#foreign relations

[progressivemillennial]

“If I have one message to give to the secular American people, it’s that the world is not divided into countries. The world is not divided between East and West. You are American, I am Iranian, we don’t know each other, but we talk together and we understand each other perfectly. The difference between you and your government is much bigger than the difference between you and me. And the difference between me and my government is much bigger than the difference between me and you. And our governments are very much the same.”

― Marjane Satrapi, Iranian graphic novelist

[shirzan140102]

If you said nothing about the tens of thousands of people the Islamic Republic massacred last month but suddenly care about Iranian lives now that this occupying regime is under attack, your so-called concern is actually performative. It was never about humanity and dignity for you; it's about ideology, and in this case, your ideology has driven you to the side of dictators and terrorists.

[sanminzhuyi]

"Cuba's sovereignty shall never be violated!" (古巴主权决不允許侵犯!)

Poster by Wang Jiao (王角), 1962.

[ultrakeencollectionbreadfan]

To my Canadian followers:

I am deeply ashamed and embarrassed by President Donald J. Trump's recent behavior towards your country. I know it probably doesn't mean that much coming from just one person, but I hope my apology counts for something. I just want to let it be known that Trump doesn't speak for all of us.

To my American followers:

As mentioned above, my previous statement was to show Canadians that Trump doesn't speak for all of us and, in many cases, only speaks for himself. There are many individual Americans and American localities who really appreciate our relationship and would be willing to salvage it. I'm not going to let Trump fray the U.S.-Canada bond, and neither should you.

[ellewantsrevenge]

Italian PM Tajani likened ICE agents in Minneapolis to Nazis

[deadpresidents]

(I)f we are to keep cool and not stimulate war there must be an end to provocative speech by our officials. Expressions of indignation or regret do not require insults. The first responsibility of the President of the United States is to abate war, not to stimulate it. It is not the province of the President of the United States to create hate. Irresponsible talk in explosive times may bring danger. And we need remember that the day will come when we might be of service to humanity in dealing with these same men for peace.

Former President Herbert Hoover, Address at the 1940 Republican National Convention, June 25, 1940, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[sgiandubh]

As somebody working in the diplomatic profession, what's your take on the White House kerfuffle yesterday between Trump and Selensky?

Dear What's Your Take Anon,

I have never seen anything of the sort, during my twenty-two year career (and counting) and I honestly hope to never see something remotely resembling it, as long as I shall breathe on Earth. Same goes for the tons of verbatim transcripts I have always read and analyzed with pleasure, and still do.

There is a reason why negotiations take place behind closed doors. When people are out and talking to the press, stiff upper lips and more or less relaxed smiles are de rigueur. To some, this is hypocrisy. To me, this means at least a modicum of agreement has been reached, for continuing to see each other and talk to each other is still some sort of agreement. There is reassuring elegance in this traditional choreography that is/should be second nature to any professional.

Yesterday, I have watched live on CNN something very closely resembling a Tumblr flame war comment thread. You draw your own conclusions, Anon.

This is Her Excellency, Mrs. Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Washington DC. And this is her reaction to what happened in that room, as I am sure you know, by now:

I saw myself in that picture, Anon.

[lettersfrom412]

Israel and Hamas

Are we unable to have an honest conversation about the Israel-Hamas war? Yes, Hamas struck first. They must be disabled and degraded. The Palestinians, including Hamas, are not good faith negotiators, but the Israelis have not always kept their commitments as well.

American support for Israel revolves around an absurdity. The Netanyahu government will not relent in its assault on Gaza – or allow food and medical aid – until Hamas is destroyed. This is not genocide, they say, because they are only going after Hamas. Who is Hamas? Anyone in Gaza. And no one can leave.

Increasingly if one does not support the Netanyahu government 100 percent you are considered antisemitic. Discussion over.

But Israel's conduct is unconscionable. This isn't a disproportionate response; it's avowed genocide. America must come to terms with its complicity and urge restraint – or at a minimum relief for a million women and children there.