America’s wars: Nothing great about them except the power to destroy not just the enemy, but also themselves
n 1989, the Red Army limped out of that country, leaving behind perhaps two million dead Afghans and 15,000 of its own dead. Not so long after, the Soviet Union itself imploded and the US became the only “great power” on planet Earth.
America’s wars are nothing more than ‘ordering a wilderness of human horrors into a celebratory tale and culture’
Here’s the thing: the American experience of war since 1945 should have offered an all-too-obvious lesson for us, as well as for the planet’s other great powers, when it comes to the value of giant military establishments and the conflicts that go with them.
Changed times: Biden faces different test in 2024 presidential race with more ‘retail politics ‘ in play
Biden took office in January 2021 just as Covid vaccines were rolling out and economic conditions gradually normalised during his early tenure after the shock of nationwide shutdowns. The United States now boasts 3.2 million jobs over the pre-pandemic peak.
Ukraine: France, Baltic states warn China against ‘parroting the propaganda of Russian outsiders’
France responded on Sunday by stating its “full solidarity” with all the allied countries affected, which it said had acquired their independence “after decades of oppression”.
PM Netanyahu’s ultranationalism pushed back by demos as Israel limps toward 75th birthday
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a polarising leader revered by supporters and reviled by opponents, has played a key role in the crisis. The divisions gained steam as he was indicted on corruption charges in 2019. Israel barrelled through five cycles of elections in under four years — all of them focused on Netanyahu’s fitness to rule.
Foreigners flee chaos Sudan as faction of army tries to break into prison holding ousted dictator Bashir
In other fighting, a senior military official said it repelled an RSF attack on Kober Prison in Khartoum where Sudan’s long-time ruler, Omar al-Bashir and former officials in his movement have been held since his 2019 ouster.
Sudan’s military strongmen agree to evacuate Western nationals as civilian deaths hit 400
Foreign countries have struggled in vain to repatriate their citizens, a task deemed far too risky as clashes between the Sudanese army and a rival powerful paramilitary group have raged in and around Khartoum, including in residential areas.
Sudan’s military rivals fight to the death over the spoils as it emerges US and Russia are stoking the conflict
Gen Burhan and Gen Hemedti signed the agreement but probably never intended to honour it – both only stood to lose power and the extensive business interests that went with it if a civilian government took control. The FA was vague about what should happen to the RSF in the transition, but Burhan evidently demanded it be absorbed into the SAF in two years. Hemedti insisted that could only happen in 10 years.
Democrat Robert F. Kennedy launches presidential nomination, vows to protect American children from chronic diseases
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday officially launched his campaign for the Democratic nomination for president, telling an overflow crowd in Boston that if he has not “significantly dropped the level of chronic disease in our children by the end of my first term, I do not want you to...
Gunfire in Sudan capital on Eid holiday, army moves in on foot as Gen Burhan faction vows to kick out rivals
An international push for a temporary truce to allow civilians to reach safety and visit family over the three day holiday has so far failed. Foreign nations including the United States, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Spain have been unable to evacuate their citizens.
