Liberian mercenaries returning from western Ivory Coast tell of fighting for both sides in Ivory Coast’s civil war, killing civilians, raping women, and destroying villages as they went. (This excerpt is sourced from an article by Emily Schmall and Mae Azango) One commander of a unit of more than 30 Liberian mercenaries who returned days … Continue reading
Category Archives: Politics
Overthrow Gadhafi in 90 Days: Just Add Mercs, Cash
Another timely guest post on Libya… This one is courtesy of Spencer Ackerman and is a variation on an assisted regime change plan I outlined in 2009: The world’s worried about mercenaries in Libya helping Moammar Gadhafi snuff out the Libyan revolution. But what if — what if — the rebels tapped the expanding world … Continue reading
We Had Our Chance To Topple Colonel Gaddafi 38 Years Ago
We’re featuring a timely guest post on The Velvet Rocket today by Frederick Forsyth… *** Back in 1973 I was researching a new novel, which became The Dogs Of War. I was in Hamburg investigating the covert world of the international black market arms dealers, which was then headquartered there. I became aware there were … Continue reading
1970 Italy: The Borghese Coup
In December 1970 there was an attempt to impose on Italy the ‘authoritarian solution’. It was a strange coup d’état, so subtle and secretive that when it failed many denied, as they still do, that it had even taken place. Prince Junio Valerio Borghese, the architect of the coup, is one of the most controversial … Continue reading
The Kirkburn Sword
“Probably the finest Iron Age sword in Europe” according to the British Museum. Iron Age, 300-200 BC From a burial at Kirkburn, East Yorkshire, England At this time in the Iron Age (300-200 BC) few people were buried in graves when they died. However, East Yorkshire was an exception and this sword was found in … Continue reading
Is Mexico A Failed State?
Over the past several months, I have heard the question as to whether or not Mexico is a failed state raised a number of times. As part of the “Mexico Series” I have been posting over the last year or so, it is time for me as an International Relations academic to address that question… … Continue reading
Paintings of The Day: The Course of Empire by Thomas Cole
Before proceeding, permit me to suggest clicking on the pictures below, so that in their enlarged state, they may be more thoroughly appreciated… 1) The Savage State The first painting, The Savage State, shows a valley from the shore opposite a distinctive crag, in the dim light of a dawning stormy day. A hunter clothed … Continue reading
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