Analyses, comments and opinion pieces in various Chinese media

In December 2021, I was invited to become a regular contributor of opinion pieces to China Daily. It has more than 52 million clicks online daily and about 40 million followers on social media – according to the latest (2016) data. It serves more than 330 million readers all over the world and is a default choice for people who read about China in English. … Continue reading Analyses, comments and opinion pieces in various Chinese media

Ytringsfriheden svækkes når meninger bliver til dogmer

Markus Winkler on Unsplash Flemming Rose, gæsteskribent Denne glimrende artikel indgik i Flemming Rose’s klumme på Frihedsbrevet den 17. februar 2024. Der er allerede blevet sagt og skrevet meget om Tucker Carlsons interview med Vladimir Putin. Alt for meget, vil mange nok mene. Men lad mig tilføje en enkelt observation, som rækker videre end holdningen til, hvad den ene eller anden sagde eller ikke sagde … Continue reading Ytringsfriheden svækkes når meninger bliver til dogmer

The burning of holy books: Freedom of speech or phobia?

A couple of weeks back, I was invited to the London-based “Kalimahorra” (“Free Words”) program at the independent Arab satellite news channel, Al-Mayadeen, which operates out of Beirut, Lebanon. George Galloway leads a discussion about Danish-Swedish Islamophobic activist and lawyer Rasmus Paludan, burning a Quaran in Stockholm – touching upon freedom of speech, sacredness, human rights, racism, security politics, and more. I was one of … Continue reading The burning of holy books: Freedom of speech or phobia?

On entering 2023

In case you expect a kind of celebrative champagne toast-like text here, my apology at the outset. For me, this is a very different new year. Perhaps the most tragic new year in my life. Globally speaking, 2022 was nothing to celebrate. My prediction for 2023 is that it will, at best, not be worse. It’s been another year wasted for solving humanity’s most urgent … Continue reading On entering 2023

BREAKING NEWS: Jan Oberg and others are “information terrorists” and suspected “military criminals” – says Ukraine

Ukraine smears about 70 people around the world as part of the disinformation war My original article of July 30, 2022 The Center for Combating Disinformation seems to be tasked with telling the world who carries the truth and who are “Spokespeople who are pushing a rhetoric that is in tune with the Russian propaganda.” (This link no longer works, the document was taken down … Continue reading BREAKING NEWS: Jan Oberg and others are “information terrorists” and suspected “military criminals” – says Ukraine

Vestens demokrati i dyb krise – men skyd hellere skylden på de andre

Uanset hvordan man definerer vestlig demokrati så er det i dyb krise. Vi har levet altfor længe med det selvtilfredse argument, at det er den mindst ringe beslutningsmetode – lullet os i søvn med at vestlig demokrati er det eneste mulige og noget, andre også burde have. Det er helt tydelig at demokratiet for eksempel ikke fungerer når der skal træffes hurtige beslutninger – som … Continue reading Vestens demokrati i dyb krise – men skyd hellere skylden på de andre

The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize is a scandal – again!

Collage © Jan Oberg 2021 How it fits CIA and the US ‘democracy”s global media war December 9, 2021 The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony took place in Oslo on Friday the 10th of December 2021. Here are two critical articles about that today: It is simply not for peace. Fredrik Heffermehl: The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize: Freedom for the Press or for the US? Jan … Continue reading The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize is a scandal – again!

Facebook censorship spells the end of free speech, of democracy, if allowed to continue: JFK Jr’s Insta account

N E WListen to this as a podcast on one or more channels Some time ago I referred my readers to my rather extensive analysis on the TFF – the Transnational Foundation’s homepage – about social media and why I am reducing my use of Facebook, Twitter and Google to an absolute minimum. That was January 25. Since then, two things have happened that make … Continue reading Facebook censorship spells the end of free speech, of democracy, if allowed to continue: JFK Jr’s Insta account

Time to stop visiting the United States

June 1, 2019 I’ve never been “anti-American.” I work with (North) Americans every day at the Transnational Foundation and much of my academic training in both sociology and peace and conflict research has been heavily influenced by American scholarship. I am a great admirer of American culture and arts – from the Abstract Impressionists to Pop Art- and of American movies, music – Bob Dylan … Continue reading Time to stop visiting the United States

Thanks for the friends’ and followers’ boom

During the last two weeks I have received almost 800 friend requests on Facebook and about 1000 new followers. It’s overwhelming and warms my heart beyond words.

Many many thanks for your trust and support – and for not only thinking it but taking time to tell it.

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I can only assume that it is all because of my visit to Damascus and Aleppo. Literally thousands have thanked me for my short texts and photos from there – and for taking the risk going there.

Lots of people go to difficult places, be they humanitarian workers, journalists, photographers, UN people, other diplomats or civil society organisations. But – regrettably, I would say – it is not often I’ve met other researchers in war zones.

Those of us who go, go because we feel we have a duty, because we are curious and must see for ourselves and because a visit opens doors to people, to the suffering and to natural human solidarity.

Media focus on all those with weapons in their hands – the warlords. I’ve always felt enriched and grateful to all the others one can meet, wonderful people who stand up and stand together, struggle, help their neighbours – and survive the other main type of people present, the murderers who get all the fame.

I’m no hero. Just that you know. Many (more) could do what I do.

But back to the social media boom, I’ve just experienced.

Continue reading “Thanks for the friends’ and followers’ boom”

“Shadow World” – on your tax money

I’ve felt deeply touched by Johan Grimonprez’ brilliant and frightening documentary “Shadow World” which is based on Andrew Feinstein’s book with the same name. I want to share it with my readers and here is all about the book and the movie. It was shown in November 2016 by Swedish Television with Swedish text but is due to be taken down a couple of month later. It will … Continue reading “Shadow World” – on your tax money

Facebook’s grotesque nudity censorship policy

Open Letter

Lund, Sweden, July 1, 2016

Dear Facebook friends

Yes, I consider this blocking of me – because of posting an image of nudity – for one day unreasonable.

Here is why:

The image of a naked young woman in water was taken from the Danish daily newspaper, Politiken – one of Denmark’s most respected newspapers.

This image was generated automatically by Facebook when I posted the link to the article on my profile page – i.e. not something I did deliberately or to provoke.

Secondly, the image is created by a Swedish professional and respected artistic photographer, Matilde Grafstrom – and is part of a project “Nude In The Public Space”.

The article is about an exhibition of these her works at the main square in Copenhagen – for anyone from anywhere in the world to see.

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I am myself a PhD in sociology and have specialised during 40+ years in international peace-making and peace research. Have worked or visited some 60 countries on all continents. I am also an art collector and art photographer who has taken many photos of women, young and old – portraits and bodies.

I tell you this because I am not insensitive to the respect we must all show for each other’s cultures and sensitive ethical issues if and when we want to live and work together on this earth.

Continue reading “Facebook’s grotesque nudity censorship policy”

DR2 om Irans atomvåben og valg

Er public service og fri presse = frihed til at være så propagandistisk som man lyster?

DR2 udsendte fredag den 26. februar 2016 kl 00:15 en time-langt fransk dokumentarfilm”Iran – “Iran – A-Bombe for enhver pris.” Fra 2011!
Underteksten: “Et af Vestens vigtigste forsvarsmål lige nu er at sætte en stopper for Irans atomprogram, og…”

Man må spørge i hvilken verden DR2’s programredaktører befinder sig.
Et 5 år gammelt program, der naturligvis intet siger om den atomaftale, Iran indgik i 2015.

Et program, der er tendentiøst, foreholder seerne visse vigtige fakta og farer med usandhed på flere punkter samt benytter tvivlsomme kilder; et program som er markant pro-vestligt, pro-israelsk (det afsluttes med en sekvens om det truede Israel) og i hvilket kun én iransk ekspert – i eksil i USA – kommer til orde.

Ingen der så dette program kunne få andet indtryk end at Iran er et gennemkriminelt land, der som det hedder i den direkte løgnagtige filmtitel for enhver pris ville have et atomvåben.

Intet om alt det, der kunne tale imod at dette var et våbenprogram. Ingen interview med en anerkendt ekspert og forfatter som f.eks. Gareth Porter – intet om andre landes atomvåben etc.

Filmen igennem gøres der ikke forskel på atomprogram (til energiformål) og atomvåbenprogram.

Og det er velkendt at Frankrig har modarbejdet Iran på dette område og repræsenterede Israels interesser ved de forhandlinger, der afsluttedes sidste år.

Continue reading “DR2 om Irans atomvåben og valg”

Kunne Danmark også gøre noget godt for verden?

Danmarks stadigt mere triste retning i verdens øjne:   • Muhammetegningerne og afvisningen af diplomatisk samtale   • Bombninger, krig, besættelse – fra Jugoslavien i 1999 til Irak 2 x, Libyen   • Beredvilligheden at bombe Syrien   • Medansvar for ISIS gennem besættelsen af Irak   • Generel fremmedfjendtlighed – to say the least   • Håndtering af terrorangreb, der ikke var det – … Continue reading Kunne Danmark også gøre noget godt for verden?

We don’t want walls anywhere

  The UN Charter states clearly: • The equal rights of men and women• The equal rights of nations large and small• The norm to bring about peace by peaceful means The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states clearly: • The norm that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, … Continue reading We don’t want walls anywhere

Don’t underestimate Donald Trump

Don’t underestimate him, count him out or think he is crazy.

NBC’s “Meet the Press” half-hour interview with Donald Trump is interesting. He has passion and a very fast mind, he seems to have integrity in the sense that he cannot be bought for money by others and he doesn’t mind having standpoints that conservative republicans find odd or surprising.

He is clearly eclectic and pragmatic rather than a theoretician, ideology-bent politician – and seems to build a lot on his entrepreneur experience and sense of reading people.

His vision – “making America great again!” – may be frightening and wrong and it is based on strength, on military but even more on economic strength.

The interesting thing is that he is much more realistic about the internal and external weaknesses of today’s U.S. than the rest of the political elites and decision-makers in Washington who seem all to be in denial of the empire’s relative decline.

Continue reading “Don’t underestimate Donald Trump”

Burundi’s crisis: Complacency, inaction or racism – or all of it?

There is no end, it seems, to diplomats and government representatives who “express concern”, appeal, urge the parties to show restraint, warn, condemn etc. All words, no deeds. European leaders reaction is basically silence – while 16 Europeans killed in the office of Charlie Hebdo made them walk arms in arm in Paris. When I think of Burundi today, all these words by Martin Luther … Continue reading Burundi’s crisis: Complacency, inaction or racism – or all of it?

The Zionist lobby does it again – and again

This is the second posting today on this issue…Please support Jake Lynch, a TFF Associate, from being sacked because of his solidarity with Palestine and SIGN this: Open letter to University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor:“Dr Spence, reject calls to punish Palestine-justice supporters”Sydney Staff for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (Sign after the list of signatures and before the comments) Continue reading The Zionist lobby does it again – and again

Yet another attack by Zionists on academic freedom

Medialens tells us that the Zionist lobby does it again! Are we surprised?Oh yes, when was it last all Western leaders praised freedom of expression by walking through Paris? Will even one of them now stand up and demand that this conference be held anyhow? What is it the West’s academic community boats about in comparison with other cultures – isn’t it freedom of our … Continue reading Yet another attack by Zionists on academic freedom

Hvordan skal vi reagere på voldelige angreb i Danmark?

Der er nok så meget “at komme efter” i det officielle Danmarks måde at møde politisk vold på. Det skriver jeg om hér i Ræson. Der er gået en rum tid og den værste hysteri har lagt sig; det skulle kunne fremme en mere relevant og ærlig diskussion end den, der handler om at Danmark var offer og scene for et angreb på hele den … Continue reading Hvordan skal vi reagere på voldelige angreb i Danmark?

P1 Debats politiske tilrettelæggelse omkring missilforsvaret

De fleste mennesker, der lytter til radio eller ser TV, tænker næppe så meget over hvad der også kunne være foregået og med hvilke deltagere. De ser et færdigt produkt, ikke processen – og de tager, nok så forståeligt, stilling til det de ser og hører snarere end til noget andet, de i en forestillingsverden kunne have set eller hørt.

Med de sociale medier kan man nu formidle informationer i rollen som mediemenneske og fortælle hvordan det også går til sådan bag kulisserne.

Måske lyttede du til P1 Debat på Danmarks Radio nu idag kl 12:15-13:00 om missilskjoldet og den russiske ambassadørs åbne brev? I så fald kan kopien herunder af min korrespondence med P1 Debats redaktør Anne Henderson måske have din interesse.

Den dokumenterer at jeg skriftligt blev inviteret til at deltage per telefon, at jeg sagde ja tak men under forudsætning af visse rammebetingelser kunne opfyldes gennem videre samtale – herunder a) at der blev mulighed for at forklare at missilforsvaret kan ses som en del af en større amerikansk atomkrigs-strategi og b) at der må være fair play med mig siddende udenfor studiet specielt når programmet efter min opfattelse allerede da er planlagt med en holdningsmæssig slagside.

Den viser endvidere at der gik næsten et døgn inden Hendersons svarer og så pludselig mener at det dér med at sidde på en telefon medførte at man har besluttet at jeg alligevel ikke skal deltage. Vel, læs selv nedenfor.

Continue reading “P1 Debats politiske tilrettelæggelse omkring missilforsvaret”

Like we use Islamism – why not USism

War with Iran is probably our best option – The Washington PostBy Joshua Muravchik – one of the extremist neo-cons influencing U.S. foreign policy. Hardly one argument backed up by facts here. The professor advocates a series of violations of international law. He thinks it is fine to kill people and cause regime change. Two simple points: Why does Washington Post publish such crap? Answer: … Continue reading Like we use Islamism – why not USism

The Saudi Arabia – Sweden row

Saudi Arabia recalled envoy to Sweden amid diplomatic row – YouTube video with Iranian PressTV. I comment on the Sweden-Saudi Aabia conflict, points out that it is good that Sweden introduces some ethical consideration but that it lacks a positive vision in Swedish foreign policy. Certainly Saudi Arabia – now the world’s largest arms importer – doesn’t need more weapons. It is wrong to cut … Continue reading The Saudi Arabia – Sweden row

The military game between NATO and Russia – it is dangerous and not in our name!

My interview with RT, Russia Today – This military build up is not in our name !! While we speak there is a huge military exercise in Northern Norway – a NATO member, Joint Viking. There is NATO’s Atlantic Resolve in the Baltic region (see interesting maps on the link). There are smaller ones in Germany and one coming up in the Black Sea. Why … Continue reading The military game between NATO and Russia – it is dangerous and not in our name!

Operation Atlantic Resolve – Europeans wake up!

Operation Atlantic ResolveLook at the map on this link with all NATO’s military “events” around Russia, planned from the Baltic Republics to Georgia – exactly what President Clinton started out on in 1993. Aren’t we grateful for the U.S. commitment to security in Europe? NO! This is uniquely stupid if you believe, really believe, that there is no military solution. You do this and you … Continue reading Operation Atlantic Resolve – Europeans wake up!

What the War on Terror Has Wrought: More terrorism

What the War on Terror Has Wrought: More TerrorismMy text for TFF PressInfo re-prited in CounterPunch – a “popular political sources in America, with a keen following in Washington” (The Observer). I’m proud to be re-printed there!TFF PressInfos are spread all over the place. You can get them by e-mail: write to PressInfo@transnational.org Continue reading What the War on Terror Has Wrought: More terrorism

I am not a Dane: Short open letter

My short open letter concerning the horrific attacks in Copenhagen in the weekend and the official reaction to them.http://ow.ly/JdIgI – Share if you find it meaningful.Thanks! Continue reading I am not a Dane: Short open letter

Wisdom of expression

Freedom of expression fundamentalism – or what happened to Charlie?Four main reasons you need to be wise – and not make New Atheism your new creed! This is TFF PressInfo # 304. You can get these fast-growing PressInfos winging into you e-box too. Just write to pressinfo@transnational.org Continue reading Wisdom of expression