‘President’ Robert Scheer berates me as we role-play a President’s Daily Briefing. Viewers will find the video instructive re the pressures on intelligence analysts – especially in an election year – to avoid being seduced into becoming ‘part of the team’.
Frustrated with Israel’s hold on US presidents? So was former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft, watching PM Ariel Sharon press GWBush to attack Iraq. Scowcroft told Financial Times Sharon had Bush “mesmerized” & “wrapped around his little finger.”
Blinken’s Blinkers: How explain juvenile diplomacy? The Greek tragic flaw of hubris. China, Russia, N Korea, Iran – even Niger – would be amused were it not so dangerous. I riff on pamphlet by Lenin 100 yrs ago exposing the excesses of ideology on steroids
Guinea Bissau bows to Israel, Withdraws Flags from Freedom Flotilla: “This is not the end. Israel cannot and will not crush our resolve to break its illegal siege and reach the people of Gaza. It is our responsibility to keep that hope alive. WE WILL SAIL.
Press Conference: Under Israeli Pressure, Guinea Bissau Moves to Withdraw Flotilla Flags
“Three Stooges” Blinken, Biden, Sullivan continue to make mess in Ukraine, China, and Israel. Antony ‘Innocent Abroad’ Blinken again tries gunboat-type ‘diplomacy’ in China, unable to wrap his mind around tectonic shift represented by China-Russia entente.
Israeli has delayed Flotilla departing Turkey with medical supplies and food to fend off starvation in Gaza. It is pressing Guinea Bissau to withdraw its flag from the lead ship, triggering a request for additional inspection, this one by the flag state.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6MpUqyOLcr/?igsh=YXRqbXQ1N2FxeDVs
The Freedom Flotilla ready to push off for Gaza, “the people of Gaza the wind in our sails; freedom for Palestine our North Star; food, medicine, solidarity, and love our gifts.” ‘Fair winds and following seas!’ to break the siege. Medea, on deck, reports.
Iran so far winner of the tit-for-tat with Israel which now between rock and a very hard place. Are Israeli leaders finally taking admonitions of Biden/Blinken/Sullivan seriously? Yes, so far. DEEP STAKES, though, for Israeli leaders; so expect unexpected.