Hey Matthew- I appreciate your critique- as always I appreciate your voice. I do however disagree with a couple major points. First, I would not put any qualifiers on the strengthening of Russia since 2022. Russia is far stronger now, full stop. Its alliance with China is firm. Russia has also shown the West what a real industrial economy looks like- here we are in the US with empty factories, while Russia pumps out new weapons and military supplies consistently. The Russian people have grown MORE supportive of the special military operation. And honestly, put yourself in their shoes. Imagine you're Russian. For years you've lived with nuclear armed weapons on your border. For years you've been next door to a failed state with literal Nazis in government. Imagine you lived in Russia and felt the effects of Ukraine's attacks on your land. Remember when Ukraine sent drones to hit apartment complexes in Russia? (I'm not sure in which city.) Those attacks inside Russia only increased Russian support for the SMP.
Also, I don't see your prediction of increased industrial output for Europe in the realm of possibility. Russia was provoked in 2014 by the Ukraine coup and the US bet (correctly) on western European leaders' backing of NATO. The US manipulated Germany into shutting down Nordstream. That wasn't good enough for the US, so the US blew it up.
A major reason the ruling elite stoked the Ukraine conflict was to force European (and particularly German) countries to be dependent on US natural gas. Europe can't possibly industrialize more now. German factories are closing because fuel is way too expensive to warrant continuing production. While the ruling elite miscalculated the effect of sanctions on the Russian economy, they gamed western Europe very well. The wealth created by jacked up LNG prices to Europe will surely make more American billionaires. But it spells doom for European industry.
Finally, I completely disagree that NATO is stronger now as an alliance. I understand that the mainstream media probably says that nonstop, but the mainstream media ignores the existence of the people. (This is particularly annoying in the US, as most people suffer devastating economic hardship without a word of validation of their struggle from the mainstream media.)
The Europeans don't seem to be particularly thrilled with their governments. And rightly so. Their governments have thrown their own people under the bus by cowtowing to US imperialism. We've seen major protests in France and Germany. Of course our media try to describe any popular uprising as "far right" in order to poison the well of those who consider joining a resistance movement. It's kind of like "trigger words"- there are certain words and phrases that turn off liberal brains, and "far right" is at the top of the list.
The ruling elite is losing control of the narrative, and the European people are rightfully irate that their money is being sent to the most corrupt government in Europe. The American people are more tuned into foreign policy than they've been in my 43-year lifespan. There is a loud vibration humming across the working class in Europe and the US. Europeans know that NATO is destroying their social democracies. And more and more Americans understand that US foreign policy is a grift. That is very bad news for NATO.
I note the popularity of the war, Putin and the government in my piece, my argument is that foreign wars, even those across a border, have political costs. I'll note that the US wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan all began with high rates of support and kept majority rates of support through the first couple/several years of war, even the Iraq War had majority/plurality support for two full years following the invasion. My expectation is that Russia will be no different with its war.
I think you misread what I said about industrial expansion/output as I was referring only to military industrial output and not to national industrial output. What you say ties into what I say in the last paragraph of that section on Russia/NATO on the danger of NATO in an economically weak and politically distraught Europe. One point of clarification, Russia shutdown its supply through Nordstream 1 and Germany didn't grant Russia license to utilize Nordstream 2. Then the Americans/British/Ukranians et al blew it up.
Did you see Sweden ended its "investigation"? Terribly pathetic.
Interesting about those pipelines- Putin just commented in the Carlson interview something about how Germany has chosen to keep one of the Nordstream lines closed. You wrote, "Germany didn't grant Russia license to utilize Nordstream 2". That may be the technical business speak of the deal, but in my brain it reads as Germany saying, "we won't buy cheap Russian gas anymore."
Because how can Germany grant Russia license to use a pipeline that already belongs to Russia? Like, I understand life is lived in a grayzone. But I'm unable to see the gray here. Meaning that Germany has decided to buy overpriced gas from the US instead of cheap gas from Russis. All this while the media implies Nordstream was completely destroyed. I didn't realize that all this time Germany could still have bought cheap Russian gas! I would be soooo pissed if I was German! Could you even imagine?!
Rachael, I concur on all points and would only add that protests are not only happening in France and Germany. Farmers, taking the lead, are stirred up across the EU and rightly so. Still, their arrogant leaders go in debt (as do we) for project Ukraine and contemplate absconding with frozen Russian funds for Ukraine's sake. I also think the win for the US regarding LNG dependence is going to be short lived as it escalates anti US sentiments in Europe.
Do you know why the Farmers are protesting in the EU?
1. We import too much food.
2. Some time ago we got shot of Monsanto with it's killing weed killers.(US Company)
3. Until we get rid of 'diesel' we cannot make any inroads to global warming.
In France we have been trying to become more of a 'green' economy BUT if we want to do this the Farmers need to be compensated. Unless we stop importing food.
The US behind China are the major polluters of the world.
First, I don't know exactly what the person you responded to is thinking, but I don't see anything in their comment that suggests they directly tie the farmer protests to opposition to Ukraine policy. They are just pointing out that people are unhappy with their leadership. Regardless, "Your education is worse than Sri Lanka." is both arrogant and ignorant. I guess you are one of the people who believes Europe is a garden and the rest of the world is the jungle. Onward to my questions:
1) Why do you import too much food? Is outside food cheaper? If you import a lot of food, how would domestic production keep up? This reminds me of the haranguing around the Ukraine grain deal, where it turned out that the vast majority of that grain ended up being sent to Europe.
2) No idea what this sentence means. Are you saying Monsanto is good? You wish Europe used more of their chemicals?
3) There is another way to lessen pollution: end war and militarism. You are right that China pollutes more per capita than Europe, but the U.S is significantly worse than both. And other U.S military allies like Australia and Canada are as bad as the U.S And, I bet the fact that Europe and America have outsourced a lot of their industry to China contributes to these figures.
1. I have lived my life in 4 different countries NON of which I agree with.
2. The education in Sri Lanka was when I left far superior to US education.
3. Europe is NO "garden of Eden." We are just vassals of the USA. We nod our heads and do what the US Empire wants us to do.
4. Why do you in the US import too much food when you can grow your own but like us in Europe you are owned by corporations..........more so than us.
5. Monsanto was chucked out of Europe years ago but to fill the void we have had more chemical come here. The Farmers are seriously unhappy that they cannot produce food without chemicals and fertilizers. TOO bad.
6. A directive in France was issued (perhaps 3yrs ago) that every farmer has to leave ONE field fallow in order for the soil to regenerate. OF course the farmers didn't like this. It meant money lost. BUT in the scheme of things to me it makes sense. However the big corporations did not take notice which is why a lot of the small farmers are angry.
7. We have been trying to cut down on diesel for years. It's a difficult problem for the poor who still drive diesel cars.
I am not going to get into an argument about China because (like you) we have very little knowledge of what they are doing.
To my mind we are on the same side although on this particular comment of yours I have not been brainwashed like Americans have.
China and Russia are evil!
I lived in the US for 23yrs it was a good learning curve for me.
We lived in a Canyon in (LA County) where Woody Guthrie and Will Geer lived. During the McCarthy era most of the people living there at the time we called communists.
We were mostly with left wing people.
Outside of this Canyon NOBODY would talk politics............it was always about shopping.
The EU election is gonna be the 'talent show' of the year. Agreed that that could swing things in favour of Russia. Equally, expect some politicians to change their tune after being bribed by the West.
I live in France and am cognizant with what is happening here.
We have been 'suckers.'
What makes me SO mad is that every country in the world is FIXATED on immigration while the birth rate is dropping. It's a false flag to make people think they are being taken over. BULLSHIT
Here in France we had the Magrebines (from colonies in mostly Algeria and Morrocco.
The Magrebines made money and don't want to do work in the 'fields' so we have imported S. Americans who I do like very much.
It's not a 'talent' show. We do not deal in circus politics.
Eat your popcorn and think of this as a 'fun time' in the US.
Your region is certainly changing. Despite it's history of education, it's dumbed down and manipulated (from both ends of the spectrum). Politics is extremism claiming to be the only reasonable side. You, like we, need the majority in the middle to standup but, more often than not, they avoid the loonies, and thus hand their lives over.
I'm not sure why you think Americans think it is fun for our ruling elite to destroy Europe. It isn't. Americans are impoverished. We have no health care but we pay tens of thousands of dollars for it. We have no job security, we have no unemployment unless we live in NY or California. We have no right to housing, we have no right to food, we have nothing. If you're gonna be mad at the Amerixan people you're wasting your rage on victims of the same ruling elite that is f'ing you over.
Rachel. You can say this while you reside in the USA which has never in later History had wars.
Meanwhile the US have sat in their armchairs and taken NO Notice of what is happening.
We are in the centre of your wars..............we have hundreds of Ukranian deserters here and guns are coming in courtesy of the USA.
Still the US (Biden) instead of making peace with their "arch-enemy" Russia and stopping the war in Ukraine (which was started by the likes of Nuland/Blinken etc) with support by their allies (us)
So, where is the peace ticket option--Kucinich/Hoh '24? Bernie did the small grass roots funding. Let's get the ticket going and kick in $24 for '24. What are you and Dennis waiting on!? :-)
Dear Matthew - Thank you for this comprehensive and clear, albeit gloomy, assessment of the US foreign policy situation and much more. I learned a lot, especially about Turkey and Egypt. A couple of questions and one request:
-- do you think it is pointless to go ahead with the No to NATO protests this summer, given NATO's strengthened position, or can something productive still come from this: https://www.no-to-nato.org/
-- how much can world or US opinion be effected by the impacts on the global climate crisis by the Israeli genocidal assault in Gaza, the Ukraine-Russia War, and other armed conflicts?
My request: please do not use the word "defense" which has many good connotations (as you know); please use "military" or "militarized" or "war" as in, "war industry" -- a term popularized by author and military veteran Christian Sorensen. The people and the environments of the world are not being "defended" by all this warfare and preparations for war. We are being destroyed, immediately or longer-term.
I'm not involved in the organizing and may not even make it to DC for the protests (I don't fly), but to answer your question, please look here: https://www.no-to-nato.org/en/ These protests are the end point of the Peace Walk, as you probably know. And yes, I have read Words about War. Thanks for getting back to me.
Thanks for this update Matt. One question: Oman can play a critical role and does host important UK bases but I have been reading that the local population there, who are definitely sympathetic to Palestine, is becoming increasingly upset by the UK presence and its support for Israel. This echoes the pressures being felt by Gulf rulers, Egypt and Jordan as the Arab street becomes ever more restless. How do you view the influence of the Arab population and Asabiyya referred to by Pepe Escobar affecting the balance of powers in that region?
I have to say I know probably the least about Oman of any country in the region, but I think those pressures you cite on the Gulf monarchies, Egypt and Jordan would apply equally as well in Oman - one of the reasons both the US and those countries are so tight lipped about US military operations, bases, port calls, etc - I think the Jordanians for example are still adamant those US troops died in Jordan but Syria, imagine if the Jordanian people thought the drones operating out of Tower 22 were flying over Palestine (I don't know if that is/was the case, but certainly possible).
Reading your reply to Jenny, I believe the UK have a long established relationship with Oman having arranged for the Sultan Qaboos to come to power by a coup against his father in 1970. The Sultan had spent some years previously being trained by the British army. This is a good video giving some insight into the growth of British influence in that part of the world
Oman where I have spent time is a Country which really does not want to become involved much like Switzerland but it is being drawn into the ever-present US hegemony.
You talk about 'Gulf rulers' as though they are ONE. NO they are not.
I would point out that Turkey/Iran/Yemen are Persian. They speak Farci. They are NOT Arabs.
I don't think anyone said Turkey or Iran were Arabs. Yemen is an Arab nation that speaks Arabic.
With regards to Oman, Oman has had a long military relationship with the US, going back to the Carter Administration, it was the first Gulf country to host a US base (in 1980, following the revolution in Iran). It's certainly been a part of the US Empire for at least a couple of generations although it is much quieter about its relationship with the US than other nations in the region and it has, to your point about Switzerland, attempted to play a role as mediator between nations.
Hi James. I am hoping that along with the Stein, West and Libertarian campaigns, the Kennedy and a No Labels campaign will cause significant disruption and create/force opportunities for political expansion in a host of ways, including prioritizing the eradication of the electoral college, pushing ranked choice voting (the first step toward proportional represtentation), a restructuring how media covers politics (not through the legacy corporate media but through independent/alternative media) and a strengthening of third/independent parties. Of course the established political system is not going to just accept this and so I expect also to see reactionary attempts in many states and at the federal level to stop such effects (for example how NY handled its ballot access in 2022). Things might get worse before they get better.
Your interview with Scott led me here. Great assessment.
Russia has secured Crimea and has 4 seaside oblasts and increased its population - if this becomes a Korea-styled situation, Russia will have won even without achieving its full objectives. Despite the dead bodies, he's reinvigorated nationalism and protected the majority of the Russian-speaking victims of the civil war.
The biggest local strategic win would be to get Odessa and link to Transnistria. That's essential to counterbalance Finland and Poland, the latter the future NATO-backed industrial region of the EU (so long as it doesn't tear itself apart). But its a big ask considering Russia would have to take Dnipro first.
A more radicalised Ukraine will be terrible for the population, especially Russian-speakers, but further dent the West's marketed morals. I expect most talented expats will not return from the EU.
War has unknown factors e.g., would NATO be as foolish as to enter Ukraine, forcing a big response from Putin.
In context, the war has been an enormous strategic win for Russia and China, their attempt to challenge the dollar and gain prestige in Africa.
Very well put. I concur with what you are saying/suggesting. Your suggestion of annexed parts of Ukraine serving as an industrial counterweight to the EU is quite keen (of course once it is all rebuilt). That certainly gives added weight to those who would argue for further Russian advances.
Ukraine is 4.5 million laborers short, like you I doubt many of the 6 million who fled are going to return. Would you? I'm not sure I would.
Yes, those are two strategic accomplishments for Russia and China, although much of that success can be equally attributable to the US' appalling foreign policy and relations with regions/nations.
Yes, the USA's arrogance has it standing on its own foot. And it's currently dancing hard on the border in Moldova and Romania, so we'll have to see if it's improves, or wasn't meant to be a dancer.
People get caught up in nationalism and fear of nationalism, and seem supportive of their government during hard times. Once the dust settles, most will lose the psychosis but not the fear.
Those in charge seem to treat it as a game. You react as if it's our game, but we're not playing. And even though we're aren't, we're losing. I don't understand how you can be flippant.
My country has a far more radicalised version, so called commies versus libs, ANC vs the DA with the radical EFF in the mix, but from my experience I expect they are funded by the same people.
Whereas I think Javier Milei is an arse, I understand people voting for him out of desperation for something different because 200% inflation means you can't vote for the old guys.
But the USA is just groundhog day... but done in 23 hours one election, and then 22 hours the next election, like a countdown to voluntary destruction. So long as you have a two-party system of bought-in-a-can nuts, you should be doing charity work and improving your street instead of wasting time on politics (except to attend protests against more rules).
saw you first in interviews at legendary Andrew Nap. followed your work on the internet. the following is just to display, your work sure moves people around the globe. here is a part of a letter I sent to my Ausrian government:
...this leads me to address you, the Foreign Ministry, the Chancellor's Office, and especially our President:
How can an Austrian understand, given the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian population, that Austria still has not emancipated itself from the stance of the D-A-CH countries? Why does official Austria still refuse to recognize Palestine as a nation? You are certainly aware that 138 other UN member states have ratified recognition?
The US-aligned narrative constantly heard from politicians like Mrs. Nuland, Mr. Blinken, Mr. Kirby, Mr. Sullyvan, but especially from the Netanyahu-administration, is a profound disregard for human suffering, directly proportional to the suffering inflicted upon the population. (Allow me to invert Netanyahu's argumentation with the insanity of the 9/11 events broken down to October 7, 23.) What was responsible for the Shoah during the NS regime in Europe is now being inflicted to an even greater extent upon the people in Gaza, the West Bank, neighboring Jordan, and even directly in Israel.
I don't need to detail the reports of independent journalists, podcasters, and internationally recognized political scientists and researchers of sustainable development such as Prof. J.D. Sachs from Columbia University, Prof. John J. Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago, Prof. Tarek Masoud from the Middle East Initiative at the Kennedy School, as well as Dr. Daniele Ganser, Max Blumenthal, Cpt. Matt Hoh, Amy Goodman, Gita I. Wirjawan, Lex Fridman, Col. Douglas Macgregor, Dr. Dalal Iriqat, and many others, as you are surely familiar with these reports, research amd podcasts.
Therefore, I would like to encourage you, esteemed Foreign Ministry, Chancellor's Office, and Mr. President, as a father of three adult children and as an independent doctor and surgeon, to reconsider the stance of D-A-CH and initiate a public discourse on this matter.
As the Austrian Republic, you should take an official action to acknowledge and display that we have understood and gathered the needs, fears, immense suffering, and above all, the DAILY need for humanitarian and medical assistance for needy women, children, and men in Palestine. But especially to enable the people in Palestine to enjoy Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the UN Charter. I consider this to be essential for survival.
As you know, the trucks that bring daily food, medical supplies, and clothing to the war-torn area of Gaza stand in front of tightly closed gates! It is conceivable that the fact that Palestine is not a privileged country under the UN Charter is one of the reasons why the Netanyahu administration in the Knesset continues to refuse to open the gates protected by weapons. As can be seen in reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Red Cross, even the Israeli civilian population is involved in obstructing the delivery of much-needed aid! All of this is incomparable to the insane attacks of Hamas, which are unquestionably condemned internationally! But what has been happening in Palestine since then is unbearable to witness through the eyes of a father and a doctor, and for sure, thais is in no means an act of self-defense!
In my opinion, the first step should be for Austria to initiate a discourse at the UN level to recognize Palestine as a nation here in the German-speaking region, and thereby logically refute the argument of the Netanyahu administration that Palestine is not a protected country under the UN Charter (and therefore fair game) to cut off water. This would be a pragmatically safer approach to prevent further suffering. Doing so should not be a question of geopolitical considerations; doing so is an act of humanity. And there will probably be no one on Earth who has all their marbles who cannot understand that!
With this, our small country can make a highly visible statement and serve as an example that we can certainly be proud of, rather than the completely unrealistic ideas of sending weapons or even troops into war zones, which unfortunately have recently been heard and read from Austrian politicians. I trust that you are also appalled by the recent ideas of some European top politicians wanting to bring war into the hinterlands of Russia! This is madness, as assessed by General Inspector Harald Kujat (ret.), and I trust that you share the same view. How about diplomacy?
Because war means: ideologues speak passionately at home while young people and their families suffer fear and death on the front lines.
As a lecturer in cosmology, astronomy, and astrophotography, I would like to quote Prof. Carl Sagan, who told us: We humans are all children of stardust. All people consist of the same elements that were once created in stars through nuclear fusion. We all belong to the human family; we are nourished by the same Earth, we are at home on the same Earth, we experience the same pain at the loss of freedom, health, or even one of our loved ones. The cry of despair, pain, or suffering sounds the same in every person, regardless of their skin color, political or religious affiliation, or ethnic background. As Dr. Daniele Ganser aptly says in his books: "We are all part of the human family."
Please do not let this email be met with a copy-paste response; embrace this idea in the spirit of humanity, anthropophilia, and simply Christian charity, which we will rightly hear a lot about in our churches this coming Easter weekend.
Let us not end as Austrians with mere rhetoric while war crimes are being committed in Gaza, as judged and condemned by the UN.
It is time that, especially in full awareness of the historical background of May 11, 1949, as promised decades ago at the UN level, we FINALLY help the people in Palestine to live their human rights. The people there want nothing more than us: freedom, peace, and for the young people there, education and a hopeful outlook on the development of their quality of life.
In conclusion, I wish for my Austrian government a commitment to a public stance for peace, for welfare, and above all, a strong plea for DIPLOMACY!
Helmut Schmidt once said: "Better to negotiate fruitlessly for 100 hours than to shoot for just one minute."
Kennedy said: "Our goal is not the victory of might, but the maintenance of rights – not peace at the expense of freedom, but both: peace and freedom here in our hemisphere and – as we hope – everywhere in the world. God willing, we will achieve this goal."
Let us not only hope that diplomacy is always the nobler good in a democracy than promoting warlike conflicts, and let us spread this valuable asset in the world. Let our people experience that you as our democratically voted government stand for these values, stand for our values, as we are one!
Please stand publicly as our federal government and representative for the protection of human life wherever it is trampled upon before our eyes by ideological, geopolitical-strategic, or even economic considerations.
For historical reasons, we Austrians must not look away again! As a democratic republic, we cannot afford that.
the following is just to display, that based upon your work, you get to move people around the globe! here is a letter I just sent to my government in Austria:
...this leads me to address you, the Foreign Ministry, the Chancellor's Office, and especially our President:
How can an Austrian understand, given the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian population, that Austria still has not emancipated itself from the stance of the D-A-CH countries? Why does official Austria still refuse to recognize Palestine as a nation? You are certainly aware that 138 other UN member states have ratified recognition?
The US-aligned narrative constantly heard from politicians like Mrs. Nuland, Mr. Blinken, Mr. Kirby, Mr. Sullyvan, but especially from the Netanyahu-administration, is a profound disregard for human suffering, directly proportional to the suffering inflicted upon the population. (Allow me to invert Netanyahu's argumentation with the insanity of the 9/11 events broken down to October 7, 23.) What was responsible for the Shoah during the NS regime in Europe is now being inflicted to an even greater extent upon the people in Gaza, the West Bank, neighboring Jordan, and even directly in Israel.
I don't need to detail the reports of independent journalists, podcasters, and internationally recognized political scientists and researchers of sustainable development such as Prof. J.D. Sachs from Columbia University, Prof. John J. Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago, Prof. Tarek Masoud from the Middle East Initiative at the Kennedy School, as well as Dr. Daniele Ganser, Max Blumenthal, Cpt. Matt Hoh, Amy Goodman, Gita I. Wirjawan, Lex Fridman, Col. Douglas Macgregor, Dr. Dalal Iriqat, and many others, as you are surely familiar with these reports, research amd podcasts.
Therefore, I would like to encourage you, esteemed Foreign Ministry, Chancellor's Office, and Mr. President, as a father of three adult children and as an independent doctor and surgeon, to reconsider the stance of D-A-CH and initiate a public discourse on this matter.
As the Austrian Republic, you should take an official action to acknowledge and display that we have understood and gathered the needs, fears, immense suffering, and above all, the DAILY need for humanitarian and medical assistance for needy women, children, and men in Palestine. But especially to enable the people in Palestine to enjoy Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the UN Charter. I consider this to be essential for survival.
As you know, the trucks that bring daily food, medical supplies, and clothing to the war-torn area of Gaza stand in front of tightly closed gates! It is conceivable that the fact that Palestine is not a privileged country under the UN Charter is one of the reasons why the Netanyahu administration in the Knesset continues to refuse to open the gates protected by weapons. As can be seen in reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Red Cross, even the Israeli civilian population is involved in obstructing the delivery of much-needed aid! All of this is incomparable to the insane attacks of Hamas, which are unquestionably condemned internationally! But what has been happening in Palestine since then is unbearable to witness through the eyes of a father and a doctor, and for sure, thais is in no means an act of self-defense!
In my opinion, the first step should be for Austria to initiate a discourse at the UN level to recognize Palestine as a nation here in the German-speaking region, and thereby logically refute the argument of the Netanyahu administration that Palestine is not a protected country under the UN Charter (and therefore fair game) to cut off water. This would be a pragmatically safer approach to prevent further suffering. Doing so should not be a question of geopolitical considerations; doing so is an act of humanity. And there will probably be no one on Earth who has all their marbles who cannot understand that!
With this, our small country can make a highly visible statement and serve as an example that we can certainly be proud of, rather than the completely unrealistic ideas of sending weapons or even troops into war zones, which unfortunately have recently been heard and read from Austrian politicians. I trust that you are also appalled by the recent ideas of some European top politicians wanting to bring war into the hinterlands of Russia! This is madness, as assessed by General Inspector Harald Kujat (ret.), and I trust that you share the same view. How about diplomacy?
Because war means: ideologues speak passionately at home while young people and their families suffer fear and death on the front lines.
As a lecturer in cosmology, astronomy, and astrophotography, I would like to quote Prof. Carl Sagan, who told us: We humans are all children of stardust. All people consist of the same elements that were once created in stars through nuclear fusion. We all belong to the human family; we are nourished by the same Earth, we are at home on the same Earth, we experience the same pain at the loss of freedom, health, or even one of our loved ones. The cry of despair, pain, or suffering sounds the same in every person, regardless of their skin color, political or religious affiliation, or ethnic background. As Dr. Daniele Ganser aptly says in his books: "We are all part of the human family."
Please do not let this email be met with a copy-paste response; embrace this idea in the spirit of humanity, anthropophilia, and simply Christian charity, which we will rightly hear a lot about in our churches this coming Easter weekend.
Let us not end as Austrians with mere rhetoric while war crimes are being committed in Gaza, as judged and condemned by the UN.
It is time that, especially in full awareness of the historical background of May 11, 1949, as promised decades ago at the UN level, we FINALLY help the people in Palestine to live their human rights. The people there want nothing more than us: freedom, peace, and for the young people there, education and a hopeful outlook on the development of their quality of life.
In conclusion, I wish for my Austrian government a commitment to a public stance for peace, for welfare, and above all, a strong plea for DIPLOMACY!
Helmut Schmidt once said: "Better to negotiate fruitlessly for 100 hours than to shoot for just one minute."
Kennedy said: "Our goal is not the victory of might, but the maintenance of rights – not peace at the expense of freedom, but both: peace and freedom here in our hemisphere and – as we hope – everywhere in the world. God willing, we will achieve this goal."
Let us not only hope that diplomacy is always the nobler good in a democracy than promoting warlike conflicts, and let us spread this valuable asset in the world. Let our people experience that you as our democratically voted government stand for these values, stand for our values, as we are one!
Please stand publicly as our federal government and representative for the protection of human life wherever it is trampled upon before our eyes by ideological, geopolitical-strategic, or even economic considerations.
For historical reasons, we Austrians must not look away again! As a democratic republic, we cannot afford that.
Hey Matthew- I appreciate your critique- as always I appreciate your voice. I do however disagree with a couple major points. First, I would not put any qualifiers on the strengthening of Russia since 2022. Russia is far stronger now, full stop. Its alliance with China is firm. Russia has also shown the West what a real industrial economy looks like- here we are in the US with empty factories, while Russia pumps out new weapons and military supplies consistently. The Russian people have grown MORE supportive of the special military operation. And honestly, put yourself in their shoes. Imagine you're Russian. For years you've lived with nuclear armed weapons on your border. For years you've been next door to a failed state with literal Nazis in government. Imagine you lived in Russia and felt the effects of Ukraine's attacks on your land. Remember when Ukraine sent drones to hit apartment complexes in Russia? (I'm not sure in which city.) Those attacks inside Russia only increased Russian support for the SMP.
Also, I don't see your prediction of increased industrial output for Europe in the realm of possibility. Russia was provoked in 2014 by the Ukraine coup and the US bet (correctly) on western European leaders' backing of NATO. The US manipulated Germany into shutting down Nordstream. That wasn't good enough for the US, so the US blew it up.
A major reason the ruling elite stoked the Ukraine conflict was to force European (and particularly German) countries to be dependent on US natural gas. Europe can't possibly industrialize more now. German factories are closing because fuel is way too expensive to warrant continuing production. While the ruling elite miscalculated the effect of sanctions on the Russian economy, they gamed western Europe very well. The wealth created by jacked up LNG prices to Europe will surely make more American billionaires. But it spells doom for European industry.
Finally, I completely disagree that NATO is stronger now as an alliance. I understand that the mainstream media probably says that nonstop, but the mainstream media ignores the existence of the people. (This is particularly annoying in the US, as most people suffer devastating economic hardship without a word of validation of their struggle from the mainstream media.)
The Europeans don't seem to be particularly thrilled with their governments. And rightly so. Their governments have thrown their own people under the bus by cowtowing to US imperialism. We've seen major protests in France and Germany. Of course our media try to describe any popular uprising as "far right" in order to poison the well of those who consider joining a resistance movement. It's kind of like "trigger words"- there are certain words and phrases that turn off liberal brains, and "far right" is at the top of the list.
The ruling elite is losing control of the narrative, and the European people are rightfully irate that their money is being sent to the most corrupt government in Europe. The American people are more tuned into foreign policy than they've been in my 43-year lifespan. There is a loud vibration humming across the working class in Europe and the US. Europeans know that NATO is destroying their social democracies. And more and more Americans understand that US foreign policy is a grift. That is very bad news for NATO.
Hi Rachel,
Sorry for the delayed reply.
With regard to the popularity of the war in Russia, yes, the war is still popular, yet the public is also receptive towards peace talks. See: https://www.levada.ru/en/2024/01/26/conflict-with-ukraine-assessments-for-november-2023/
I note the popularity of the war, Putin and the government in my piece, my argument is that foreign wars, even those across a border, have political costs. I'll note that the US wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan all began with high rates of support and kept majority rates of support through the first couple/several years of war, even the Iraq War had majority/plurality support for two full years following the invasion. My expectation is that Russia will be no different with its war.
I think you misread what I said about industrial expansion/output as I was referring only to military industrial output and not to national industrial output. What you say ties into what I say in the last paragraph of that section on Russia/NATO on the danger of NATO in an economically weak and politically distraught Europe. One point of clarification, Russia shutdown its supply through Nordstream 1 and Germany didn't grant Russia license to utilize Nordstream 2. Then the Americans/British/Ukranians et al blew it up.
Did you see Sweden ended its "investigation"? Terribly pathetic.
Interesting about those pipelines- Putin just commented in the Carlson interview something about how Germany has chosen to keep one of the Nordstream lines closed. You wrote, "Germany didn't grant Russia license to utilize Nordstream 2". That may be the technical business speak of the deal, but in my brain it reads as Germany saying, "we won't buy cheap Russian gas anymore."
Because how can Germany grant Russia license to use a pipeline that already belongs to Russia? Like, I understand life is lived in a grayzone. But I'm unable to see the gray here. Meaning that Germany has decided to buy overpriced gas from the US instead of cheap gas from Russis. All this while the media implies Nordstream was completely destroyed. I didn't realize that all this time Germany could still have bought cheap Russian gas! I would be soooo pissed if I was German! Could you even imagine?!
Rachael, I concur on all points and would only add that protests are not only happening in France and Germany. Farmers, taking the lead, are stirred up across the EU and rightly so. Still, their arrogant leaders go in debt (as do we) for project Ukraine and contemplate absconding with frozen Russian funds for Ukraine's sake. I also think the win for the US regarding LNG dependence is going to be short lived as it escalates anti US sentiments in Europe.
Do you know why the Farmers are protesting in the EU?
1. We import too much food.
2. Some time ago we got shot of Monsanto with it's killing weed killers.(US Company)
3. Until we get rid of 'diesel' we cannot make any inroads to global warming.
In France we have been trying to become more of a 'green' economy BUT if we want to do this the Farmers need to be compensated. Unless we stop importing food.
The US behind China are the major polluters of the world.
Your education is worse than Sri Lanka.
I have some questions and some comments:
First, I don't know exactly what the person you responded to is thinking, but I don't see anything in their comment that suggests they directly tie the farmer protests to opposition to Ukraine policy. They are just pointing out that people are unhappy with their leadership. Regardless, "Your education is worse than Sri Lanka." is both arrogant and ignorant. I guess you are one of the people who believes Europe is a garden and the rest of the world is the jungle. Onward to my questions:
1) Why do you import too much food? Is outside food cheaper? If you import a lot of food, how would domestic production keep up? This reminds me of the haranguing around the Ukraine grain deal, where it turned out that the vast majority of that grain ended up being sent to Europe.
2) No idea what this sentence means. Are you saying Monsanto is good? You wish Europe used more of their chemicals?
3) There is another way to lessen pollution: end war and militarism. You are right that China pollutes more per capita than Europe, but the U.S is significantly worse than both. And other U.S military allies like Australia and Canada are as bad as the U.S And, I bet the fact that Europe and America have outsourced a lot of their industry to China contributes to these figures.
1. I have lived my life in 4 different countries NON of which I agree with.
2. The education in Sri Lanka was when I left far superior to US education.
3. Europe is NO "garden of Eden." We are just vassals of the USA. We nod our heads and do what the US Empire wants us to do.
4. Why do you in the US import too much food when you can grow your own but like us in Europe you are owned by corporations..........more so than us.
5. Monsanto was chucked out of Europe years ago but to fill the void we have had more chemical come here. The Farmers are seriously unhappy that they cannot produce food without chemicals and fertilizers. TOO bad.
6. A directive in France was issued (perhaps 3yrs ago) that every farmer has to leave ONE field fallow in order for the soil to regenerate. OF course the farmers didn't like this. It meant money lost. BUT in the scheme of things to me it makes sense. However the big corporations did not take notice which is why a lot of the small farmers are angry.
7. We have been trying to cut down on diesel for years. It's a difficult problem for the poor who still drive diesel cars.
I am not going to get into an argument about China because (like you) we have very little knowledge of what they are doing.
To my mind we are on the same side although on this particular comment of yours I have not been brainwashed like Americans have.
China and Russia are evil!
I lived in the US for 23yrs it was a good learning curve for me.
We lived in a Canyon in (LA County) where Woody Guthrie and Will Geer lived. During the McCarthy era most of the people living there at the time we called communists.
We were mostly with left wing people.
Outside of this Canyon NOBODY would talk politics............it was always about shopping.
The EU election is gonna be the 'talent show' of the year. Agreed that that could swing things in favour of Russia. Equally, expect some politicians to change their tune after being bribed by the West.
I live in France and am cognizant with what is happening here.
We have been 'suckers.'
What makes me SO mad is that every country in the world is FIXATED on immigration while the birth rate is dropping. It's a false flag to make people think they are being taken over. BULLSHIT
Here in France we had the Magrebines (from colonies in mostly Algeria and Morrocco.
The Magrebines made money and don't want to do work in the 'fields' so we have imported S. Americans who I do like very much.
It's not a 'talent' show. We do not deal in circus politics.
Eat your popcorn and think of this as a 'fun time' in the US.
It is NOT 'fun time' in Europe it is serious.
Your region is certainly changing. Despite it's history of education, it's dumbed down and manipulated (from both ends of the spectrum). Politics is extremism claiming to be the only reasonable side. You, like we, need the majority in the middle to standup but, more often than not, they avoid the loonies, and thus hand their lives over.
We are all aware of this.......NEVER the middle.
The middle is always subject to other sides which at times are more realistic.
ALL you have to do is look at the SNP in Scotland with regard to Israel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROyNtuqhAUM
I could go into a long dissertation but not worth the effort.
Never EVER believed in the middle.
I'm not sure why you think Americans think it is fun for our ruling elite to destroy Europe. It isn't. Americans are impoverished. We have no health care but we pay tens of thousands of dollars for it. We have no job security, we have no unemployment unless we live in NY or California. We have no right to housing, we have no right to food, we have nothing. If you're gonna be mad at the Amerixan people you're wasting your rage on victims of the same ruling elite that is f'ing you over.
Rachel. You can say this while you reside in the USA which has never in later History had wars.
Meanwhile the US have sat in their armchairs and taken NO Notice of what is happening.
We are in the centre of your wars..............we have hundreds of Ukranian deserters here and guns are coming in courtesy of the USA.
Still the US (Biden) instead of making peace with their "arch-enemy" Russia and stopping the war in Ukraine (which was started by the likes of Nuland/Blinken etc) with support by their allies (us)
Thanks, Rachel.
I was going to raise the same point, but you saved me having to put it in writing.
So, where is the peace ticket option--Kucinich/Hoh '24? Bernie did the small grass roots funding. Let's get the ticket going and kick in $24 for '24. What are you and Dennis waiting on!? :-)
Dennis is running for Congress as an independent in Ohio! https://apnews.com/article/dennis-kucinich-house-election-2d876e4e8c49ecd800af8bc2adef570d
I got an email regarding his announcement moments after I posted the comment. Right man--wrong race! Kucinich/Hoh '24!
Dear Matthew - Thank you for this comprehensive and clear, albeit gloomy, assessment of the US foreign policy situation and much more. I learned a lot, especially about Turkey and Egypt. A couple of questions and one request:
-- do you think it is pointless to go ahead with the No to NATO protests this summer, given NATO's strengthened position, or can something productive still come from this: https://www.no-to-nato.org/
-- how much can world or US opinion be effected by the impacts on the global climate crisis by the Israeli genocidal assault in Gaza, the Ukraine-Russia War, and other armed conflicts?
My request: please do not use the word "defense" which has many good connotations (as you know); please use "military" or "militarized" or "war" as in, "war industry" -- a term popularized by author and military veteran Christian Sorensen. The people and the environments of the world are not being "defended" by all this warfare and preparations for war. We are being destroyed, immediately or longer-term.
Thanks again for your honesty and clarity.
Hi Janet. Sorry for the delay. With regards to the No to NATO protests, what are the goals you are looking to accomplish?
Noted on the misuse of defense. Have you seen this:
https://www.wordsaboutwar.org/
I'm not involved in the organizing and may not even make it to DC for the protests (I don't fly), but to answer your question, please look here: https://www.no-to-nato.org/en/ These protests are the end point of the Peace Walk, as you probably know. And yes, I have read Words about War. Thanks for getting back to me.
Thanks for this update Matt. One question: Oman can play a critical role and does host important UK bases but I have been reading that the local population there, who are definitely sympathetic to Palestine, is becoming increasingly upset by the UK presence and its support for Israel. This echoes the pressures being felt by Gulf rulers, Egypt and Jordan as the Arab street becomes ever more restless. How do you view the influence of the Arab population and Asabiyya referred to by Pepe Escobar affecting the balance of powers in that region?
https://thecradle.co/articles/how-yemens-asabiyya-is-reshaping-geopolitics
Thanks, will read this from Pepe.
I have to say I know probably the least about Oman of any country in the region, but I think those pressures you cite on the Gulf monarchies, Egypt and Jordan would apply equally as well in Oman - one of the reasons both the US and those countries are so tight lipped about US military operations, bases, port calls, etc - I think the Jordanians for example are still adamant those US troops died in Jordan but Syria, imagine if the Jordanian people thought the drones operating out of Tower 22 were flying over Palestine (I don't know if that is/was the case, but certainly possible).
Reading your reply to Jenny, I believe the UK have a long established relationship with Oman having arranged for the Sultan Qaboos to come to power by a coup against his father in 1970. The Sultan had spent some years previously being trained by the British army. This is a good video giving some insight into the growth of British influence in that part of the world
https://youtu.be/Emb5BWQSfak?si=m04k19ORI_djj4Qd
Here are a couple of other relevant articles
https://www.declassifieduk.org/uk-quietly-expands-secret-gchq-spy-base-near-iran/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/fears-british-forces-gulf-soldiers-31211193
Thank you
Oman where I have spent time is a Country which really does not want to become involved much like Switzerland but it is being drawn into the ever-present US hegemony.
You talk about 'Gulf rulers' as though they are ONE. NO they are not.
I would point out that Turkey/Iran/Yemen are Persian. They speak Farci. They are NOT Arabs.
I don't think anyone said Turkey or Iran were Arabs. Yemen is an Arab nation that speaks Arabic.
With regards to Oman, Oman has had a long military relationship with the US, going back to the Carter Administration, it was the first Gulf country to host a US base (in 1980, following the revolution in Iran). It's certainly been a part of the US Empire for at least a couple of generations although it is much quieter about its relationship with the US than other nations in the region and it has, to your point about Switzerland, attempted to play a role as mediator between nations.
Interesting assessments. The only thing missing is how current Dem policies will affect electoral politics the next time around.
The 2028 race is taking shape now. Team Blue has told the left to pound sand once too often, and the left is building alternatives.
Hi James. I am hoping that along with the Stein, West and Libertarian campaigns, the Kennedy and a No Labels campaign will cause significant disruption and create/force opportunities for political expansion in a host of ways, including prioritizing the eradication of the electoral college, pushing ranked choice voting (the first step toward proportional represtentation), a restructuring how media covers politics (not through the legacy corporate media but through independent/alternative media) and a strengthening of third/independent parties. Of course the established political system is not going to just accept this and so I expect also to see reactionary attempts in many states and at the federal level to stop such effects (for example how NY handled its ballot access in 2022). Things might get worse before they get better.
I agree.
Your interview with Scott led me here. Great assessment.
Russia has secured Crimea and has 4 seaside oblasts and increased its population - if this becomes a Korea-styled situation, Russia will have won even without achieving its full objectives. Despite the dead bodies, he's reinvigorated nationalism and protected the majority of the Russian-speaking victims of the civil war.
The biggest local strategic win would be to get Odessa and link to Transnistria. That's essential to counterbalance Finland and Poland, the latter the future NATO-backed industrial region of the EU (so long as it doesn't tear itself apart). But its a big ask considering Russia would have to take Dnipro first.
A more radicalised Ukraine will be terrible for the population, especially Russian-speakers, but further dent the West's marketed morals. I expect most talented expats will not return from the EU.
War has unknown factors e.g., would NATO be as foolish as to enter Ukraine, forcing a big response from Putin.
In context, the war has been an enormous strategic win for Russia and China, their attempt to challenge the dollar and gain prestige in Africa.
Hi Mike. Thank you.
Very well put. I concur with what you are saying/suggesting. Your suggestion of annexed parts of Ukraine serving as an industrial counterweight to the EU is quite keen (of course once it is all rebuilt). That certainly gives added weight to those who would argue for further Russian advances.
Ukraine is 4.5 million laborers short, like you I doubt many of the 6 million who fled are going to return. Would you? I'm not sure I would.
Yes, those are two strategic accomplishments for Russia and China, although much of that success can be equally attributable to the US' appalling foreign policy and relations with regions/nations.
Yes, the USA's arrogance has it standing on its own foot. And it's currently dancing hard on the border in Moldova and Romania, so we'll have to see if it's improves, or wasn't meant to be a dancer.
People get caught up in nationalism and fear of nationalism, and seem supportive of their government during hard times. Once the dust settles, most will lose the psychosis but not the fear.
What is 'winning?' It's not a Baseball game.
"A more radicalised Ukraine .........blah blah blah..........
DO you now how many Americans are fleeing to Europe?
Those in charge seem to treat it as a game. You react as if it's our game, but we're not playing. And even though we're aren't, we're losing. I don't understand how you can be flippant.
I really am not being 'flippant.'
Maybe you are not 'playing' but the circus of politics goes on and on.
The minute you have a new President the 'game' begins. Then then mid-term election/debates which are not debates.
You have a 2 party system all owned by big money.
Who do you vote for?
I wouldn't vote.
My country has a far more radicalised version, so called commies versus libs, ANC vs the DA with the radical EFF in the mix, but from my experience I expect they are funded by the same people.
Whereas I think Javier Milei is an arse, I understand people voting for him out of desperation for something different because 200% inflation means you can't vote for the old guys.
But the USA is just groundhog day... but done in 23 hours one election, and then 22 hours the next election, like a countdown to voluntary destruction. So long as you have a two-party system of bought-in-a-can nuts, you should be doing charity work and improving your street instead of wasting time on politics (except to attend protests against more rules).
Firstly. Iran is NOT an Arabic Country. It is Persian and they speak Farsi.
hi Matt
saw you first in interviews at legendary Andrew Nap. followed your work on the internet. the following is just to display, your work sure moves people around the globe. here is a part of a letter I sent to my Ausrian government:
...this leads me to address you, the Foreign Ministry, the Chancellor's Office, and especially our President:
How can an Austrian understand, given the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian population, that Austria still has not emancipated itself from the stance of the D-A-CH countries? Why does official Austria still refuse to recognize Palestine as a nation? You are certainly aware that 138 other UN member states have ratified recognition?
The US-aligned narrative constantly heard from politicians like Mrs. Nuland, Mr. Blinken, Mr. Kirby, Mr. Sullyvan, but especially from the Netanyahu-administration, is a profound disregard for human suffering, directly proportional to the suffering inflicted upon the population. (Allow me to invert Netanyahu's argumentation with the insanity of the 9/11 events broken down to October 7, 23.) What was responsible for the Shoah during the NS regime in Europe is now being inflicted to an even greater extent upon the people in Gaza, the West Bank, neighboring Jordan, and even directly in Israel.
I don't need to detail the reports of independent journalists, podcasters, and internationally recognized political scientists and researchers of sustainable development such as Prof. J.D. Sachs from Columbia University, Prof. John J. Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago, Prof. Tarek Masoud from the Middle East Initiative at the Kennedy School, as well as Dr. Daniele Ganser, Max Blumenthal, Cpt. Matt Hoh, Amy Goodman, Gita I. Wirjawan, Lex Fridman, Col. Douglas Macgregor, Dr. Dalal Iriqat, and many others, as you are surely familiar with these reports, research amd podcasts.
Therefore, I would like to encourage you, esteemed Foreign Ministry, Chancellor's Office, and Mr. President, as a father of three adult children and as an independent doctor and surgeon, to reconsider the stance of D-A-CH and initiate a public discourse on this matter.
As the Austrian Republic, you should take an official action to acknowledge and display that we have understood and gathered the needs, fears, immense suffering, and above all, the DAILY need for humanitarian and medical assistance for needy women, children, and men in Palestine. But especially to enable the people in Palestine to enjoy Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the UN Charter. I consider this to be essential for survival.
As you know, the trucks that bring daily food, medical supplies, and clothing to the war-torn area of Gaza stand in front of tightly closed gates! It is conceivable that the fact that Palestine is not a privileged country under the UN Charter is one of the reasons why the Netanyahu administration in the Knesset continues to refuse to open the gates protected by weapons. As can be seen in reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Red Cross, even the Israeli civilian population is involved in obstructing the delivery of much-needed aid! All of this is incomparable to the insane attacks of Hamas, which are unquestionably condemned internationally! But what has been happening in Palestine since then is unbearable to witness through the eyes of a father and a doctor, and for sure, thais is in no means an act of self-defense!
In my opinion, the first step should be for Austria to initiate a discourse at the UN level to recognize Palestine as a nation here in the German-speaking region, and thereby logically refute the argument of the Netanyahu administration that Palestine is not a protected country under the UN Charter (and therefore fair game) to cut off water. This would be a pragmatically safer approach to prevent further suffering. Doing so should not be a question of geopolitical considerations; doing so is an act of humanity. And there will probably be no one on Earth who has all their marbles who cannot understand that!
With this, our small country can make a highly visible statement and serve as an example that we can certainly be proud of, rather than the completely unrealistic ideas of sending weapons or even troops into war zones, which unfortunately have recently been heard and read from Austrian politicians. I trust that you are also appalled by the recent ideas of some European top politicians wanting to bring war into the hinterlands of Russia! This is madness, as assessed by General Inspector Harald Kujat (ret.), and I trust that you share the same view. How about diplomacy?
Because war means: ideologues speak passionately at home while young people and their families suffer fear and death on the front lines.
As a lecturer in cosmology, astronomy, and astrophotography, I would like to quote Prof. Carl Sagan, who told us: We humans are all children of stardust. All people consist of the same elements that were once created in stars through nuclear fusion. We all belong to the human family; we are nourished by the same Earth, we are at home on the same Earth, we experience the same pain at the loss of freedom, health, or even one of our loved ones. The cry of despair, pain, or suffering sounds the same in every person, regardless of their skin color, political or religious affiliation, or ethnic background. As Dr. Daniele Ganser aptly says in his books: "We are all part of the human family."
Please do not let this email be met with a copy-paste response; embrace this idea in the spirit of humanity, anthropophilia, and simply Christian charity, which we will rightly hear a lot about in our churches this coming Easter weekend.
Let us not end as Austrians with mere rhetoric while war crimes are being committed in Gaza, as judged and condemned by the UN.
It is time that, especially in full awareness of the historical background of May 11, 1949, as promised decades ago at the UN level, we FINALLY help the people in Palestine to live their human rights. The people there want nothing more than us: freedom, peace, and for the young people there, education and a hopeful outlook on the development of their quality of life.
In conclusion, I wish for my Austrian government a commitment to a public stance for peace, for welfare, and above all, a strong plea for DIPLOMACY!
Helmut Schmidt once said: "Better to negotiate fruitlessly for 100 hours than to shoot for just one minute."
Kennedy said: "Our goal is not the victory of might, but the maintenance of rights – not peace at the expense of freedom, but both: peace and freedom here in our hemisphere and – as we hope – everywhere in the world. God willing, we will achieve this goal."
Let us not only hope that diplomacy is always the nobler good in a democracy than promoting warlike conflicts, and let us spread this valuable asset in the world. Let our people experience that you as our democratically voted government stand for these values, stand for our values, as we are one!
Please stand publicly as our federal government and representative for the protection of human life wherever it is trampled upon before our eyes by ideological, geopolitical-strategic, or even economic considerations.
For historical reasons, we Austrians must not look away again! As a democratic republic, we cannot afford that.
Best regards with gratitude,
Dr. Dietmar Hager
dear Mr Hoh,
the following is just to display, that based upon your work, you get to move people around the globe! here is a letter I just sent to my government in Austria:
...this leads me to address you, the Foreign Ministry, the Chancellor's Office, and especially our President:
How can an Austrian understand, given the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian population, that Austria still has not emancipated itself from the stance of the D-A-CH countries? Why does official Austria still refuse to recognize Palestine as a nation? You are certainly aware that 138 other UN member states have ratified recognition?
The US-aligned narrative constantly heard from politicians like Mrs. Nuland, Mr. Blinken, Mr. Kirby, Mr. Sullyvan, but especially from the Netanyahu-administration, is a profound disregard for human suffering, directly proportional to the suffering inflicted upon the population. (Allow me to invert Netanyahu's argumentation with the insanity of the 9/11 events broken down to October 7, 23.) What was responsible for the Shoah during the NS regime in Europe is now being inflicted to an even greater extent upon the people in Gaza, the West Bank, neighboring Jordan, and even directly in Israel.
I don't need to detail the reports of independent journalists, podcasters, and internationally recognized political scientists and researchers of sustainable development such as Prof. J.D. Sachs from Columbia University, Prof. John J. Mearsheimer from the University of Chicago, Prof. Tarek Masoud from the Middle East Initiative at the Kennedy School, as well as Dr. Daniele Ganser, Max Blumenthal, Cpt. Matt Hoh, Amy Goodman, Gita I. Wirjawan, Lex Fridman, Col. Douglas Macgregor, Dr. Dalal Iriqat, and many others, as you are surely familiar with these reports, research amd podcasts.
Therefore, I would like to encourage you, esteemed Foreign Ministry, Chancellor's Office, and Mr. President, as a father of three adult children and as an independent doctor and surgeon, to reconsider the stance of D-A-CH and initiate a public discourse on this matter.
As the Austrian Republic, you should take an official action to acknowledge and display that we have understood and gathered the needs, fears, immense suffering, and above all, the DAILY need for humanitarian and medical assistance for needy women, children, and men in Palestine. But especially to enable the people in Palestine to enjoy Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the UN Charter. I consider this to be essential for survival.
As you know, the trucks that bring daily food, medical supplies, and clothing to the war-torn area of Gaza stand in front of tightly closed gates! It is conceivable that the fact that Palestine is not a privileged country under the UN Charter is one of the reasons why the Netanyahu administration in the Knesset continues to refuse to open the gates protected by weapons. As can be seen in reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Red Cross, even the Israeli civilian population is involved in obstructing the delivery of much-needed aid! All of this is incomparable to the insane attacks of Hamas, which are unquestionably condemned internationally! But what has been happening in Palestine since then is unbearable to witness through the eyes of a father and a doctor, and for sure, thais is in no means an act of self-defense!
In my opinion, the first step should be for Austria to initiate a discourse at the UN level to recognize Palestine as a nation here in the German-speaking region, and thereby logically refute the argument of the Netanyahu administration that Palestine is not a protected country under the UN Charter (and therefore fair game) to cut off water. This would be a pragmatically safer approach to prevent further suffering. Doing so should not be a question of geopolitical considerations; doing so is an act of humanity. And there will probably be no one on Earth who has all their marbles who cannot understand that!
With this, our small country can make a highly visible statement and serve as an example that we can certainly be proud of, rather than the completely unrealistic ideas of sending weapons or even troops into war zones, which unfortunately have recently been heard and read from Austrian politicians. I trust that you are also appalled by the recent ideas of some European top politicians wanting to bring war into the hinterlands of Russia! This is madness, as assessed by General Inspector Harald Kujat (ret.), and I trust that you share the same view. How about diplomacy?
Because war means: ideologues speak passionately at home while young people and their families suffer fear and death on the front lines.
As a lecturer in cosmology, astronomy, and astrophotography, I would like to quote Prof. Carl Sagan, who told us: We humans are all children of stardust. All people consist of the same elements that were once created in stars through nuclear fusion. We all belong to the human family; we are nourished by the same Earth, we are at home on the same Earth, we experience the same pain at the loss of freedom, health, or even one of our loved ones. The cry of despair, pain, or suffering sounds the same in every person, regardless of their skin color, political or religious affiliation, or ethnic background. As Dr. Daniele Ganser aptly says in his books: "We are all part of the human family."
Please do not let this email be met with a copy-paste response; embrace this idea in the spirit of humanity, anthropophilia, and simply Christian charity, which we will rightly hear a lot about in our churches this coming Easter weekend.
Let us not end as Austrians with mere rhetoric while war crimes are being committed in Gaza, as judged and condemned by the UN.
It is time that, especially in full awareness of the historical background of May 11, 1949, as promised decades ago at the UN level, we FINALLY help the people in Palestine to live their human rights. The people there want nothing more than us: freedom, peace, and for the young people there, education and a hopeful outlook on the development of their quality of life.
In conclusion, I wish for my Austrian government a commitment to a public stance for peace, for welfare, and above all, a strong plea for DIPLOMACY!
Helmut Schmidt once said: "Better to negotiate fruitlessly for 100 hours than to shoot for just one minute."
Kennedy said: "Our goal is not the victory of might, but the maintenance of rights – not peace at the expense of freedom, but both: peace and freedom here in our hemisphere and – as we hope – everywhere in the world. God willing, we will achieve this goal."
Let us not only hope that diplomacy is always the nobler good in a democracy than promoting warlike conflicts, and let us spread this valuable asset in the world. Let our people experience that you as our democratically voted government stand for these values, stand for our values, as we are one!
Please stand publicly as our federal government and representative for the protection of human life wherever it is trampled upon before our eyes by ideological, geopolitical-strategic, or even economic considerations.
For historical reasons, we Austrians must not look away again! As a democratic republic, we cannot afford that.
Best regards with gratitude,
Dr. Dietmar Hager
hdietmarr@gmail.com