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Russia-Ukraine War

Nobel Laureate Matviichuk On Ukraine’s Ultimate Weapon Against Oblivion

At a cultural diplomacy forum in Kyiv, Nobel laureate and human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk urged the world to see culture as a force for justice and freedom — and as essential to building a lasting peace.

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This Happened

This Happened — August 28: Martin Luther King’s Iconic Speech

Updated July 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on this day in 1963. Who was Martin Luther King Jr.? Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister, activist, and leader in the civil rights movement. He led peaceful protests and advocated for nonviolent resistance […]

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Society

Why German Scholars Waited 80 Years To Truly Confront Hitler’s Speeches

Hitler wielded much of his power through his public discourses, yet a serious academic edition of his speeches has never been published. An unprecedented project led by Germany’s Institute of Contemporary History and the National Broadcasting Archive aims to better understand how he wielded power through rhetoric.

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Geopolitics Ideas Russia-Ukraine War

Nazis. Terrorists! Satanists!? Putin’s Rollout Of Big Lies Is Losing Its Punch

The Russian president has resorted to a string of changing lies to justify his war on Ukraine. He has shown contempt along the way for the Christian values he claims to defend. But like arms and ammunition, a regime can also run out of lies.

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Geopolitics

State Of The Union, State Of The World: Biden’s Hard Line On Putin

Less than a week after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a new cleavage in international affairs, U.S. President Joe Biden outlined a vision for confronting Moscow as necessary for the pursuit of America’s ambitions at home and abroad.

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Society

Clubhouse Caste: How Silicon Valley Insiders Look In India

“Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of existence.”–Babasaheb Ambedkar. -Essay- NEW DELHI — The latest entrant in the world of social media has been Clubhouse. While the audio-based platform boasts of providing a ‘room’ for free-wheeling discussions on anything and everything, it is imperative that it take note and address the casteism being […]

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Society

In Denmark, A Hard Language For Kids To Learn Shapes Society

The process machinery to master vowel-heavy Danish explains that way adults tend to interact.

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Geopolitics

And The Oscar Goes To … Vladimir Putin

In a recent government meeting, the Russian strongman once again showed off his trademark flare for political theater, promising, among other things, to leave his foreign foes toothless.

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In The News

Angela Merkel Shares the Unspoken Truth About COVID-19

It is a speech that stands out from all those we’ve heard from world leaders in the 10 months since the pandemic began — a far cry from the fact-defying rhetoric of Jair Bolsonaro or the cool logic of Emmanuel Macron. As Germany reported a record 590 deaths in one day from Covid-19, Chancellor Angela […]

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Future Geopolitics Society

Telegram: Why Russian Courts Can’t Really Block The App

MOSCOW — On April 13, a Russian court decreed an immediate blocking of the app Telegram across the country. The decision came after the refusal of Telegram to provide Russian security services with access to users’ private messages. The authorities said it was a necessity in the fight against terrorist threats. However, Pavel Durov, founder […]

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In The News

Speak Sisi: Tracking Egypt’s President Evolution Through His Words

Set for a second term, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has evolved in tone and substance over the past four years: from soft-spoken insider to all-powerful leader.

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In The News

When Your Boss Sounds Like Churchill — Or Worse, Elon Musk

If a CEO starts quoting Churchill or some Silicon Valley titan to give pomp to their office speeches, they’re only highlighting their utter lack of originality and leadership.

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In The News

The Identity Awakening: Catalonia, Europe And Beyond

It is the great challenge (and paradox) of our time: Far from erasing identity claims, globalization reinforces them. From Spain to Myanmar to Trump’s America, it must be confronted head-on.

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In The News

What Europe Needs Now? Some French Arrogance

French President Emmanuel Macron has just set himself up as the European Union’s would-be savior. Seen from a Swiss point of view, there’s no better option out there.

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In The News

Your Ego Online, Psychoanalysis In The Social Media Age

PARIS — What becomes of psychoanalysis in our hyper-connected digital world? The question is ripe, as new technologies capture the psyche and absorb the libido of each and every one of us. As relations among individuals are now broadcast to everyone, your relationship with yourself is fundamentally altered. This changes the status of speech and […]

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Ideas Trump And The World

Beyond Donald Trump, The Real Problem Is American Exceptionalism

-OpEd- When Donald Trump spoke at his inauguration on Jan. 20, there wasn’t even a hint of trying to be magnanimous. Instead, he called for the most narrow-minded form of nationalism. It’s tempting to see this as one of the many personal shortcomings of the new president of the United States. But that’s not the […]

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In The News

What Divides Turkey And The EU Goes Deeper Than Politics

-OpEd- ISTANBUL — Over the years, as Turkey’s European Union membership process stalled, I have seen plenty of blame on both sides. Ultimately, I never believed Turkey would become a full EU member, as the process was full of insincerity from both Ankara and Brussels. Now, it is over. In all these years, I never criticized the EU membership process out of some nationalistic impulse. But I do believe that the goals of democracy, rights and freedom cannot be achieved by way of foreign pressure. I also believe that the EU is not merely a union of political principles, and […]

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In The News

Why Turkey’s Assault On Press Freedom Is Different This Time

When I told the guy at my neighborhood grocery store in the Turkish city of Istanbul that I was traveling abroad, he said, “Don’t come back. Not if you can.” I told him I have a life here. “They will arrest us all, one day,” he responded. I’d never previously discussed politics with my grocer. […]

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Eyes on the U.S. Trump And The World

Joke’s On Us: Mexico Reacts To Trump Visit With Pena Nieto

A reviled U.S. presidential candidate visiting a very unpopular Mexican president. How did Donald Trump’s flash visit Wednesday to Mexico City look to the people and press south of the border? After the Republican nominee’s diatribes and insults against Mexicans and vows to build a “huge” wall, what was President Enrique Peña Nieto seeking by […]

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blog

Xi Jinping, A Stars-And-Stripes Front Page In China

Renmin Ribao, June 7, 2016 Tuesday’s front page of the Chinese state-run daily Renmin Ribao features President Xi Jinping in front of American and Chinese flags as he spoke at China-U.S. bilateral talks in Beijing. The 8th round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Development and the 7th round of China-U.S. Cultural Exchanges and High Level […]

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Terror in Europe

What Now For Charlie Hebdo?

PARIS — The odd collection of people visiting the building today includes cartoonists and anti-bomb experts. Also in attendance is the new director of Charlie Hebdo, Riss, whose right arm has been in a sling since one of the bullets fired by the Kouachi brothers shattered his shoulder blade before coming out behind his shoulder. […]

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Society

Cristina Kirchner’s 11 Worst Gaffes Ever

Argentine President and faux pas expert Cristina Kirchner graced us with yet another verbal woopsie Wednesday, when she tweeted, while on a state visit to China seeking investment: Más de 1.000 asistentes al evento… ¿Serán todos de “La Cámpola” y vinieron sólo por el aloz y el petlóleo? … — Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina) February 4, […]

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blog

Extra! ‘Liberal’ Obama Delivers State Of The Union

U.S. President Barack Obama used his sixth State of the Union address to tell America the “shadow of the crisis has passed.” The Washington Post highlighted that Obama “dropped his veneer of reserve” and took credit for the improving economic situation. As the president announced more government intervention in the economy, with plans for new […]

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Geopolitics

Shoes And 7 Other Objects Thrown At Politicians Around The World

As Hillary Clinton took to the stage for a speech Thursday night in Las Vegas, a woman threw a shoe at the former Secretary of State. It whizzed just past Clinton, who quippied afterward: “Thank goodness she didn’t play softball like I did.” A spokesperson for the recycling institute, to whom Clinton was speaking, said […]

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Geopolitics Mandela, Adieu

Mandela’s Death: World Tour Of What People Are Saying

Around the world, famous and regular folk alike are mourning Nelson Mandela, as South Africa prepares for a 10-day commemoration. Here’s a selection of reactions from heads of state to a certain former heavyweight champ to the people of his nation, to as the world says goodbye to the father of South African democracy and […]

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Geopolitics

*Heroic Flexibility* – Iranian Reaction To Rouhani U.N. Speech

PARIS – It was indeed a different face for Iran at this year’s United Nations General Assembly. Back in Iran, and elsewhere around the world, news outlets and regional analysts Wednesday were measuring the potential geopolitical significance of the first big strides onto the world stage made the evening before by newly elected Iranian President […]

Categories
Future

Sweden: More Than Ever, The Land Of Internet Freedom

STOCKHOLM – “This is happening right now in Homs, Syria…” Hans Eriksson shows a shaky video of column of smoke just after a bombing from Bashar al-Assad’s troops. Bambuser is the name of the service launched by this 44-year-old Swede, which allows any smartphone user to broadcast live what’s happening in front of him – […]

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Eyes on the U.S.

Obama Inauguration: Four More Years, Top 10 History Quiz To Swear By

REUTERS, TELEGRAPH (UK), CNN, SENATE.GOV (USA) Worldcrunch WASHINGTON, D.C. – Barack Obama will be sworn in Monday as the President of The United States for a second time. A swearing-in ceremony, parade and an inaugural ball will mark the event. A private ceremony took place on Sunday because the U.S. Constitution mandates that the president […]

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