Inauguration Day
America came very close to losing it’s democracy. Donald Trump did more to undermine the traditions of a peaceful transition of power than any other. He damaged peoples faith in their vote, and that won’t go away when he walks out the door of the White House at about 8am. But many of us including people in Europe and around the World will feel a sense of relief. That for the moment danger has passed. For the moment.
Rep Senate Leader Mitch McConnell now says about the attack on The Capitol, “the mod was fed lies..provoked by The President”. The impeachment trial of Trump looms. More and more details emerging about how organized this, was including the intention to kidnap lawmakers by white supremacist groups.
Headline: The crazy experiment is over wrote - Thomas Friedman wrote in The New York Times today; “Folks, we just survived something really crazy awful”.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/19/opinion/trump-presidency.html
On my latest podcast Back Story with Dana Lewis I talk to three amazing people about the psychology of America. It’s about confronting American radicalization, and disinformation.
-Arie kruglanski is currently a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland and is the co author of the three pillars of radicalization. Needs, narratives, networks.
-Ira E. Hyman, Jr.,Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at Western Washington University.
-And, the philosophy of public discourse, with Dr. Todd Mei, Professor of Philosophy.
Have a listen. It’s one of the most important conversations I have had on Back Story.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1016881/7372033
Overnight Trump handed out expected pardons including to Steve Bannon.
Joe Biden doesn’t excite anyone. But, that’s ok. He will bring more predictable American leadership. He will push back on Russia, and Belarus. He will standup for human rights from China to Syria. He will extend the nuclear weapons START treaty. He will resign the Paris accords to help head off the climate emergency. Biden will keep NATO strong. Anthony Blinken, Sec of State nominee said there is chaos without American leadership. Because the world needs leadership. European leadership is saying today, again it has a friend in The White House. Biden is steeped in foreign policy experience. He has met with most World leaders.
Biden faces challenges too. From Turkey where Erdogen has been a troubling NATO member. Russia will have to be challenged on cyber warfare. I can’t think of a better piece I have read on America and Russia than former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Mike Mcfaul’s piece in Foreign Affairs.
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/ukraine/2021-01-19/how-contain-putins-russia?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tw_daily_soc&utm_source=twitter_posts
And on Back Story we spoke to Mike Mcfaul about foreign policy challenges.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1016881/6340693
Some of the headlines in Europe are “Good Riddance” and The Independent today shows the back of Trump and two words “It’s Over”. But is it?
Covid
American has surpassed 400 thousand deaths from Covid19. More than 2 million have died worldwide. Where I am in London, the UK has 90 thousand deaths and the worst death toll per capita of any country. Why? Late lockdowns. The elderly were sent out of hospitals and back to nursing homes to clear beds, and the virus spread like wildfire amongst the most vulnerable. The UK was late to organize PPE and The Government would do test and trace or close airports until it was much too late. The area Britain is leading, is in the rollout of vaccines.
Russia
Alexei Navalny has been remanded in jail for 30 days. The opposition leader who was poisoned with Novichok by Russian intel continues to be defiant. Russia denies all of course. Navalny says will beat the charges but many of us who know Russia wonder if he could be jailed for years by Putin. And, Navalny has just released an investigation into Putin’s opulent billion dollar castle built by The Black Sea. Navalny notes it’s 39 times the size of Monaco. It’s an area of 17000 acres with it’s own church. Navalny claimed to have uncovered an elaborate corruption scheme involving Putin’s inner circle. Navalny has exposed corruption in The Kremlin but this strikes at Putin directly.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/01/19/navalny-targets-billion-dollar-putin-palace-in-investigation-released-after-jailing-a72661
Watching the inauguration today. And Trumps departure. Have a good day everyone.