Author Archives: Jack

Romney: Wrong on Russia

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Jack

When President Obama was overheard telling Russian president Dmitri Medvedev that he could be “more flexible” in negotiations on missile defense following the election, Governor Mitt Romney was quick to pounce, calling Russia America’s “Number one geopolitical foe.” The New … Continue reading →

Posted in In the United States, In the World, Musings and Polemics | 1 Comment

The Russian Election: Watch Mikhail Prokhorov

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jack

Most observers assume that Vladimir Putin will win on the first ballot in Sunday’s election. That is as close to certain as anything in the future can be, but the interesting question will be whether extensive fraud will be required … Continue reading →

Posted in In the World | 7 Comments

The GOP Presidential Primary Circus: Radical is Not Conservative

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Jack

Tom Friedman has a column in today’s New York Times that really hits home. Entitled “We Need a Second Party,” he bewails the absence of any evidence that the politicians competing for the Republican nomination for president have a clue … Continue reading →

Posted in In the United States, Musings and Polemics | 8 Comments

Demonstrations in Moscow

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Jack

You will find an eyewitness description of the demonstrations in Moscow yesterday here. You will also find a very interesting discussion of the charges by Prime Minister Putin that the United States has been trying to create an “Orange Revolution” … Continue reading →

Posted in In the World | 9 Comments

Gorbachev’s Achievements

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Jack

Oxford Professor Archie Brown, who has written several insightful studies of Gorbachev and, most recently, a much acclaimed  The Rise and Fall of Communism, summarized in a recent posting what he considers Gorbachev’s twelve most significant achievements.  He points out that the list is … Continue reading →

Posted in In the World | 2 Comments

Mikhail Gorbachev’s 80th Birthday

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Jack

Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union, will turn 80 on March 2. It is remarkable to me that so many of his compatriots fail to recognize his contribution to some of the most momentous changes in world politics. … Continue reading →

Posted in In the World | 1 Comment