January 24th 2026 Kleptocracy Kleptocracy Let us call it what it actually is. A kleptocracy. To rule by a class of thieves. Coined in the early 19th century, this term describes a government where leaders abuse political power to personally embezzle or expropriate a nation’s wealth. As the brilliant and prescient Sarah Kendzior has written, Trump is a kleptocrat more than a fascist. He is only interested in stealing all he can for himself, his family and his inner sanctum. He cares not a wit...

January 23rd 2026 Finding the Strength Finding the strength I think of the women in Gaza who have been under siege for two years (and all the years before), almost certainly homeless, almost certainly moving from place to place seeking sanctuary for themselves and their children. I think of the men and women on the front lines of Ukraine, 4 years into a war they didn’t ask for. I think of the children around the world facing violence at home every day. I think of those people carrying the...

January 21st 2026 Buying entry to the castle Buying entry to the castle I have come to regard the Nobel Peace Prize as stupid tokenism. When the recent winner gave her prize to Donald Trump, it was clear she was seeking to fawn her way into power in Venezuela. Selling our souls. Another form of prostitution. (With no disrespect to the working prostitutes of the world, who know exactly who they are and what they are doing, and therefore are far more honest than the countless examples of...