Ukraine's NATO Path and the Bush-Putin Disclosed Transcript of April 6, 2008

US silence and failure to explain why they insisted on NATO membership for Ukraine is very revealing.

The recently FoIA released Bush-Putin verbatim transcripts provide interesting insights into US-Russia relations during the presidency of George W. Bush. Considering the on-going tragedy in Ukraine, the details of the meeting between Bush and Putin in Sochi, Russia on April 6, 2008 is of particular historical interest.

US and EU: A Falling Out Among Thieves?

Many pundits are talking about a split between the United States and Europe, a sort of falling out among thieves, as it were. It may look that way superficially, but is it so? Of course, geography and History will never align the two in terms of strategy and outlook, so the commonality of views are always to some extent imposed and superficial. Nevertheless, the combination of the Five Eyes Anglo-Saxon countries with continental Europe is referred to as the “Collective West” for a reason. In particular in Europe, the US has been involved as peace-maker and political stabilizer since 1945, though sometimes by subterfuge and far from peaceful means.

The Nuanced Natural Rights of the Non-Principled Libertarian

A strong argument against modern ethics of natural rights is the skepticism these often elicit, even among libertarians. If one of these doctrines actually were unassailable, then it presumably would receive overwhelming support in the libertarian community, if not more widely.

A critical review of the normative arguments and the empirical evidence for natural rights seems relevant, therefore, and could lead to a more nuanced and less principled approach. The common modern definition of “natural rights” is used in this context, namely the universal right to self-ownership, homesteading, and private property.

Looking Back on 2025, Buckle Up for 2026!

As a year of tragic events and fraught international relations comes to a close, it’s time to look back on 2025 and prepare for 2026. Our world is in the midst of radical upheaval, the significance of which we generally can only fully grasp in retrospect. Antonio Gramsci’s often quoted sentence seems more apt than ever: “The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters.”

Indeed, let us expose again these monsters, one by one. First, it must be admitted that these monstrous entities are mostly Western, with an enormous propensity for lying.

Europe's Delusion With the United States Continues

The reaction to the NSS doc shows that many Europeans still need to wake up from the post-war dream of the USA as their political and economic friend. It was always a delusion.

When the latest US National Security Strategy document came out, many analysts in Europe saw this as a confirmation that the US under the Trump administration is concerned about Europe, wants to support Europe, and selfishly wants Europe to succeed. Regardless of whether this NSS will represent US foreign policy and whether this NSS will actually be implemented, both of which are far for certain, this view of Washington from Europe must be cynically and clearly debunked.

Putin's Old and Recent Mistakes in Dealing with the West

 

God knows Trump is flawed. When Putin was asked in 2024 whether he preferred Biden or Trump, he answered Biden for his predictability. Putin doesn’t understand unpredictable narcissists like Trump; who does? This partly explains some of Putin’s missteps in recent months with respect to Trump and the high-stakes diplomatic game going on between the two superpowers.

But the mistakes go back further in time and are not only related to Trump, but concern Putin’s relationship with the West generally. This is surprising since the Russian president comes across as a balanced, objective and historically-minded thinker; arguably the only real statesman worthy of the name in current times.

The Political Messages in The Mark of Zorro

The Mark of Zorro (1940), directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Tyrone Power, Basil Rathbone, and Linda Darnell, stands as one of Hollywood’s most enduring classics. The film truly shines, with its charismatic cast, sharp dialogue, beautiful cinematography, blending romance and witty one-liners with cinema’s best sword fight.

Set in colonial Spanish Los Angeles around 1820, the movie takes viewers back to a conservative and traditional society, very different from L.A. today. Yet, like the original novel from 1919, it explores timeless themes: identity and deception, the inspiring force of heroism, the tension between individual will and societal expectations, and to top it off; justice and political struggle. One reviewer put it well: “The Mark of Zorro emphasizes the significance of fighting against injustice and standing up for what is right, even if it means taking risks and going against societal norms.”

Argentina’s Rocky Road to Economic Freedom

The ascent to power in Argentina of an avowed libertarian, in the person of Javier Milei, was seen not only with excitement by many libertarians but also as a moment of truth. Not only did it show that it was possible to get a majority of the electorate of a large country to vote for a radical agenda of freedom, but it also suggested that libertarians might finally be able to show the entire world that the unhampered free market is not only possible, but also highly beneficial for society.

Western Political Lies Signal The End of an Era

The previous article highlighted the incredible amount of lies and falsehoods that Western politicians are spewing on a daily basis nowadays. Unfortunately, it seems to be a sign of the times, in the sense that the prevailing post-modernism makes lying more acceptable generally. And politicians do not have to worry much about any fourth estate determined to roast them over the fire for their dubious and untruthful statements. But there is a political side to this recent surge in mendacity in the high political spheres of the West, which needs to be explored as well.

The “Empire of Lies” is Confirmed Again and Again

The Western ruling elite has many public liars. The falsehoods included in official statements by the leading politicians in the West has reached such extremes now that even the slumbering uninformed majority in the West ought to realize it. This brazenness with which false narratives are created and imposed on the publics in the West is simply astounding. It needs to be exposed and investigated.

Seeing Through All the Lies

The case of Russia is telling. The Russians have for years been on the receiving end of the constant deceitfulness and mendacity of Western politicians. 

Human Nature, State Power, and the Genocide in Gaza

We need to understand human nature to see how crimes against humanity on a large scale can be perpetrated by the increase in the power of the state.

Israel’s abominable actions in Palestine, and the Western political elite’s appalling lack of action and even tacit support of the Zionists, inevitably must lead to reflections on human nature and the power of the state.

The First Cause of Modern War is the Modern State

Human conflict is an intrinsic part of human nature; it is as natural as tears. As Leo Strauss wrote, in modern society “the original conflict between moral demands and desires remains intact”. Individuals and their various enterprises often have conflictual relations between each other. These can take many forms and are often non-violent.