A critique of the ‘rules-based order’ RBO

A critique of the ‘rules-based order’ RBO

Farhang Jahanpour TFF Associate February 6, 2024 Since the end of the Cold War and increasingly in recent years, US officials followed as usual by their European allies, have coined a new phrase which they use instead of international law, namely ‘rules-based international order’ (RBO). Leiden Journal of International Law has published an online book […]

Jan Oberg: The Iraq War 20 years ago – No shame. No lessons learned. No arrest order on NATO state leaders.

Jan Oberg: The Iraq War 20 years ago – No shame. No lessons learned. No arrest order on NATO state leaders.

All photos © Jan Oberg Writing this, I must admit that my rage and pain build up inside, still twenty years later. Below, see what TFF and I wrote back then and why we were, simply put, making better predictions on a shoestring budget than the US and other NATO decision-makers on multi-billion-dollar budgets. Like […]

John Menadue: The US sees China through the dark mirror of its own unbridled aggression

John Menadue: The US sees China through the dark mirror of its own unbridled aggression

USA versus China trade war concept. Statue of Liberty and Chinese Dragon prepared for battle. National symbols show international relations. Vector illustration in comic style.  John Menadue February 22, 2023 Originally posted on John Menadue’s Public Policy Journal “Pearls and Irritations” on February 11th, 2023. h As China grows and prospers many in the US […]

Leading not by force but by example – really, Tony Blinken?

Leading not by force but by example – really, Tony Blinken?

Edward Lozansky April 8th, 2021 Apology and humanitarian help are a better start In his recent speech outlining the new U.S. foreign policy vision Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken made a really sensational statement: “We will not promote democracy through costly military interventions or by attempting to overthrow authoritarian regimes by force. We have […]

The U.S. ‘War on Terror’ Has Displaced 37 Million People

The U.S. ‘War on Terror’ Has Displaced 37 Million People

Here’s why we used the numbers we did — and what they can and can’t tell us. David Vine December 5th, 2020 Over the last week, considerable debate arose around a calculation I helped produce showing that the wars the U.S. government has fought since the attacks of September 11, 2001, have forced at least […]

The rhetorical brilliance of Trump the demagogue

The rhetorical brilliance of Trump the demagogue

Dr. Jennifer Mercieca December 02, 2020 Donald Trump’s December 7 Statement on Preventing Muslim Immigration has attracted worldwide disdain. Nearly 500,000 Britons have signed a petition asking their government to prevent Trump from entering their country. In the US, Trump’s comments have been denounced by Democrats, Republicans, the media and religious groups. Originally posted on The Conversation on December 11, 2015 […]

When is China-bashing racist?

When is China-bashing racist?

Designer: Yu Jiansu at CGTN.com Martin Powers September 4, 2020 Ann Arbor (Special to Informed Comment) – On the left, there is widespread agreement that Trump’s immigration policies are informed by white supremacist doctrines. His travel ban on Middle Eastern nations was racially charged, not to mention restricting aid to Puerto Ricans ravaged by a […]

Presumptuous Pompeo Pushes Preposterous ‘Peking’ Policy

Presumptuous Pompeo Pushes Preposterous ‘Peking’ Policy

Photo: U.S. President Richard Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai toast, Feb. 25, 1972. (White House/Wikimedia Commons) A rant by Mike Pompeo regarding what the U.S. should do with China led to a fruitful exchange between an old China, and an old Soviet hand, writes Ray McGovern. August 24. 2020 Ray McGovern Quick. Somebody tell Mike […]

The world must end Washington’s illegal economic war

The world must end Washington’s illegal economic war

By Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers February 10, 2020 The US is currently attacking one-third of the planet’s population with 8,000 economic sanctions, ongoing acts of war against 39 nations. “Their intent is to shrink the economy and cause chronic shortages and hyperinflation while ensuring a lack of access to finance to pay for essentials.” […]

This outlaw power: America’s intent is to dominate China, Russia and the world

This outlaw power: America’s intent is to dominate China, Russia and the world

Illustration by Craig Stephens, South China Morning Post By Christopher Black July 26th 2019 On June 4th the Chinese government issued a travel alert for Chinese tourists thinking of visiting the United States, a day after it issued a similar advisory to Chinese students thinking of studying in the US over concerns for their safety […]