StocktonAfterClass

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Clarification:  Under international law the Golan Province is Syrian territory.  It was conquered in 1967.  The Israelis consider it a part of Israel itself.  They claimed it, and then Donald Trump recognized it.  They even created a settlement called Trump Heights to show their appreciation.  The population of that province (apart from Jewish settlers) are Druze.  Majdal Shams, where a rocket from Lebanon hit a playing field and killed 14 Druze children,  is in the Golan Province 

 There are Druze in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel.  Hezbollah is trying to improve their relations with the Lebanese Druze.  They insist that they did not fire that rocket.  It does not make sense that they would although it appeared to come from a Hezbollah location.  Some observers think it was a rocket that went off course. 

Glitch?  Did I say "the fraternity brothers of the University of North Carolina?"  That was what I meant to say (quoting Netanyahu).

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This was written three days after Trump was lightly wounded in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.    It is based on patterns of violence rather than hard knowledge.  I hope it helps. 

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John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago is one of the very top strategic analysts in this country.  He is of the Realist School.  He thinks we should look at the reality of power, and that each country should look after its own interests.  

Earlier in this month, he delivered a talk in Australia on the Gaza War.  He came up with data I had never heard and insights I had never considered.  This is a faithful summary of his key points.  It will change the way you think about this conflict. 

And the talk itself is easily accessible on the internet.  Just search for his name, then find the Australian talk.   you will be glad you did. 

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This is the second of two podcasts on my visit to Palestine in early June, 2024.  If you have not listened to the first podcast, please do so before listening to this  one. 

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In early June, 2024, I visited Palestine.   It was a visit that changed my way of thinking.  As someone who had taught a course on the Israeli-Palestine Conflict for 40 years this surprised me.  This is Part I of a two-part podcast.  The second part is not this long and has a different focus. 

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On May 20, the War Crimes Prosecutor Karim Khan asked the International Criminal Court for warrants to arrest the leaders of Hamas and Israel, and three others. 

This was a stunning development. 

This podcast is a discussion of what is included in that document. 

Later in the week, South Africa asked the High Court of Justice for additional Provisional Rulings ordering Israel to stop its attack on Rafah, to allow supplies to get through, and to allow teams in to investigate the issue of genocide. 

It was a busy week. 

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Two years ago we learned that the Supreme Court would reverse Roe v Wade. 

I worked through the leaked draft and tried to extract the logic of the decision.  

It was painful to see such tortured analysis. 

Some of those Trump justices had actually said that Roe was "settled law" during their hearings.  That is a phrase that means, everyone agrees and it is not subject to reversal. 

Now, in May of 2024, Trump is running on the fact that his justices were the ones that tipped the balance on the Court.  And Biden is running as champion of women's rights, promising to pass a national law once again making this a decision of a woman and her doctor. 

In case you missed this podcast the first time around (or want to refresh your memory) here it is once again. 

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Back in February of 1990 Nelson Mandela was freed from 27 years in prison.  When he walked out of prison that Sunday morning, the whole world was watching.  At least everyone in our house was watching.  Mandela quickly became the world's greatest statesman.  This is my assessment of his life and contribution.  And of the two times Jane and I crossed paths with him.  

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I prepared this podcast last year (2023) but did not get around to posting it until now (2024).  It focuses upon the time a few years ago when  I was asked to speak to the graduating class.  The students were there and their parents.  Plus the Chancellor and Deans and other luminaries.    It was a really nice event.  

I did make one mistake.  When I came to the campus in 1973 the state of Michigan funded over 80% of our budget.  Today it is well under the 25% I mentioned, maybe closer to 15%.   An event such as this was not a time to ask for money, but I thought I would plant the seed.