US and Saudi Arabia - 7.26.2026

The debate over war with Iran ignores important historical facts. Fifteen of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers were Saudi nationals, yet Saudi Arabia was never invaded or subjected to a U.S. bombing campaign. The bipartisan 9/11 Commission Report was published in 2004, and while a classified section concerning possible foreign government support was later declassified, questions and debate about Saudi Arabia's role have continued.

U.S. intelligence also assessed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the operation that led to the murder and dismemberment of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Now Washington is pressing Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel as part of a nuclear agreement. The United States must not reward Israel with expanded diplomatic recognition while the devastating war in Gaza continues and violence by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank persists, with repeated allegations that members of Israel's security forces have failed to prevent or have supported abuses. Lasting peace cannot be built on impunity.

Iran's neighbors have repeatedly expressed a preference for diplomacy over another catastrophic regional war. America should pursue consistent principles, accountability, respect for international law, and diplomacy—not selective outrage, double standards, or another endless conflict.

Britain and the tragic legacy of its empire - 7.26.2026

Why does Great (??) Britain so often escape scrutiny for its imperial legacy?

For centuries, the British Empire expanded through military conquest, colonial rule, and the extraction of wealth from other nations. Many of today's geopolitical conflicts have roots in those imperial policies.

Iran is one example. In 1953, Britain, with assistance from the United States, supported the overthrow of Mohammad Mossadegh after he nationalized Iran's oil industry, restoring the Shah and helping protect British Petroleum's interests. Many historians regard that intervention as a major factor contributing to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and decades of mistrust between Iran and the West.

Likewise, Britain's administration of Palestine and its decisions during the Mandate period remain central to one of the world's most enduring conflicts. Today, as the war in Gaza continues and violence persists in the West Bank, many critics argue that Western governments—including Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, and the United States—have prioritized military and diplomatic support for Israel while failing to do enough to protect Palestinian civilians.

History matters. If we seek lasting peace, every nation must honestly confront its role in creating and sustaining conflict, regardless of its power or influence.

Nicholas Kristof, we salute you! - 7.24.2026

Nicholas Kristof's latest column is a heartbreaking reminder of the human cost of war and political indifference. From Sudan to the occupied West Bank, innocent civilians continue to suffer while humanitarian aid is blocked or destroyed. The shutdown of USAID has compounded the misery of millions who depend on lifesaving assistance.

Kristof has repeatedly risked his own safety to bear witness to suffering that many would rather ignore. His reporting gives a voice to the forgotten and challenges readers to confront the moral consequences of government policies.

It is deeply tragic that conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan, and elsewhere continue to inflict immense suffering on vulnerable communities. Humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross and other aid agencies, should be allowed safe access to conflict zones to deliver lifesaving assistance and document abuses wherever they occur.

We owe Nicholas Kristof our gratitude for bringing these stories to the world's attention despite the great personal risks he has taken. Journalism at its best shines a light where others look away, and Kristof continues to exemplify that tradition. Compassion without action is not enough. We must demand policies that protect human life, restore humanitarian assistance, and ensure that aid reaches those in desperate need before countless more lives are lost. 

Idia’s "Cockroach Democracy" - 7.24.2026

The title "Cockroach Democracy" is both ironic and powerful. India's youth adopted the name "Cockroach" after being derided by a senior public official, transforming an insult into a symbol of resilience and resistance. Today, the Cockroach Janta Party has become a nationwide movement demanding honest government, educational reform, and accountability after repeated exam paper leaks shattered the dreams of millions of students. Protesters continue to demand the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, arguing that those responsible must be held accountable. Reports also link the scandal to student suicides, deepening public outrage.

The movement reflects broader concerns about concentrated political power and shrinking space for dissent. Arundhati Roy warns that when wealth, media, and political authority become concentrated in too few hands, democracy itself is endangered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, formerly Chief Minister of Gujarat during the 2002 communal violence, was denied a U.S. visa for many years because of concerns related to those events. Democratic governments must welcome scrutiny, protect peaceful protest, and ensure that independent institutions hold leaders accountable.

"Cockroach Democracy" is therefore not merely India's story. It is a warning to every democracy: when citizens lose faith that government serves the public rather than the powerful, democracy itself is placed at risk.

Empire of Abuse? - 7.23.2026

The arrests of Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate on rape and sex trafficking charges are a sobering reminder of the danger posed when wealth, fame, and social media influence are used to exploit and degrade others. Millions of young men have been exposed to messages that glorify misogyny, domination, and contempt for women.

No political movement should tolerate or celebrate individuals accused of such serious crimes. If we are to build a society based on dignity, justice, and respect, we must reject those who profit from abuse and hold everyone accountable under the rule of law.

The allegations against Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate should serve as a wake-up call. Public figures who normalize violence, intimidation, or exploitation should not be role models. Justice must be allowed to take its course without political interference or celebrity privilege.

A healthy democracy depends not only on free speech but also on moral responsibility. We owe future generations better examples than those who turn cruelty into entertainment and exploitation into a business model. 

Holocaust scholar speaks out against horrific genocide - 7.23.2026

As New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani calls on President Donald Trump to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, the world must confront a painful question: Why does impunity continue despite mounting evidence and international concern over Israel's conduct in Gaza?

When a respected Holocaust and genocide scholar warns that a horrific genocide continues be unfolding, the warning should not be dismissed because it is politically inconvenient. The lessons of history demand that credible allegations of genocide and war crimes be investigated impartially, regardless of the nation or leader involved.

If Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces allegations of war crimes, enters the United States, the federal government should fulfill any applicable legal obligations and ensure that no one is above the law. International justice has meaning only if it is applied consistently, without fear or political favoritism.

History will judge not only those who commit atrocities, but also those who remain silent. Accountability, justice, and the protection of innocent civilians must come before politics. Selective justice is not justice at all.

Enough Is Enough - 7.23.2026

Britain, it is time to acknowledge a historic mistake. The region has known since the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and especially the 1948 Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced, that lasting peace cannot be built by denying an entire people their homeland. During the 1947–48 conflict, Zionist paramilitary groups including Irgun, Lehi (Stern Gang) and the Haganah were involved in military operations and attacks that remain the subject of intense historical debate.

Today, many around the world believe that decades of occupation, displacement and bloodshed have made clear that the status quo is unsustainable. The continued flow of military support from the United States and European countries has drawn growing criticism from those who argue it has failed to advance a just and lasting peace.

The only viable path forward is to uphold international law and support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank, living alongside Israel in peace and security. Justice, equal rights and self-determination for both peoples remain essential if this tragic conflict is ever to end.