Mladic and ICC Hypocrisy

Mladic is undoubtedly a criminal. Personally I think all combat commanders are, but even by the twisted standards of 'legal' or 'just' war, the Serbian general was guilty of wanton slaughter.

Indonesia: A Forgotten Genocide by Proxy

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41651047

This is another ghost from the past, another story that has for the most part been flushed down the memory hole. The BBC retains some value in that it will at least provide some coverage to stories like this but for real investigative journalism one must turn elsewhere. As is so often the case, their coverage allows them to retain journalistic credibility... but then functions as a 'move-along, nothing to see here' piece.

Neo-McCarthyism, the First Amendment and the Compromise of the Humanitarian/NGO Complex

https://consortiumnews.com/2017/10/26/russia-gate-breeds-establishment-mccarthyism/

I offer this link as an excellent summary of what has aptly been described as Neo-McCarthyism. The current climate is a strange one and while the Establishment media has always played fast and loose with the truth there are seasons in which the lies seem to be pervasive, dominant, oppressive and overbearing.

The Challenge to Christianity in China

I'm not a fan of World Magazine. It's been a Dominionist publication from the beginning. That said, like all news media it is not without some value, sometimes for reasons the editors and publishers don't intend.

Assange's Game and The Atlantic's Fraud

Of course the previously linked Washington Post story regarding the Brazile revelations keeps changing, as indeed they will continue to 'update' the story. Such updates can themselves be a subject of study.

I wrote the Brazile post on 6 Nov and it's been sitting in my folder for almost two weeks. Already the story has faded and the current buzz is over Donald Trump Jr. and his contacts with Wikileaks.

Brazile's Challenge to the Clinton Narrative

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/brazile-i-considered-replacing-clinton-with-biden-as-2016-democratic-nominee/2017/11/04/f0b75418-bf4c-11e7-97d9-bdab5a0ab381_story.html?hpid=hp_no-name_no-name%3Apage%2Fbreaking-news-bar&tid=a_breakingnews&utm_term=.8721ceb243b7

Bernie Sanders is either corrupt, stupid or some kind of megalomaniac. Of course these categories are not mutually exclusive and he may be all of these things. The 2016 election was a farce on so many fronts and while the Trump people are dirty and corrupt and clearly sought (and seek) to profit on every relationship and diplomatic exchange, the Clintons and the people heading the DNC have demonstrated they are cut from the same cloth.

Reflections on a Russian Conference Report

https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2017/russian-conference-st-petersburg/

In some ways this was a rather disappointing read.

I can only say that I've experienced a great deal of disappointment in the writings and opinions of Roberts. I think he has a poor grasp of the issues he addresses as well as the tradition he purports to represent. And while he and others seek to protect the Russian Reformed community from errors they are in fact doing damage themselves. They misrepresent Historical Theology, the nature of doctrine and the teaching of Scripture.

Suspicions Everywhere: Radiation Clouds and Fire at the SVR

While at this point there's no evidence of arson, the fire at the headquarters of one of Russia's top intelligence agencies (the SVR) is suspicious. Yes, there was remodeling work being done which may explain its origin but it must also be admitted that construction and renovation provide one of the easiest and most convenient scenarios for sabotage. This is especially true when subcontractors are used.

Niebuhrian Transformation: Anabaptists in the Wake of WWII

http://www.christianpost.com/news/nm-mennonite-church-becomes-first-in-denomination-to-appoint-openly-lesbian-head-pastor-200073/

What can we say about modern Mennonites? They have lost their way. Despite what differences I might have with them I could say that Anabaptist theology used to focus on Bible.

The India-Israel Alliance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnGXkYsTcIA

This episode of Inside Story is noteworthy in that the relationship between Israel and India is beginning to become more overt. A longstanding reality it is based on mutual interests.

Remembering The Sand Pebbles

This article caught my eye because it referenced The Sand Pebbles and I immediately thought of the old Steve McQueen movie. I remember watching it many years ago and being baffled... why were American troops in China during the 1920's? It got me to digging.

A Kosovar Ploy

http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/2977/Kosovo_President_Hashim_Thaci_supports_weeklong_Reformation_events_

This story is actually somewhat amusing. Thaci, long a US asset is now president of a nation created by and wholly dependent on Washington's support. Thaci fears a fall from power because he has a lot of enemies and potentially faces charges for the war crimes he was involved in.

NATO on the Korean Peninsula

http://www.dw.com/en/nato-chief-calls-on-un-to-uphold-north-korea-sanctions/a-41193631

http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/policies/view?articleId=150871

This story is something of a stunner and it has received almost no coverage in the West, certainly not in the American mainstream news.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has been touring Japan and South Korea and even visited the contentious DMZ. What is the head of NATO doing in Northeast Asia on the Pacific Rim? The timing is also noteworthy as he's passing through just days before Donald Trump's visit to the region.

Berlusconi and Leaden Ghosts

http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2017/10/31/berlusconi-probed-over-1993-mafia-bombings-2_63e3be34-0241-4732-946f-f91286cfed3b.html

Obviously this story is still up in the air and there are a lot of unanswered questions. The Wikipedia article on the Via dei Georgofili bombing is quite unsatisfactory and presents the issue as concluded, when it's clear that not even the authorities actually believe that to be the case.

The Intercept, the Israeli Lobby and Selective Ethics

https://theintercept.com/2017/10/13/kansas-israel-boycott-bds-mennonite-church/

The story is merited in that it attests to the tremendous power wielded by the Israel lobby which continues to shape and affect legislation. The growing movement challenging Israel has been a cause for concern for the leaders of the Zionist state.