This Week on GR
by C.L. Cook - GRadio.Substack.com
September 4, 2024
Welcome to Gorilla Radio, recorded Aug. 28/Sept. 4th, 2024
The United States Monday seized Venezuela's "Air Force One", the country's presidential jet, as it awaited maintenance in the Dominican Republic. The Americans insist their appropriation legitimate because the jet's purchase violated sanctions placed on Venezuela and its president, Nicholas Maduro. It's not the first time the U.S. has intercepted vessels and cargo, (and people) under this precept. Naturally, the Venezuelan government is outraged, charges the move was theft, and says America is nothing less than a pirate state.
Welcome to the waning days of Empire.
James "Joe" Bissett is a former Canadian Ambassador whose tenure in Yugoslavia coincided with that country’s 1991 dissolution. At century’s end, he was one of the few government insiders to oppose NATO’s 78 day bombardment of Serbia in the name of “humanitarian intervention.”
Joe Bissett in the first half.
And; August is not the time to be in Paris; the weather tends to mugginess, and Parisiennes' harden their attitude towards the seasonal throng of tourists run now too long. This year is the same as all years, only moreso. The Olympics disruption has worn, and all are eager for the coolness of the Fall and return to normalcy; but even as the last of the Summer visitors depart, things will still not be normal in Paris, nor in France. The country is in political turmoil, and though not visible to the parades of foreigners, just below the surface a dirty political fight, as oily as the bottom of the Seine, roils.
Diana Johnstone is an author and journalist. Her book titles include ‘ From MAD to Madness: Inside Pentagon Nuclear War Planning,’ ‘Circle in the Darkness: Memoirs of a World Watcher,’ and ‘Fools’ Crusade: Yugoslavia, NATO and Western Delusion.’ Diana’s articles can be found at ConsortiumNews.com, where her recent piece, 'D-Day 2024’ appears.
Diana Johnstone and if not burning, Paris IS smouldering in the second half.
But first, Joe Bissett and whither the diplomat's art in World affairs today?
Chris Cook hosts Gorilla Radio, on the internet at: GRadio.Substack.com. Check out the GR blog at: https://gorillaradioblog.blogspot.ca/
