44 Comments

Always a pleasure to listen to prof. M.'s arguments, but Jasmine needs to do a bit more homework before talking to him. Was quiite painful to listen to her poor argumentation based on lack of knowledge.

Expand full comment

It’s amazing to me that we can make the trains run on time but we can’t stay out of wars.

Another way to put it is “Isn’t it mind boggling that we as a species have mastered very complicated things like making the trains run on time, successfully flying airplanes and going to the moon but we can’t figure out how to stay out of wars?”.

Staying out of wars is much easier than making a train run on time.

All you have to do is listen to John Mearsheimer and the people on his side of the fence.

Being stupid isn’t smart…

Expand full comment

Seriously? Mearsheimer gave a talk to some Aussies on Ukraine war last year and despite the warmongering of the U.S., Mearsheimer nevertheless threatened his audience, Either you’re on our side (the USA) or you’re the enemy. Like Jeffrey Sachs he’s making a fortune giving people the facts but like most Americans he loves war. Bastard.

Expand full comment

What you said is absolutely absurd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! When you make an allegation like your's why don't you substantiate it with actual commentary made by Mearsheimer which validates your statement. That Jeffery Sachs loves war is also an absurd statement, based on nothing then your obvious dislike of him. You sound like the one with an agenda.

Expand full comment

Take your own advice first. Mearsheimer is on video regarding the comment to Australians. He has made such comments as war is just what countries do. Sachs has exactly the same attitude. The only agenda I have is an anti-war one. And are you telling me they’re flying round the world for free?

Expand full comment

When Mearshheimer discusses war and related issues he keeps an emotional distance and tries to remain objective, so it's not that he loves war or asking you to choose sides. Sachs does not present himself in the same way at all, and is more emotional. By the way war is what countries do from a historical perspective, not good, but true and in this 21st century I wonder if we will make to the next.

Expand full comment

Did you bother to watch the video I mentioned? Nope? And just because war “is what countries do from a historical perspective” doesn’t explain any perspective but a warring one, so you might as well have just said war “is what countries do “……. which is what Mearsheimer says. Clearly an American thing… 🧐

Expand full comment

It is different parts of the brain. It's like smoking tobacco. Everyone knows it is terrible for your health but people still do it.

Expand full comment

Haha - You’re correct! But as my “Course” strongly suggests, it’s best not to have chain smokers in charge of the cigarets…

Expand full comment

What a great interview, thank you!

Expand full comment

Staying out of the country during the election I see…

Expand full comment

As George Carlin said “It’s a freak show and by virtue of the fact that I’m in America Ive got a front row seat”.

So why anyone would want to give up their front row seat is crazy.

Expand full comment

Excellent analysis as usual, John. Honestly, you should have been even harsher with her when she spoke about Palestinians in the midst of a genocide as if they were less than human—just as her ancestors once spoke about the Holocaust victims. When ordinary people descend to such levels of barbarity and lack of humanity, it’s appalling. It would have been better to interrupt her and cut the interview entirely.

Germany has been directly or indirectly involved in four genocides over the last 120 years. Just to add some context.

Free Palestine

Fuck Isreal

Expand full comment

Wow, sir, that interviewer’s naivety on the Israel/Palestine issue was pretty astonishing. She just wants the fighting to stop? The Palestinians should accept that life is unfair and ask to be taken in by whom, exactly? Just give up and…what? Very modern thinking, actually.

Professor, listening to this interview causes me to think of Michael Tracey. He’s an independent journalist who has on occasion filled in for Glenn on System Update. I think you two would have an incredibly fascinating conversation and I really hope that it happens.

Expand full comment

I just don’t get your perspective on Israel. Gaza is not a genocide in any meaningful meaning of the word. And civilian deaths would not be close to where they are if it wasn’t for Hamas’ habit of hiding in plain sight within the civilian population.

When Hamas took the hostages they were gambling on an Israeli overreaction - had Palestinians not been slaughtered in large numbers the operation would have been a failure. So for them success was slaughter of their own people. And they’ve succeeded in spades. Of course since the victims all go to their heaven, there is nothing to feel guilty about. Quite an enviable position to be in.

Israel on the other hand damned if they do, wiped out if they don’t. As always. Sure they could have claimed the moral high ground and turned the other cheek. But after 75 years their patience was just a little thin.

Expand full comment

Doesn't fit with their preferred narrative so they don't address.

One thing I would disagree with you is implication that Israel has "turned the other cheek" for 75 years. They did engage in collective punishment in early years and did some bad things. Someone kills an Israeli, their family members would find their property destroyed and that sort of thing. Don't like that it took place but I do think the ends justified the means. Fortunately, in most recent war, Israel had the tools to operate in a reasonably ethical fashion given the constraints placed on it by Hamas. Why a realist would not recognize it, kind of baffles me and I have opinions but in the end, I don't really know for sure.

Expand full comment

Did you miss the video of Israelis shooting at people holding white flags?

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/gaza-palestinian-israel-white-flag-shot-dead-killed-rcna135419

Or the Pope condemning killing of civilians? https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/16/women-killed-at-holy-family-parish-gaza-israel/

Expand full comment

Snippets from the article:

1) NBC News cannot confirm Hijazi’s account of who opened fire,

2) Ahmed Hijazi, a Palestinian videographer who witnessed the event and recorded the videos,

3) A spokesperson said that the IDF was “not aware of this incident” and that “the video is clearly edited, and we have no way to comment.”

Would also point out that the video clearly shows other people behind them who for all we know shot him. There is also shooting following the man being shot. Perhaps they were crack shots initially following which their aim went to pot.

I see alternative explanations that are more plausible. War is dangerous and no one, including the IDF are perfect. I cannot say Israel did not shoot an unarmed man but neither can you say they shot him.

Everyone, with the exception of Hamas who desires the killing of civilians condemns such events. Why would you expect the Pope to support Hamas policy?

Expand full comment

Here is a followup to the story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpqI6mCKLpQ

A more extensive report on OCT7 and Israel's response: https://www.un.org/unispal/document/coi-report-a-hrc-56-26-27may24/

Expand full comment

Thanks. Your post was free of the usual anti-Israel vitriole so a salute to you.

That is pretty much what I would have guessed and it is good to hear that Israel is investigating the event. Their courts are good and investigation is probably the best that can exist in war. I continue to believe Israel has conducted itself very well in what is an extremely difficult situation where mistakes will occur. 95+% of the fault lies with Hamas who should be driven from the face of the earth for the good of humanity and the long term good of the Palestinian people.

Expand full comment
Nov 16·edited Nov 16

@jeff boyd

imho, "terrorism" is always the reaction to decades, if not centuries, of oppression, injustice, indifference by people who consider themselves worthier than those they oppress.

israel overstepped its national territory and turned into an occupying power that, according to more than one voice, has established the biggest open air prison - some call it the biggest open air concentration camp - on earth in palestine. decades of disrespect, disdain, destruction, siege, starvation ...

according to int'l law, which no-one seems to bother about anymore, an occupying power cannot claim the right to self-defense in territories it occupies. an occupation must be temporary. negotiations must move the occupier to return to his original national territory.

israel has been refusing to do so for decades. int'l. law also states, that people under occupation have every right to defend themselves, to rid themselves of the occupier, even violently, if need be.

remember israel's PM in september 2023. he presented to the UN general assembly a map of his "new middle east": every country which is part of the region was on that map. except for palestine.

i expected public outcries in outrage. when there was silence instead, israel's PM knew that he could step over that red line, too, and again with impunity. while the int'l community is either too weak - or too indifferent? - to stop what was supposed to happen "never again!"

Expand full comment

Terrorism is from people who are willing to endure huge death counts to bring changes faster than are realistic/best from people who do not possess wisdom.

Expand full comment

Great conversation.

Jasmin asked a couple questions I had too.

I wouldn’t call P. Morgan mainstream media either, but he’s probably closest to it.

“Land is the only thing in the world worth workin' for, worth fightin' for, worth dyin' for, because it's the only thing that lasts.”

Hmm.

Expand full comment

She resembles Piers Morgan but a mild version.

Expand full comment

Germany? Jesus.... Get the Jews back there so Adolph Netanyahu can get busy.

Sudan? A little bit of global hell ..

Never in modern history have so many people faced starvation and famine as in Sudan today,” according to UN experts. “Severe levels of hunger” affect more than 25 million people, including 97% of the over 11 million internally displaced people (IDPs). Along with the over three million others who have fled to neighboring countries, 30% of Sudan’s population has been displaced.

Adding to the largest displacement crisis in the world, the wave of attacks since October 20 has forced another 135,000 people to flee from the eastern region of the state, the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on November 1.

Expand full comment

Watching you handle her when she started throwing the "Why don't the Palestinians..." Professor John was interesting - of course lightyears easier than facing Piers Morgan, she isn't tabloid.

And fair to say she gave voice to 'mainstream LAFP' in Germany and region, and now they have their thoughtful counter.

Frankly, with the levels or pre-war let alone ongoing war Ukraine, personally I'm glad you were overrode about leaving nukes in their unstable hands - especially with all the CIA influencing going on there. We can just be glad the Israelis don't have them either.... oh wait. :/

Expand full comment

Dr. Mearsheimer,

First and foremost, happy veterans Day. While today is a day of remembrance and respect for the sacrifices of the many who have fought and fell for the nations of the world, we cannot fail to apply the precepts of offensive realism to our current situation, both in the American Republic, Europe, and elsewhere. I hope and pray that we can find peace for this generation.

Thanks,

A. E. S.

Expand full comment

USA interference

Expand full comment

Professor Mearsheimer's view of how Trump won the election:

https://x.com/online_shogun/status/1854115841517789683

Expand full comment

Jasmin Kosubek wants Palestinians to accept unfairness. First, it's a massive unfairness not a small one. I don't get why one should accept mass murder, rape and threat of mass murder. I don't get why one should accept racism. Should the Jews just say the Holocaust was acceptable? That's where racism leads to. Like the present genocide.

Expand full comment

Dr. Mearsheimer,

If the Democrats or Republicans call foul play at the electoral results, do you think it will result in an existential crisis for America in the form of a broken government. I fear any and all controversy not decided at the ballot box could be detrimental for the health of the Republic and this nation for which it stands. Therefore, I hope that today the people can set aside their differences and decide upon our representation, without giving undue controversy and duress. The United States must be ready for every possible political situation, and we must not have a repeat of 2020. I fear our reputation as a democratic Republic precedes any lack of personal obligation to the principle of freely elected representation and due process. Hopefully the American people will stand together and work together for a better future and a more peaceful world, even in the face of an anarchic international system where allegiance varies and competition is key.

Thanks,

A. E. S.

Expand full comment