India’s China War, by Neville Maxwell.(Jonathan Cape.) 475 pages. William Bundy, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, has made oneof the more perceptive comments on U.S. Vietnam policy. Writing about the “Pentagon Papers” in the French foreign affairs magazine, Preuves, he identifies “a fearful view of China” as the main
MoreArticle written 2017 and regarded too controversial for the public Pearls and Irritations blog run by ex Australian Ambassador to Japan, John Menadue. Menadue now decries the pernicious influence of ASIO on Australian foreign policy: I have spent almost my entire adult as an Australian involved closely with Asia – a
MoreTimid Chilcot report is just a starting point BY GREGORY CLARK 消極的なチルコット報告書は単なる始まりに過ぎない The reaction to the just-released Chilcot report with its seven-year intensive examination of the United Kingdom’s 2003 intervention in Iraq has been extraordinary. We have had endless debate over whether the intervention had U.N. or other legal approval.
MoreWhat’s wrong with this photo? (A print of the famous ‘Tankman’ photo graces the walls of the FCCJ conference room.)
MoreElections, abductees, nuclear weapons and North Korea Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had compelling political reasons for calling Sunday’s snap election BY GREGORY CLARK OCT 18, 2017 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s decision to call an early Lower House election, due this Sunday, was a puzzle. Together with its coalition partner, Komeito,
MoreFalse claims and false flag storiesWestern governments and media are free to say whatever they like, no matter how phoneyBY GREGORY CLARKJUL 9, 2017 I was brought up in a world where the “other side” — the Soviet Union mainly — lied through its teeth. When it said “liberation” it
MoreThe U.S. spy community — those nice people who told us they were certain the Iraq of
MoreFashions change. From the miniskirt we moved to the drape dress. From obligatory neckties
MoreGlobal warming and nuclear power:A sober approach is needed to deal with the consequences of a natural phenomenonBY GREGORY CLARKJUN 28, 2017 Global warming seems to have become the excuse for everything unusual in the weather. If it rains that is because of global warming. If it does not rain
MoreThe distaste for U.S. President Donald Trump is understandable
MoreLiu Xiaobo and the Tiananmen Non-MassacreBeijing seems to be its own worst enemy. By continuing its seemingly vindictive pursuit of activists involved in the May-June, 1989, Tiananmen student protests – the persecution of recently deceased human rights advocate, Liu Xiaobo, in particular – it risks enormous harm to its international
MoreThe perils of excessive moralism in foreign policyBY GREGORY CLARKJAN 5, 2017 “Double tap” was the name given to the U.S. drone warfare technique of first attacking a hostile target and then making another attack shortly after when the family, friends or colleagues rushed to rescue the injured in the
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