Shackled and bent over – some of the 250-plus deportees arriving in El Salvador. El Salvador Presidency / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Mneesha Gellman, Emerson College and Sarah C. Bishop, Baruch College, CUNY El Salvador President Nayib Bukele framed his offer to house “dangerous American criminals” and “criminals from any country” as a … [Read more...] about Beatings, overcrowding and food deprivation: US deportees face distressing human rights conditions in El Salvador’s mega-prison
International
Satire: Our Enemy Canada
Before launching a trade war with Canada, Donald Trump drafted a speech justifying it. After my spies in the Oval Office were fired by DOGE, they leaked his statement to me: Canada sided with England during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Since I aspire to be a king, I admire Canada for preferring King George III over George Washington. Did I mention that I … [Read more...] about Satire: Our Enemy Canada
What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins — and where it could be heading next
Global order? Put a pin in it. Getty Images Andrew Latham, Macalester College The phrase “international rules-based order” has long been a fixture in global politics. Western leaders often use it to describe a framework of rules, norms and institutions designed to guide state behavior. Advocates argue that this framework has provided the … [Read more...] about What is the rules-based order? How this global system has shifted from ‘liberal’ origins — and where it could be heading next
What Do Anthony Van Jones And Seth MacFarlane Have In Common?
Here is the thing about the recent rise of antisemitism. It has nothing to do with antisemitism. What do CNN's Anthony Van Jones and Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane have in common? They have theories about the source behind antisemitism. On the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, CNN’s Anthony Van Jones featured a commentary about the dangers of hate. Van … [Read more...] about What Do Anthony Van Jones And Seth MacFarlane Have In Common?
The Ukraine Tragedy: Adding Insult to Injury
A couple of days after President Trump humiliated President Zelensky and betrayed Ukraine at the White House, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised the “new White House agenda” saying that it “largely aligns with our vision.” But even before the White House ambush, the Trump administration was taking actions seriously damaging an ally fighting for its very survival. A … [Read more...] about The Ukraine Tragedy: Adding Insult to Injury
THE STATE OF THE UNION IS RUSSIA (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
So, did you watch Donald Trump's State of the Union speech?? Yeah, I know you didn’t, and I don’t blame you because I didn’t want to watch it either. But I did…well, a chunk of it. I watched the first 20 minutes or so, and then that was all I could take. I figured I’d rely on the news coverage of it later, but I did catch Rep. Al Green getting tossed out. My main impression … [Read more...] about THE STATE OF THE UNION IS RUSSIA (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
Chaos with Trump and Ukraine: A Warning for Moderates and the Center-Right
By Dr. Christopher Miller As the war in Ukraine continues into its third year, the geopolitical stakes for the United States have never been higher. Yet, recent political developments in Washington and the resurgence of Donald Trump as a major political force have introduced alarming uncertainty into America’s commitment to Ukraine. The consequences of Trump’s erratic … [Read more...] about Chaos with Trump and Ukraine: A Warning for Moderates and the Center-Right
How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability
U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Karrin Vasby Anderson, Colorado State University Journalists covering the Feb. 28, 2025, Oval Office meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as a … [Read more...] about How Trump’s compulsion to dominate sabotages dealmaking, undermines democracy and threatens global stability
THANKS FOR NOTHING (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
If you watch the entire Oval Office meeting between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, you’ll notice that Trump was thanked by Zelensky, not once, but twice, three minutes into the meeting. Zelensky thanked Trump again at the 7:35 mark. At minute 41, Zelensky said, “God bless, now, Trump will stop Putin.” Before minute 41 was over, Vice President (sic) JD Vance told … [Read more...] about THANKS FOR NOTHING (CARTOON AND COLUMN)
The Recent White House ‘Spectacle.’ What the Headlines Say (Updated)
UPDATE: Perhaps the most telling and damning headline spelling out the consequences of the betrayal of Ukraine following the Zelenskyy-Trump-Vance White House fiasco is one by Reuters: “Kremlin says pause of U.S. military aid to Ukraine is best hope for peace.” This as Russia continues to relentlessly destroy Ukraine’s infrastructure with massive drone and missile … [Read more...] about The Recent White House ‘Spectacle.’ What the Headlines Say (Updated)
IMAGES AND CARTOONS ABOUT TRUMP-PUTIN RELATIONSHIP
Over the years there have been a slew of images and cartoons about Donald Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Here are a few: … [Read more...] about IMAGES AND CARTOONS ABOUT TRUMP-PUTIN RELATIONSHIP
Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out
Could Friedrich Merz be the man to speak for Europe? Sean Gallup/Getty Images Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, Colorado State University “Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?” The question was famously attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and refers to the historical inability of the political entity of Europe to … [Read more...] about Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out
TRUMP, VANCE ATTACK ZELENSKY AND TRUMP CUTS MEETING SHORT: THE TRUTH NOW REVEALED?
Embed from Getty Images A live-camera meeting between President Donald Trump, and Vice President J. D. Vance and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky that was supposed to highlight a major agreement between the two countries ended in a disaster: Trump and Vance aggressively double-teamed Zelensky, Trump was angry and Trump cut the meeting short. Meanwhile, it completely … [Read more...] about TRUMP, VANCE ATTACK ZELENSKY AND TRUMP CUTS MEETING SHORT: THE TRUTH NOW REVEALED?
German election: the results explained as Friedrich Merz comes out swinging for Europe
Ed Turner, Aston University Friedrich Merz, the presumptive chancellor of Germany, has confirmed he will seek a coalition with the social democratic SPD after the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) won the February 23 election, topping the poll with 28.5%. Although the SPD has gone from winning the last election to a record low result of 16.4% of the vote, it remains the only … [Read more...] about German election: the results explained as Friedrich Merz comes out swinging for Europe
So What of Gaza? Trump’s Plan and Some Context
Trump's vague plan, his new vision for the Eastern Mediterranean has some supporters and some advantages. It is important to see the local context. Historically if you start a war and you lose that war, you lose your land. If you're lucky you escape with your life. There are so many instances of this it is fair to say human history is one long example of it and it still … [Read more...] about So What of Gaza? Trump’s Plan and Some Context
TRUMP OPENS DOOR FOR PUTIN (CARTOON)
Trump’s view of the world is becoming clear: America’s allies come second to its own interests
John Blaxland, Australian National University Last week in Europe, the United States sent some very strong messages it is prepared to upend the established global order. US Vice President JD Vance warned a stunned Munich Security Conference that Europe has an “enemy within”, referring to leaders who ignore their citizens’ concerns and values. He also advocated for … [Read more...] about Trump’s view of the world is becoming clear: America’s allies come second to its own interests
Wish You Were Here (Cartoon and Column)
How do you have talks to end the war in Ukraine without Ukraine? The self-proclaimed greatest negotiator in the world gave away the store to Vladimir Putin before peace talks had even begun. But then again, Trump’s not looking for a fair deal that benefits everyone. Trump claims he’s looking for a fair deal, but why should we care what Russia gets? After Russia … [Read more...] about Wish You Were Here (Cartoon and Column)
Ukraine isn’t invited to its own peace talks. History is full of such examples – and the results are devastating
(From left to right): Neville Chamberlain, Édouard Daladier, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano before signing the Munich Agreement, which gave the Sudetenland to Germany. German Federal Archives/Wikimedia Commons Matt Fitzpatrick, Flinders University Ukraine has not been invited to a key meeting … [Read more...] about Ukraine isn’t invited to its own peace talks. History is full of such examples – and the results are devastating
‘Freedom of the press’ or ‘Freedom from the press’?
by Nik Kowsar I totally understand why President Trump sees the press the way he does. Back in the good old days — before he committed the unforgivable crime of running for office — he was a media darling. Even the five enlightened sages of “The View” found him entertaining. But the second he rode down that escalator, straight out of “The Simpsons’” crystal ball, the … [Read more...] about ‘Freedom of the press’ or ‘Freedom from the press’?