The former secretary of state, whose “mentorship” Hillary Clinton boasted during the last Democratic debate, isn’t just a poor choice of foreign policy adviser. He’s a bona fide war criminal.
I called Henry Kissinger a war criminal to his face. Here’s why.
Washington’s major limitation towards Russia is not a lack of military leadership, but a lack of moral leadership.
When foreign minister of Australia, celebrated peace advocate Gareth Evans countenanced Indonesian slaughter in East Timor.
Oil has different meanings for different societies. For developed societies like the United States, Japan, and Western Europe, oil is like an addictive drug that people only want more and more of. It enables them to go everywhere. It helps them cook and regulate the temperature of their dwellings. Without oil, people in these societies couldn’t sustain their way of life. For these reasons, many countries go to war for the sake of securing access to oil.
However, oil has different significance for developing countries whose economies heavily depend on exporting oil and gas.
When Indonesia withdrew from Timor-Leste (TL) in 1999, governments all over the world expressed their sympathy for the Timorese. Donor governments promised to assist TL to build a viable state, with lasting peace and stability. Early on, the United States also committed to help TL move toward a democratic society. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently reiterated this commitment in her meeting with TL’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
After 11 years, the rhetoric is still the same. But the reality on the ground has not changed much.
In recent months, East Timor has witnessed a tragic renewal of violence. In May, after the government dismissed about one-third of the country’s soldiers, fighting broke out among the security forces. Gangs of unemployed youth, possibly manipulated by some political leaders, set much of East Timor’s capital of Dili ablaze. Amid warnings of a full-scale conflagration, a temporary Australian-led international peacekeeping force entered the territory to quell the violence. At least 37 people have died since conflict reignited. About 150,000 displaced persons are taking refuge in camps for fear of fresh fighting.
Key Points