Today, we have strong tensions on both land and sea between Russia and Ukraine. With a certain amount of good will, the tensions could be reduced. The times call for creative proposals and open discussions.
A manifesto by George Orwell, published in a recent book on the British author, argues that democracy and socialism are not merely two desirable and complementary ideals, but are, or ought to be, the same thing -- that socialism is simply the extension of democratic principles into the economic life of the society.
"The demonization of Russia is, I believe, one of the most dangerous things that is happening in our world today. The scapegoating of Russia is an inexcusable game that the West is indulging in. It is time for political leaders and each individual to move us back from the brink of catastrophe to begin to build relationships with our Russian brothers and sisters." - Mairead Maguire, recipient of the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize
If Trump's aggressive style and populist impulses have encouraged his political soulmates abroad, they've also provoked a backlash in defense of democratic norms.
Europe continues to view the refugee crisis in terms of security, populist pressures and national identity, as opposed to it being a global humanitarian crisis invited by wars, political strife and economic inequality, of which Europe is hardly innocent.
Hiding behind appeals to "rationalism," the French leader seeks to "fix" the French economy by cozying up to a tiny, wealthy elite.
Copyright Toward Freedom 2019