My wife and I will be shortly be heading out for the Botanic Gardens on this beautiful morning (the window project has been put off till next week). Thanks for the many thoughtful comments overnight. I understand that some may be put off by bans, but I do that—rarely, I hope—because I want to provide space for thoughtful reflections that won’t be drowned out by those who refuse to engage with the content here. Of course, readers won’t be aware of some of what goes on ‘behind the scenes’, but that’s my rationale. Seeing the thoughtful comments like those overnight reaffirm my commitment.
Before the current celebrity status of the ICC, back in the day when it was starting, one of the justifications for an imperfect ICC (ex excluding jurisdiction over the USA etc), was that this was better than no ICC.
Right now the hegemon is flailing and many actors are pushing with their elbows to get ahead.
The ICC isn't perfect. Just like UN agencies (or committees) like the UNHCR or UNICEF are not perfect.
But the world's a better place because they exist. So maybe this indictment is a step in the right direction for the ICC. Mistakes will be made and political calculations will always exist, but maybe the international space needs actors who are not Nation-states.
Well said.. I agree re Mearscheimer. Often is the distinctions that are more important than the similarities. I despair at the common tendency to paint the world in binary, particularly in colors of red and blue.
Thanks for all your daily labours on this site, Mark.
If you're ever in Saint Louis, be sure to visit the Missouri Botanical Garden, known by us locals as Shaw's Garden, after the man who donated the land for it, and for Tower Grove Park.
EU Commissioner threatens Georgia’s PM over passage of legislation on foreign NGO funding. He better watch his back - can’t imagine he is on good terms with his president:
“In what Kobakhidze called a "horrific threat", he said that during the phone call the commissioner referenced a recent assassination attempt on Slovakia's prime minister and said: "You've seen what happened to (Robert) Fico and you must be very careful."
The ridiculous spectacle of our Congressmen attempting to execute foreign policy with their threats of retaliation against the ICC and their concern over the conditions and timing of the provision of US weapons to Israel is exceedingly depressing and makes one wonder if there are any who are sane that are left in DC.
The ICC has no means of enforcing its orders. Might makes right. It’s always been that way, so Bibi is safe as is Putin. Bibi gains from the war criminal declaration in the eyes of many, just as Trump gains from the malicious prosecutions. They can both claim that they are being unfairly targeted and that plays right into their support base. Please don’t mistake what I am saying. Bibi is a war criminal, as are so many US presidents who have invaded sovereign countries on pretenses and with no declarations of war and then proceeded to indiscriminately bomb the population. This is the conduct of modern war, and it’s why I would prefer that war would be a last rather than a first resort. Once a nation enters into a war, it’s a race to the bottom and with every provocation there is justification to go even lower, to bomb and kill even more, to become more recalcitrant despite the ubiquitous death and destruction, and to make settlement difficult until one side is completely annihilated or both sides have finally determined that they can no longer bear the costs.
Instead of Cruz and Cotton and the other warmongers focusing on how to increase the intensity of the conflict, why can’t they focus on what the role of Congress is? Is it to conduct foreign policy or is it to appropriate money for ostensibly good purposes and pass laws that ensure a stable and just society?
I’m concerned about all the death and destruction overseas, yet I don’t see how anything we are doing is helping to bring about peace. Rather I see just the opposite. I suppose it’s easier to focus on what’s wrong elsewhere than to fix the problems in our own backyard.
I liked Cruz in 2016 over Trump. Well now that I know more I don’t care for Cruz either. I wasn’t sure what you were referring to with the IVF, so I looked it up. At a glance I have no idea why this is an important issue. So what if states ban IVF? It is pure pandering.
We are an unserious country, consuming our time and energy on unserious matters.
"Bibi gains from the war criminal declaration in the eyes of many, just as Trump gains from the malicious prosecutions"
I have to disagree with that part. The evidence in both instances is out there for all to see, and that's what makes the difference. People know genocide when they see it--and they are seeing it. They also know political persecution when they see it.
As for "a race to the bottom," in world opinion I'm afraid America, with its shameless bullying and arrogance, has already reached that point.
To clarify, my point was that Bibi will gain in the sense that his ardent supporters will be forced to openly come to his rescue, as Mike Johnson has now done, threatening the ICC with US sanctions. This is just what Bibi wants and it may also have the benefit of solidifying his support amongst Israelis who otherwise do not care for him. I was not attempting to draw an exact parallel between Bibi and Trump. The charges against Bibi have merit. Those against Trump do not.
For many of us who were not old enough to understand the Israeli conflicts of previous years, this war is eye opening. At one time, I had respect for the Israeli state. This war forced me to research the history of the founding of Israel and what has happened since and it is in no way complimentary to Israel.
Recently Ambassador Chas Freeman, very impressive, voiced similar observations on the Duran. He simply said, “the President is not doing his job,” meaning he is authorized and has the moral obligation to seek peace. Yet…
This discussion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ2i7RvMed8&pp=ygUTYWxleGFuZGVyIG1lcmNvdXJpcw%3D%3D between Alexander Mercouris and Dmiti Lascaris (not on TheDuran) was informative for me as to the timing and rationale behind the ICC action.
Before the current celebrity status of the ICC, back in the day when it was starting, one of the justifications for an imperfect ICC (ex excluding jurisdiction over the USA etc), was that this was better than no ICC.
Right now the hegemon is flailing and many actors are pushing with their elbows to get ahead.
The ICC isn't perfect. Just like UN agencies (or committees) like the UNHCR or UNICEF are not perfect.
But the world's a better place because they exist. So maybe this indictment is a step in the right direction for the ICC. Mistakes will be made and political calculations will always exist, but maybe the international space needs actors who are not Nation-states.
Well said.. I agree re Mearscheimer. Often is the distinctions that are more important than the similarities. I despair at the common tendency to paint the world in binary, particularly in colors of red and blue.
Thanks for all your daily labours on this site, Mark.
If you're ever in Saint Louis, be sure to visit the Missouri Botanical Garden, known by us locals as Shaw's Garden, after the man who donated the land for it, and for Tower Grove Park.
I know people who have been there and they all spoke highly of it.
Our zoo, science center, art museum and history museum are also highly acclaimed.
EU Commissioner threatens Georgia’s PM over passage of legislation on foreign NGO funding. He better watch his back - can’t imagine he is on good terms with his president:
“In what Kobakhidze called a "horrific threat", he said that during the phone call the commissioner referenced a recent assassination attempt on Slovakia's prime minister and said: "You've seen what happened to (Robert) Fico and you must be very careful."
https://www.barrons.com/news/georgia-pm-accuses-eu-commissioner-of-threat-over-controversial-law-b615ea4e
Oh and by the by, Georgia is not even a member of the iron-fisted EU, which makes its threats all the more outrageous, if not villainous.
Wow!
What goes around:
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/blowback-african-coup-belt
The ridiculous spectacle of our Congressmen attempting to execute foreign policy with their threats of retaliation against the ICC and their concern over the conditions and timing of the provision of US weapons to Israel is exceedingly depressing and makes one wonder if there are any who are sane that are left in DC.
The ICC has no means of enforcing its orders. Might makes right. It’s always been that way, so Bibi is safe as is Putin. Bibi gains from the war criminal declaration in the eyes of many, just as Trump gains from the malicious prosecutions. They can both claim that they are being unfairly targeted and that plays right into their support base. Please don’t mistake what I am saying. Bibi is a war criminal, as are so many US presidents who have invaded sovereign countries on pretenses and with no declarations of war and then proceeded to indiscriminately bomb the population. This is the conduct of modern war, and it’s why I would prefer that war would be a last rather than a first resort. Once a nation enters into a war, it’s a race to the bottom and with every provocation there is justification to go even lower, to bomb and kill even more, to become more recalcitrant despite the ubiquitous death and destruction, and to make settlement difficult until one side is completely annihilated or both sides have finally determined that they can no longer bear the costs.
Instead of Cruz and Cotton and the other warmongers focusing on how to increase the intensity of the conflict, why can’t they focus on what the role of Congress is? Is it to conduct foreign policy or is it to appropriate money for ostensibly good purposes and pass laws that ensure a stable and just society?
I’m concerned about all the death and destruction overseas, yet I don’t see how anything we are doing is helping to bring about peace. Rather I see just the opposite. I suppose it’s easier to focus on what’s wrong elsewhere than to fix the problems in our own backyard.
I don't see why Cruz had to stick his nose into the issue of IVF. His proposal would trample state's rights. Pure pandering.
To think that I supported him in 2016.
Cotton's another disappointment.
Agreed. I used to think both of these Senators were better than that. I guess I was misinformed.
Bob, one good thing for me is I've lost my naivete. I can say with Willard Duncan Vandiver, "I'm from Missouri and you have to show mw."
I liked Cruz in 2016 over Trump. Well now that I know more I don’t care for Cruz either. I wasn’t sure what you were referring to with the IVF, so I looked it up. At a glance I have no idea why this is an important issue. So what if states ban IVF? It is pure pandering.
We are an unserious country, consuming our time and energy on unserious matters.
Well stated.
"Bibi gains from the war criminal declaration in the eyes of many, just as Trump gains from the malicious prosecutions"
I have to disagree with that part. The evidence in both instances is out there for all to see, and that's what makes the difference. People know genocide when they see it--and they are seeing it. They also know political persecution when they see it.
As for "a race to the bottom," in world opinion I'm afraid America, with its shameless bullying and arrogance, has already reached that point.
To clarify, my point was that Bibi will gain in the sense that his ardent supporters will be forced to openly come to his rescue, as Mike Johnson has now done, threatening the ICC with US sanctions. This is just what Bibi wants and it may also have the benefit of solidifying his support amongst Israelis who otherwise do not care for him. I was not attempting to draw an exact parallel between Bibi and Trump. The charges against Bibi have merit. Those against Trump do not.
For many of us who were not old enough to understand the Israeli conflicts of previous years, this war is eye opening. At one time, I had respect for the Israeli state. This war forced me to research the history of the founding of Israel and what has happened since and it is in no way complimentary to Israel.
Love the blog and the updates as always. Thanks.
To your last sentence, America is presently lower than a snake's belly.
Recently Ambassador Chas Freeman, very impressive, voiced similar observations on the Duran. He simply said, “the President is not doing his job,” meaning he is authorized and has the moral obligation to seek peace. Yet…