U.S. nuclear policies – two world views

Last night I had the opportunity to discuss nuclear weapons with an experienced,  high-ranking security analyst who has been both a military, a scholar, an assistant secretary of defence, presidential adviser, a corporate man and now a think tank member, Lawrence J. Korb. We were discussing the issues touched upon in this and this article. I would assume that the debate – facilitated by Iran’s PressTV in … Continue reading U.S. nuclear policies – two world views

EU’s so-called refugee crisis – and what should and must be done

Commenting on PressTv on July 22, 2016 after yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean. But how much did the media cover that in comparison with the Nice tragedy – and Hollande’s killing of 120 innocent civilians as revenge for Nice (which at the time was not known to have any connections to ISIS or similar). Continue reading EU’s so-called refugee crisis – and what should and must be done

Obama is urged to make closer ties with Iran

In an open letter – hardly mentioned by the Western mainstream press, a group of high-level and rather “Realpolitik” US diplomats, scholars, military and politicians urge President Obama to take concrete steps to intensify the co-operation with Iran. There are obviously concerned that the U.S. shall be perceived as an obstacles for the implementation of the JCPOA, or the Iran Nuclear Deal that, on Thursday the 14th, … Continue reading Obama is urged to make closer ties with Iran

“Peace, Conflict, Democracy”

The West leaves, a multi-polar world comes Jan Øberg – Video lecture – Part 1/3 Continue reading “Peace, Conflict, Democracy”

NATO outdated – Abolish war

Commenting on NATO S-G Jens Stoltenberg’s wish for dialogue with Russia – a bit odd after all the other provocative initiatives he has spearheaded the last good year or so. I felt like saying something more general about this outdated paradigm – and why it is dangerous for us all – referring also to the Russell-Einstein Manifesto of 1955. You may also see it as … Continue reading NATO outdated – Abolish war

Today’s V-Day as a lost opportunity for peace-making

This is TFF PressInfo # 321. It’s about the lack of wisdom and compassion of the Western leaders who are staying away from today’s commemoration/Celebration in Moscow of the victory over Nazi Germany. The different nationalities of the then Soviet Union lost between 20 and 27 million people. Why is it that all European countries remember their own sacrifies but ignore the largest sacrifice of … Continue reading Today’s V-Day as a lost opportunity for peace-making

Militarism, taxpayer money for war planning and lack of democracy

My deeply concerned wake-up call to YOU! Please share and spread further!NATO’s military leader is like a man given a scalpel to perform surgery without ever having opened a book on medicine.Taxpayers pay for getting less and less secure and risking war in Europe. These military elites have no democratic mandate – be it in the West, Russia, China or anywhere.My interview with RT International Continue reading Militarism, taxpayer money for war planning and lack of democracy

Hvad skal Danmark med kampfly?

Der findes bedre argumenter imod end for. De officielle argumenter holder i hvert fald ikke. Og i det hele taget handler en informeret debat i et demokrati absolut ikke bare om hvilket kampfly, vi skal have.“Opinionen. Magasinet med tværkulturel kant” har lavet et længere interview om disse ting og om hvad dansk udenrigspolitik også kunne være – med en lille smule krativitet. God læsning! Continue reading Hvad skal Danmark med kampfly?

The links between refugees and war

It’s our wars, stupid!A short interview on Russia Today about Europe’s woefully inadequate understanding of why refugees come here.Towards a solution: Deal with conflicts early and by peaceful means, criminalise arms trade and abolish war and you’ve solved most of the world’s refugee problems!Interview on YouTube with RT International (700 million viewers worldwide and to be broadcast repeatedly on April 20, 2015). Continue reading The links between refugees and war

Tænk hvis nogen havde lært noget

Syriens præsident: De farligste IS-ledere i vores region er fra Skandinavien Det er nok en tanke værd dét al-Assad hér siger. I foråret 2013 talte jeg – lige efter daværende udenrigsminister Villy Søvndal – på en konference arrangeret af Udenrigsministeriet og Dansk Institut for Internationale Studier, DIIS. Jeg advarede mod alt hvad der på den tid blev gjort af en gruppe lande, inkl Danmark, der … Continue reading Tænk hvis nogen havde lært noget

If so, let the U.S. isolate itself

Iran says nuclear deal depends on lifting of sanctions | Reuters This is a timely reminder to those who believe the Iran nuclear deal can be reduced to and hinges upon the deal between Congress and Obama. Says Iranian President Rouhani: “We are in talks with the major powers and not with the Congress,” Rouhani said. I draw three conclusions: 1. If there will be … Continue reading If so, let the U.S. isolate itself

The Nordic defence ministers letter isn’t helpful at all

Stubb and Tuomioja rush to reassure after Russian statement: “Nothing to worry about” | yle.fi To old-fashioned politics, security is still predominantly about weapons, military activities and “signalling”. It’s not about dialogue, human security and quickly opening up areas of co-operation which could help bring about mutual understanding. One way of interpreting this Nordic defence co-operation push is to see it as a way to … Continue reading The Nordic defence ministers letter isn’t helpful at all

Fremragende lille bog om terror

Jeg anbefaler på det varmeste Carsten Bagge Laustsens “Terror”, udgivet i serien Tænkepauser fra Aarhus Universitet (60 sider).Den er kyndig, klog og meget velskrevet, let at læse og – som man siger – få forstand af. Den indeholder tre glimrende dele med god balance mellem begreber, teori og praktiske eksempler – hvad er terror for en størrelse (og den er meget bredere og mere diffus … Continue reading Fremragende lille bog om terror

Comment to Israel’s defence minister in Washington Post

Israel’s defence minister Moshe Ya’alon writes in Washington Post under the headline “Current Iran framework will make war more likely”When I wrote my comment there were already more than 1100 comments – so here it is: “Israel’s defence minister is an echo of PM Netanyahu. Nothing new, Israel’s official views are well-known, beamed out a thousand times more effectively than Iran’s to the world, not … Continue reading Comment to Israel’s defence minister in Washington Post

Iran nuclear deal – a road to peace

Jan Oberg commenting on Iranian President Rouhani: “Tehran abides by commitments, if P5 1 fulfills promises” – YouTube/PressTV http://ow.ly/LbX3d In spite of the deal’s negative sides, Iran has chosen peace to the benefit of the world. In that perspective it is much more than a nuclear deal, it’s – potentially – a road to peace. Continue reading Iran nuclear deal – a road to peace

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”

Politikere og medier savner åbenbart enhver ekspertise om missilskjoldet til at modstå Washingtons salgsteknikker

Åbent brev sendt til 2200 mennesker i Norden herunder 325 danske medieadresser.

Af Jan Øberg
Dr.hc., forskningschef TFF
21. marts 2015

Missilskjoldet tjener til at gøre det muligt at udkæmpe og vinde en atomkrig – ikke at afskrække fra den

Den russiske ambassadørs artikel i Jyllands-Posten kan maaske siges at være bombastisk formuleret men i grunden har han – og ikke udenrigsminister Lidegaard – ret.

Ledende medier som f.eks. Danmarks Radio, Ritzaus og Politiken giver baggrund til missilforsvaret som vidner om total mangel paa fagkundskab om strategi og atomdoktriner.

I stærk kontrast til hvad vi hører om missilskjoldet – som Danmark nu tilsyneladende skal bidrage til – er det det mest de-stabiliserende indslag i atompolitikken siden 1945.

Det kan kun opfattes af Rusland og andre som en provokation.

Her er den forklaring som beslutningstagerne næppe har modtaget fra Washington, ministerier eller militære kredse. Den gælder for atomvaaben saavel som for konventionelle:

Den klassiske terrorbalance fra 1950-erne handler om at hvis A har kastet sine raketter – inkl atomare – paa B, saa vil B altid have tilstrækkeligt at gengælde med nemlig atomvaaben paa sine fly, ubaade og i siloer, som A ikke har mulighed for at slaa ud i sit første angreb.

Det hed “gensidigt sikret ødelæggelse”- MAD, Mutually Assured Destruction. Den afskrækkende værdi laa i at begge parter vidste at hvis de startede en atomkrig ville deres egne befolkninger dø i millionvis som følge af modpartens gengældelse.

Hvad indebærer det i dette perspektiv at udvikle et missilskjold eller “forsvar”?

Enkelt udtrykt at A forsøger paa at hindre B i at kunne faa sine gengældelsesvaaben igennem til A. At der altsaa kun er én part, der bliver smadret men dens anden “vinder”. Hvis – og det er det store spørgsmaal – man har den tekniske evne til saa at sige at skyde pistolkugler ned med pistolkugler.

Det betyder at hvis A tror at han har et saadant system med hvilket han kan skyde modpartens gengældelsesmissiler ned saa øger hans tro paa muligheden af at han – uden selv at lide skade – kan indlede, gennemføre og vinde en atomkrig med mindre risiko for sin egen befolkning.

Dette sænker den psykologiske tærskel for atomkrig. Det gør atomkrig mere sandsynlig!

Continue reading “Politikere og medier savner åbenbart enhver ekspertise om missilskjoldet til at modstå Washingtons salgsteknikker”

EU agrees on sanctions on Russia – but what about peace?

EU agrees Russia sanctions to stay until Ukraine peace terms met (Reuters). Exactly as expected. If the EU can make a conflict-resolution mistake, rest assured that it will! Minsk is not a peace agreement – but at Reuters they don’t know the difference between a ceasefire and a peace agreement. The looming catastrophe is exactly that there is no follow-up to Minsk II, no process … Continue reading EU agrees on sanctions on Russia – but what about peace?

Samtale om mulighederne for fred i Ukraine

Hvad skal der til for at skabe fred igen i og omkring Ukraine? Knapt 50 min samtale med Arne Hansen – med udblik til FN, tanken om fredsbevarende styrker, forsoning, den kolde krig, menneskers muligheder for at skabe forandring og om hvordan vi kan bruge forskellige medier på forskellig måde så vi tegner vore egne billeder af verden istedet for at blive forført af politisk … Continue reading Samtale om mulighederne for fred i Ukraine

Kosovo – the West’s predictable fiasco

Baffling Kosovo mass exodus exposes domestic hardships – Al Jazeera5% of the people have left, 100,000 this year.Funny how in the 1990s the only problems were Serbs and Belgrade. NATO bombed and forced Kosovo out of Yugoslavia.Billions of dollars have poured in from the world; EU, NATO etc. helped build the country. When TFF was there as mediators (1991-2001), we always said: Discuss first what kind … Continue reading Kosovo – the West’s predictable fiasco

From preventing to making peace in Ukraine

Today published a new TFF PressInfo # 314 with the above headline. I hope you’ll find it more constructive than most of the other things you may see and that you will hsrae it if you do. Also, you can subscribe to TFF PressInfos and get them by e-mail into your in-box – before they are posted on the Net – by writing to pressinfo@transnational.org … Continue reading From preventing to making peace in Ukraine

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!

TFF PressInfo # 313: Ignore the 47 irresponsible US Republican senators

By Farhang Jahanpour & Jan Oberg, TFF Board membersRead the whole text “Ignore the 47 irresponsible US Republican senators – here” Now that Iran cannot trust the U.S. – what must be done to secure a nuclear deal? NATO and EU friends of the US as well as the other negotiating powers must come forward. Iran must be assured that a deal is a deal. … Continue reading TFF PressInfo # 313: Ignore the 47 irresponsible US Republican senators

Gun in hand – less motivated to negotiate

Syrian Rebels in Aleppo Reject UN Peace Effort Perhaps understandable but tragic. When all this began in Syria some of us – a clear minority and without any media interest – suggested an arms embargo on all sides and involvement of the UN. But “Friends of Syria”, hot-headed politicians and media people knew that arming the opposition and never talk with Al-Assad was the only … Continue reading Gun in hand – less motivated to negotiate

About the nuclear negotiations with Iran

Iran’s FM Zarif: “Any deal with P5 1 would cover all issues”I agree with the foreign minister and point out how a-symmetric this conflict is. I believe also that historic mistrust should have been dealt with before technicalitites.Then I ask how on earth it could be better for Israel if there is no deal than if there is one – as PM Netanyuahu argues and … Continue reading About the nuclear negotiations with Iran

Olof Palme – murdered today 29 years

Olof Palme – murdered today 29 years ago • Wikipedia A politician who willed a better society, to whom politics was a calling – working for justice, international law, nuclear disarmament, against big countries bullying small countries, a person who made Sweden stand ut. Then. And it was the Palme Commission on Common Security that broke the ice towards the end of the Cold War … Continue reading Olof Palme – murdered today 29 years

DR Deadline og Iran – det sædvanlige bare lidt mere subtilt

Deadline – DR tog i aften Iran og kærnevåben-diskussionen op. Det er da godt for sagen kan blive afgørende for hele Mellemøsten og store dele af verden i år. Men for at have den iranske vice-udenrigsminister med så må man – politisk korrekt – før og efter interviewet have en saglig, lavmælt herboende iransk analytiker med, der efterlader det indtryk at Iran a) har en … Continue reading DR Deadline og Iran – det sædvanlige bare lidt mere subtilt

TFF PressInfo # 309: Learn conflict and peace in 20 minutes

Just out! TFF PressInfo # 309Learn conflict and peace in 20 minutes11.000 people around the world just got it in their mailbox. If you did not, write to press@transnational.org Continue reading TFF PressInfo # 309: Learn conflict and peace in 20 minutes

NATO strengthens forces in Eastern Europe

NATO strengthens forces in eastern Europe against Russia risk – Reuters This is indeed worrying and will cause a tough Russian response at some point. However, it is a little less militaristic than I had feared (or the more worrying steps are not made public). NATO talks war preparation while Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande are on diplomatic mission to Kiev and Moscow with a … Continue reading NATO strengthens forces in Eastern Europe

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

If one could say so I would: “I’m Pope!”

After Paris attacks, Pope Francis speaks out against insulting religions: “You can’t kill in the name of a religion. That is an aberration.” And “You can’t provoke, you can’t insult the faith of others, you can’t make fun of faith.” Thank God there is such a wise Pope! If it couldn’t be misunderstood I would say “I’m Pope”! Remember also Gandhi: “There can be no … Continue reading If one could say so I would: “I’m Pope!”

Would one European leader say “nonviolence” too?

Text: • Who of them will say: “My belief in my Western identity and our values and culture is strong. Therefore, I am Security, Police and Intelligence – but I am also Nonviolence, Dialogue and Reconciliation. And I feel safe when I take the first step away from the spiral of violence. • Let me repeat for a thousandth time that nonviolence is of the … Continue reading Would one European leader say “nonviolence” too?

“We Are All Charlie” – but is that story so simple?

Eleven points as a reflection on the terror in Paris and – not the least – the reactions to it*:

1. What was this an attack on?
Was that attack an attack on freedom of speech as such, on democracy, even on the whole Western culture and lifestyle, as was maintained throughout? Or was it, more limited, a revenge directed at one weekly magazine for what some perceive as blasphemy?

2. Is freedom of expression practised or curtailed for various reasons?
How real is that freedom in the West? Just a couple of days before the Paris massacre PEN in the U.S. published a report – Global Chilling – finding that about 75% of writers report that they are influenced by the NSA listening and abstain from taking up certain subjects or perspectives? Self-censorship, in other words. Finally, most of the political leaders marching in Paris on Sunday January 11 have clamped down on media, such as Turkey and Egypt.

I must admit that I have experienced limitations in the practise of that freedom in my work with Western media and it is decades ago I draw the conclusion that things like political correctness, ownership, commercial/market considerations and journalists’ need for good relations with power – e.g. to obtain interviews – play a role.

I’ve been on the ground in conflict zones and returning home to see reports so biased to tell very little of what I’ve seen myself. And we’ve recently seen lots of cases from the U.S. academic world where there’s been a clampdown on certain views, pulications, courses and professors – not the least in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Or, you look at the proportions between government fund available for peace research and military research in virtually every Western society; free research is a vital element in the self-understanding of the West. But how much of do we have?

3. Freedom doesn’t mean duty.
Is freedom of expression really 100% irrespective of how much the practise of that freedom is hurtful, offending, humiliating or discriminatory against other peoples, religions and cultures? Even if you can express your opinions freely it is not always what we should do.

Continue reading ““We Are All Charlie” – but is that story so simple?”

Depiction of the Spiral of Violence

Or, rather, of violence against violence + terrorism against terrorism. Among the marchers against terrorism and for freedom of expression we find leaders from France, Denmark, Egypt, Italy, Turkey, Russia, the U.S., Israel, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Bahrein and Ukraine. What do they have in common? A deep belief in violence – violence of various types: 9-10 of them presently fighting foreign wars (mostly against or … Continue reading Depiction of the Spiral of Violence

TFF PressInfo! Let it wing into your e-mail inbox

Get TFF PressInfoLet it wing into you e-mail inbox!A rapidly growing peace politics e-mail service. It’s topical, for peace, and well-researched and sometimes provocative. Points you don’t often get in the media.It is free and you can unsub anytime with a click. Why not try it now?Sign up here… Continue reading TFF PressInfo! Let it wing into your e-mail inbox

Before Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wallström, gets too excited…

Before Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margot Wallström, gets too excited about the Russian Bear: Here is the story of NATO’s Iron Sword 2014 exercise! Wouldn’t it be great if, say, Svenska Dagbladet, DN, Politiken, Sydsvenskan, DR.dk., SVT.se., Göteborgs-Posten, Jyllands-Posten, Information, BBC, CNN, Al-Jazeera, Washington Post, Huffington Post, Frankfurter Allgemeine, The Guardian . . . had mentioned this exercise somewhere? Just as a matter of … Continue reading Before Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wallström, gets too excited…

► ► TFF PressInfo # 288 – Where it all went wrong and lessons were never learnt

TFF PressInfo # 288 – Where it all went wrong and lessons were never learnt Why the “conflict management” and “peace making” by the West during the dissolution of Yugoslavia was much more important for our time and what happens now than anticipated. Much of the terrible crisis we see today was started by policies and principles introduced for the first time in Yugoslavia from … Continue reading ► ► TFF PressInfo # 288 – Where it all went wrong and lessons were never learnt

Ukraine – Conflict Diagnosis and How To Avoid New Cold War

Public Lecture Where: Orkanen, room D131When: 16:00 – 18:00What: Ukraine – A Broader Conflict Diagnosis Towards Peace Instead of a New Cold War with lecturer Jan Öberg UF Malmö welcomes Jan Öberg, Director of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research (TFF), to discuss with us the Russia-Ukraine situation, and how it is an example of conflict-creation and confrontation. TFF is an independent think … Continue reading Ukraine – Conflict Diagnosis and How To Avoid New Cold War

TFF PressInfo # 285: What submarine in Sweden?

TFF PressInfo # 285: What submarine in Sweden? From Swedish defence force to farce – and boulevard press journalism. Who is playing with our security? Continue reading TFF PressInfo # 285: What submarine in Sweden?

► ► Bosnia today and Yugoslavia then

Voting has begun in Bosnia in an election dominated by nationalist rhetoric and a stagnant economy. A good 2000 pages by three scholars who were present during the wars in Yugoslavia and did not buy the Western political and media simplifications and blame game. Neither did they buy the Western ‘peace’ making, the results of which can be seen in today’s Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia … Continue reading ► ► Bosnia today and Yugoslavia then

☮ ☮ TFF PressInfo 283: Nobel’s Peace Prize is not a human rights prize

☮ ☮ TFF PressInfo 283: Nobel’s Peace Prize is not a human rights prize The Nobel Committee again ignores Alfred Nobel’s words and spirit. Just spend 3 minutes and read Nobel’s will. Establish a new committee composed of experts in peace and not retired members of parliament. Peace people around the world have been deprived of their prize and I say so even though I … Continue reading ☮ ☮ TFF PressInfo 283: Nobel’s Peace Prize is not a human rights prize

► ► TFF PressInfo 282: Instead of bombing IS (Part B)

TFF PressInfo 282 Instead of bombing ISIS – Concrete proposals (Part B) Lots of proposals, doable and much more efficient than war. Please SHARE, thanks. The alternative to war is not to do nothing, it is to do something else! Continue reading ► ► TFF PressInfo 282: Instead of bombing IS (Part B)

► ► New TFF PressInfo 281: Instead of bombing IS (Part A)

TFF PressInfo 281: Instead of bombing IS (Part A) – Please SHARE It’s easy to be pro-war. It is easy to be anti-war. But we need alternatives to war! The first of two comprehensive pro-peace analyses containing no less than 27 proposals as alternatives to war. This one contains principles, tomorrow’s Part B offers concrete proposals. YOU can get TFF PressInfos too winging into your … Continue reading ► ► New TFF PressInfo 281: Instead of bombing IS (Part A)

Fogh Rasmussen efterlader en verden i kaos

Interview med Jens Malling – Publiceret i Arbejderen Efterlader en verden i kaos Anders Fogh Rasmussen træder tilbage som Natos generalsekretær i dag efter fem år på posten. Aggressivitet over for Rusland og hykleri når det gælder Irak har ifølge fredsforsker Jan Øberg kendetegnet hans sidste år i spidsen for organisationen. Et udtryk for Vestens moralske forfald, mener han AF JENS MALLING ”Verden er et … Continue reading Fogh Rasmussen efterlader en verden i kaos