The Message and War

I wasn’t going to read The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates because I’m doing what I can to end the genocide and occupation, and because Coates seems like such a nice guy that it saddens me that he nonsensically defended the U.S. Civil War.

I’m very glad that I did read it. I did so because someone led me to believe that in it Coates changed his mind about the Civil War. This turned out to be a misunderstanding that grew out of the fact that in the book he does slightly change his mind about a read more

Cherry Trees Blooming in Winter

In my town the cherry trees now bloom as winter approaches, and the curious thing is that people no longer mention the lovely spring days in November without adding they they are aware it’s an indication of a climate collapse that may rapidly render human life on Earth impossible. Everyone not only knows it but says it.

They still never add that they want to engage in any sort of activism to compel a change of course, even as the U.S. government is handed over fully to the oil companies and other read more

A Government for the World

Donald Trump’s latest rollout of his hyper nationalist “America First” policy underscores the world’s long-term slide toward catastrophe.

Within nations, when conflicts inevitably erupt, there are laws, as well as police, courts, and governments that enforce the laws.

On the global level, however, the situation approaches international anarchy.  Although the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court sort out the issues, they are relatively read more

Politics and War By Other Means

Remarks in Göteborg, Sweden, November 11, 2024.

It’s wonderful to be here with many of you whose work I’ve known but whom I’ve rarely if ever been with in person. I am very grateful to John Jones and Tomas Magnusson and all those involved in arranging this event.

It’s wonderful to be in a country which — like Norway, where I was yesterday — some of my great-grandparents came from, including here in Sweden the ones who gave me my last name. I imagine some of you are too polite here in read more

Tomgram: Juan Cole, Pax Americana? Not a Chance!

This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

Honestly, can you believe that Hamas’s devastating October 7th attack on Israel and that country’s initial military response to it occurred well over a year ago? Or that, for the last 14 months, the Gaza Strip — and it’s not called a “strip” for nothing, being only 25 miles long and, at most, seven miles wide — has become an all too literal hell on Earth? Only read more