Throughout ideological contradictions and changing perception of events on the ground, the Oath Keepers’ messaging remained consistent around one key element: the existence of a deep-state plot against US President Trump. By mid-April 2020, protests against government-imposed lockdowns began springing up across the United States. At their center was a pronounced distrust of the government… Continue reading “ANTI-GOVERNMENT IDEOLOGY IN THE TIMES OF COVID-19”
In late March 2020, rumours started circulating that the United States was looking for candidate groups to proscribe as part of their efforts against the radical right. In early April, the US finally designated the Russian Imperial Movement, a white supremacy group based in Russia, and its leadership as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT). But… Continue reading “How proscription can help in the fight against the radical right”
“Five, 10 years from now—different party. You’re going to have a worker’s party.” These words, uttered by Donald Trump in the May of 2016, might at first appear prophetic given the current bout of protests that have taken off throughout the US. In these protests, the star-spangled banner is strewn across various cityscapes as largely… Continue reading “Contesting Class in the Lockdown Protests”
Researchers are asking if this era of self-isolation will increase radicalization, but they need to look at the existing extremism COVID-19 is exacerbating. There have been articles published that assert that there will be an uptick in far-right radicalization due to shelter-in-place orders currently occurring in many countries across the world—not to mention most of… Continue reading “Quarantined Radicals: Right-Wing Extremism In The Age Of COVID-19”
An analysis of the effective methods to combat anti-Semitism as well as ineffective methods. In recent years, there has been a surge in anti-Semitic violence in the United States. The most attention was focused on the murders at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, on October 27, 2018, in which 11 worshippers were killed, the shooting… Continue reading “How To And How Not to Fight Anti-Semitic Violence In The US”
The evidence that Jussie Smollett staged his attack is overwhelming, but it doesn’t detract from the fact very few hate crimes are hoaxes. It highlights it. Earlier this month, actor Jussie Smollett, whose claims a year before that he had been attacked by homophobic, racist Trump supporters caused a brief media firestorm, was indicted on… Continue reading “Why Prosecuting Jussie Smollett Is Important”
From their suppression of dissenting voices, use of propaganda, and capitulation to Russia, the GOP is behaving like US Communists in the 1930s and 1940s. In a recent issue of The New Yorker, the Harvard University historian, Jill Lepore, challenges the mood of pessimism that has overcome many thoughtful individuals about the direction of… Continue reading “GOP Is Similar To US Communist Party In The Early 20th Century”
“We all know Iran, don’t we? Or at least we think we do”. So said John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor, on air in the early 1990s. A veteran Iran reporter, Simpson had accompanied Ayatollah Khomeini on his return flight to Iran in 1979 from exile in France. The point he was making was… Continue reading “Radical-Right Demonization of Soleimani and Iran: Islamophobic Weaponry in the Public Sphere”
For Donald Trump, evangelicals represent a crucial electorate — one which he cannot afford to affront. Now in the final year of his first — or only? — presidential term, Donald Trump is in trouble. Haunted time and again by new revelations of shady, if not criminal, behavior, and ridiculed by his political peers, even… Continue reading “Evangelical Blues, or How Supporting Trump Discredits Christianity”
When it comes to Trump, Republicans choose to either leave the party or twist themselves into sycophancy. We rarely see them speak out and stand firm. The impeachment of President Donald Trump and his impending trial in the US Senate has created a crisis atmosphere in the GOP. Fortunately for those of us observing these… Continue reading “Republican Impeachment Crisis: Exit, Voice, Or Loyalty”