toward a just and sustainable world
The images we are seeing of the conflict in Ukraine continue to shock and generate understandable sympathy for the people of Ukraine that find themselves in the middle of this nightmare. It is entirely understandable that the first instinct of the people of Ukraine is to fight the invaders with everything they have. It is … Read more Bringing an End to the Conflict in Ukraine
“Non-violent defence” is an oxymoron. Or so it appears to many people. You hear the word “defence”, you think of “military”. You hear the term “national security”, you think of a state’s military strength (and perhaps diplomacy). The military has hi-jacked the terms defence and national security. Consequently, it sounds absurd to talk about non-violent … Read more The Viability of Nonviolent Defence Today
It is always difficult to admit that one was wrong about something. I have to confess that I was wrong about Vladimir Putin. I was not alone in seeing his record of the last twenty years as displaying the characteristics ruthlessness and determination, but also of caution, pragmatism and rationality in regard to Russian … Read more Unattractive Options in the Ukraine Crisis: What is to be done?
10 ways to avoid a devastating war in Ukraine As the crisis in Ukraine accelerates, President Biden and other leaders have acted wisely in continuing diplomatic efforts. However, leaders in the United States and Russia, including Vladimir Putin and Mr. Biden, too often escalate conflict in Eastern Europe with military deployments, at times dehumanizing opponents … Read more A Possible Path to Peace – in Ukraine and Elsewhere
President Putin is responding to Ukraine just as President Biden would under similar circumstances. NATO needs to find a face-saving formula expressing the reality that Ukraine will not be joining NATO, thereby avoiding a devastating war. In the 19th century and today great powers have spheres of influence. Russia no more “deserves” or “has … Read more NATO, Russia and the Ukraine Issue