan Africa and the larger, southern part of the Continent in terms of trade, and cultural and religious byplay, etc.
For far, far too long it seems that we have left diplomatic responsibility and the bulk of relationships in these countries to the multinational oil companies and similarly situated corporate leviathans to deal with. Beyond that, the African continent has, with certain exceptions such as South Africa and Nigeria, been left out of the massive capital investments from Europe and the Americas in the little more than a half century since these Countries have been freed from their previously tightly held imperial yoke. The folly in that has been coming home to roost for some time now.
Why do we continue to provide billions upon billions of dollars to the autocratic regime in Egypt, and the nascent religio-fascist Likud in Israel, but provide a pittance to African countries such as Niger?!? The profits to be made by the constant rattling of the drums of war might have something to do with it.
Beyond that, why do we continue to engage so intimately with the House of Saud, especially under the ruthless, consolidated leadership of MBS, knowing that virtually every instance of what can legitimately be called Islamic extremist terrorism has been bankrolled by the Saudis??
A little over sixty years ago, unbeknownst to most Americans at the time, the CIA was instrumental in begetting the assassination of a charismatic, independence leader in the then recently liberated Congo. Patrice Lumumba was succeeded by Mobuto Sese Seku, a horrific autocrat who had no qualms selling his Country's birthright to Western business interests, as long as he got his Croesus-like cut.
That "model" has long since worn out its welcome.
"Why do we continue to provide billions upon billions of dollars to the autocratic regime in Egypt, and the nascent religio-fascist Likud in Israel, but provide a pittance to African countries such as Niger?!?"
I am not sure about Egypt, but we give a ton of money to Israel because big campaign donors here in the states want that.....so.....it gets done. It is not complicated at all.
If you look at our government more as a house of prostitution rather than a "democracy" it makes more sense right? Big donors (Johns) give campaign money to their selected targets and those targets, having received the money, do what they are told.
Not much to do with the voters really. Except, those getting big campaign donations can run ads non-stop to get votes and others cannot.
But it is the Responsibility of every citizen to research for whom he is voting and to look carefully at each record. It’s not rocket science. It may be only the top few that each of us can check, but it’s the top few that set the tone.
Way back in 2016, I was very careful as to what I posted in comment sections on Yahoo. I did was very non-political. Any article about the upcoming election, I'd post something along the lines of: don't vote for anyone that someone else tells you to vote for. Look up each candidate's OFFICIAL website and read their platform. No candidate will be 100% perfect for you, so determine WHICH issues are most important to you and vote for the candidate that best matches your interests. At the time, I had also discovered a website that would mention about ten important issues and you chose which answer you preferred. (think "chocolate, vanilla or strawberry ice cream? You pick one. The answers you gave then selected which candidate to vote for. To make sure it didn't push a certain candidate, I tried it several times, varying my responses, and I DID get the dump a few times, Hilary for others)
You would not believe the NASTY replies I received! I did not once mention either side. I would then look into the post history of the nasty ones, and swear this it true:
Every.Single.One.Of.Them came from Trump supporters.
I wish there had to be some sort of way to make sure only INFORMED voters could cast a vote. Too many vote strictly by party, position on the ballot, or name recognition.
Puts me to wondering how much African development that benefits Africans could be done by ethical venture capitalists, country by country, also in a Pan-American way.
Robin: You lost me at "ethical venture capitalists". I haven't met any.
Daniel, it is important for our nation to be involved in as many places as possible so that we can actually see what is going on in our world. I think the major problem is "humanity itself". If we send people to serve within a country anywhere....are they of good character or are they of the nature to use their position for self-serving gain? Of course that includes the CIA, our military leaders.....really any organization that has selfish intentions and is not being checked by its superiors or even more unfortunate may be encouraged to use their situation in a destructive manner.
We as humans have a very difficult time in thinking, "What decisions...actions are going to be better for THESE people? In what ways can we encourage them to lead their country for the improved lives of all its people? Once more treating others as "less than"..."I know better" is a common evil human trait. It takes a great amount of love, patience...a getting to know and understand people and their culture, that most of us don't choose to have time to give...."
Wonderful thoughts, Emily. It takes a great amount of love and patience indeed.
Or, as the late great American philosopher Lou Reed sang, "It takes a busload of faith.."
Okay, I must come across as a know-it-all--I promise, I am not. I did just travel to Zambia, however AND I read up considerably on Wagner. So, no, Wagner has NOT been in Niger. It has been, frankly, valiant effort by Niger to resist them. Niger was also one of only FOUR African nations to vote to for the UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine (Zambia, Nigeria and Botswana were the others). That's out of 50 countries, BTW. Not only the coups in BF and Mali (currently one of the most dangerous places on earth), but also political-economic support in Cameroon (to their south). The pressure on them has been immense. I completely dismiss Prigozhin's comments--they are PR/propaganda at a crucial time for him. I have seen zero evidence of Wagner involvement in this coup. Niger could REALLY use some US support right now... but of course, our House is full of fasci--er, regressives who don't even want to help Ukraine.
Thank you
Thank you for this insight!!!!
Thank you for reporting.
Spot on ROBERT.
Thank you
It's sad that we can't leave one stone unturned. If there's any vacuum , it is quickly filled by extremists and terrorists. I'm glad we're paying attention to countries in Africa. Russia and China certainly are.
I recently saw a photo of downtown Nairobi. It looked like Shanghai - many architecturally fantastic buildings. I haven’t been there for a dozen years, but when I was last there only a few “skyscrapers” filled the horizon. China’s Belt and Road initiative very visibly at work. In my humble opinion, grain would be more valuable. As well as a vigorous attempt to combat climate change.
Yeah, but who do you think owns those Chinese “investments”? Gives China a legal foothold in all those countries plus a justification for doing things later to “protect” their investments...
That's the issue.
I envy your experience. I've read a few books about Kenya. Seems like an interesting place to visit?
Indeed it is. I first visited in 1995 on what I expected to be a once in a lifetime trip. I fell in love with the country, the people and the animals. I begged and borrowed so that I could return. It’s magical, but Nairobi has become a dangerous city with a huge smog problem. I don’t believe they have any emissions standards.
Yep. This shows what happens when no attention is paid to the environment. Nairobi is touted as a relatively modern city. I'm sure they're way behind us in appetite to address air quality. The U.S. has the means and the appetite save for a powerful few who won't be affected. Thanks for sharing.
Putin is a monster, to state the obvious. When you demonstrate your “strength” as a leader by starving people, you deserve the horrible fate that awaits you.
Karma cometh!
Well,
Karma came awfully slowly to Joseph Stalin. After about 40 million people were starved in camps or something like that.
Karma, as far as I can tell, when it actually works, which, is not often, sure does take its time.
Yes, I was going to mention that as well. Russia’s MO is starving it’s own people-see Stalin’s history - Timothy Snyder’s book Bloodlands is a good start-so, starving other country’s people is not a stretch at all.
Karma is what people depend on when they have no power to kick arse
Frankly, I think most Westerners do not have much understanding of karma, and maybe we should quit throwing the word around.
Heather, I'd love your take on the current status of countries that were colonized or dominated by France. Several seem to endure ongoing corruption and chaos - Niger, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Mali. Does this have anything to do with how France governed and exploited the indigenous people?
Don't exclude, England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, etc. None of the "colonizers" whether in Africa the Americas, Asia, or the Pacific Islands were benevolent or "good". They invaded these countries for profit, not charity. Even us, although we rebelled against colonization in our own country, that didn't stop us in Fiji, Guam, Puerto Rico, etc. People of power always justify their greed by showing how they "opened the doors of civilization" Unfortunately we Caucasians seem to have a propensity for enforcing our presence.
It seems to be an even wider human proclivity than the aggression of Caucasians, though Caucasians, have done an awful lot of it.
You are all discussing the history of the human race. Different centuries; different peoples but same story.
Caucasians learned it from Ghengis Khan, I think...
Even he had some good points.
One of the tragedies of the Caribbean is that Haiti, which was the first country to overthrow its colonial rulers, was isolated because people feared the revolution would spread. The French are solely responsible.
Prog, I prefer to blame the British for most of the colonialization nonsense. They had the most ships. However, there were Italians, Spaniards, Dutch as well. The list goes on. In the end, we got whatever we got and have to deal with it NOW so the chaos does not reach our shores. That is our gubmints first job. Can't solve the world's problems because we can't even solve our own, imo. End of rant. Peace.
What about Papa and Baby Doc, progwoman? Such a tragedy is Haiti!
That came much later, though.
Thank you so much for explaining why this story was at the top priority of BBC news and then also featured on NPR. With all the heat and humidity of the day I was not very receptive and my husband tried to explain the geography of the area. I trust Blinken’s leadership but despite all our dollar aid, it appears that Russia’s brutal and insidious efforts combined with the effects of climate change are taking over. Thank you for your concise explanation about why this matters.
A perfectly written response to Dr. Richardson's writing today.
Thank you. I feel as you do.
Sounds like some people think the resources of Niger are ripe for the plucking, and the wannabe oligarchs are flocking there like vultures. Part of the huge difficulty is the enormous population of kids combined with the enormous lack of adequate or nutritious food: if you were 14 and you and your family were hungry or starving, and had been for months or years, wouldn't you consider allying yourself with someone who fed you, and who made it possible for you to feed your siblings, regardless of what such a person might do to people not members of your family, or expect you to do in return? And if your "work" for this person included becoming some sort of radical, and they gave you a gun as well as food and probably clothes and shoes and maybe even money, well, what of it? Extreme poverty is dehumanizing, and if neither your parents nor your government could provide food or opportunities to work for pay so you could purchase the necessities of life, then as a rational actor you'd turn to someone who could feed you, and did.
As terrible as the situation is in Niger, do we really think it's realistic to expect "strongmen" and their minions to remain committed to democracy, however much food their country is getting from the US, and however despicable Russia's actions are in destroying tens of thousands of grains of wheat destined for their country, when with Russia's help, by and through Wagner, they can receive weaponry and manpower to make a power grab and the road to untold riches possible?
Love the work and "term" of Matthew Desmond the "Poverty Abolitionist," as it is true poverty is 'dehumanizing," as you say, Lynn. His book, Poverty, by America, is worth hearing about, 25 min
https://www.youtube.com/live/nw5GoTq2vBE?feature=share
The reverse-Midas touch: what Putin touches turns to sh**.
Reminds me of his protégé in Florida....
Same as chump
What a monumental mess. While a few autocrats feed their egos, millions starve.
Alas an enduring theme in history. It's long past time to end it (the theme of sociopathic autocrats, not history).
I completely agree. This old script is not working. We need a fresh one. It seems pretty impossible right now but it’s definitely worth doing.
Our technological ability to "do" as well as the scale of our "footprints" means we get wise or die.
Matthew Desmond, author of Poverty, by America, Matt says if "every one of the oligarchs (1%ers) in the US paid their taxes, we could solve Poverty in the U s. https://www.youtube.com/live/nw5GoTq2vBE?feature=share
Seems to me to be one more piece of collateral damage from climate change. Would not be surprised if the coup blamed the Pres of Niger for starvation, thirst, heat, allegiance to those who can't or won't do anything real about turning around the CO2 pollution. Every power hungry fascist needs a scapegoat. We humans are in for a lot of misery and escape attempts from insufferably unlivable areas, no matter how many razor wire rafts we float, no matter how far north we live. And when we are crowded together, we behave just like rats in overcrowded cages do. They, and we, eat each other.