Edgars Rinkēvičs, Latvia’s remarkable new president talks about his nation’s role in the world, the perils of all who border Putin’s Russia, how Europe can parse two conflicts at once, & his outlook.
Most perceptive...thank you for your thoughts and especially your remarking on the extraordinary vision of Latvia's brilliant young president. I ask myself (too often) how it is that a nation like America, with 10+ times the population of Latvia so often comes up so desperately short of talent to lead it.
and further on my last comment ... how, if we look back to our earliest days, how it was at the time that a young United States of America managed to find such a wealth of talent and vision?!
Very good to hear from the President of Lithuania, The Baltics have been an important area of contact between the West and Russia. We in the Far West, like California, can learn a lot from their experience and knowledge of the Bear that is Russia. Thank you for the insight this article brings to the situation.
I have been to Lithuania twice. Really an incredible place. I honestly feel every American should go there at least once to learn the history that should never be repeated.
Thank you professor. I'm new here, at the recommendation of a friend, also a professor. I shall see if your focus marries with mine. I do love this perspective window into leadership in the Baltic countries - close as they are to the area's rapacious hegemon. I once followed another writer who seemed a sane, balanced voice about Russia and that area of our world. In time though, he revealed unconsciously that he was little more than a shill for the Kremlin and it's world view. I've not read that author since that realization, many years ago. Thank you for what you do, sincerely.
To me it's not so much what others think of the US, but how poorly the people of the US are dealing with our own problems.
For instance, what this brilliant young president of Latvia says about dealing equally with whoever is in charge, it's clear he's not only brilliant but favorably cautious about putting the future above the present.
While America is dealing with promoting democracy globally, a blind eye being turned, has been the result of not having challenged the many times situations that should have been dealt with when they were first strangely rising up were ignored.
Sure, Biden has worked many miracles, so to speak, in advancements within our nation. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party is slow to fight back. Politicians have wrecked friendships and even families in this nation. A good 'for instance' would be when Mrs. Clinton, Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders were running for president. Clinton fans turned on Sanders fans and broke up many formerly great Facebook friendships. I was one of those Bernie fans.
Now what should have happened long ago was that people who loved the freedoms America offered should have used that freedom to think for themselves instead of letting others make up their minds.
Voting is one of those personal, private matters that calls for personal vetting of each politician and then voting for the one who pleases you the most, not a spouse, family members, or friends.
That so many were misled and lied to by politicians who were elected on the Republican Party ticket but were actually working for Donald Trump, while being salaried by our tax dollars to work for us.
That's one of those things that should have been ended when it started. Federal and State politicians are openly spewing horrifying Fascist promises and acting on them. But it seems sports, concerts, and shopping have the upper hand and no one seems to realize that another term with Donald Trump will end those joys and the glamour of being an American will be gone for as long as the people will cower and allow them to destroy all that we died for allegedly to protect democracy around the world.
When a man running for president in the United States of America says he is building his own military with Hell's Angels, the Poor Boys, and members of the nearly one thousand members of hate groups in this nation: if that man wins the election, there will be no place on this planet that will be safe from his wrath.
Now, take what I say as one of the many bits of advice you will receive from many directions, and vote the way you personally think would be best for America and we'll have to take it from there.
SO kind of you, professor … hope certainly shared !
d.
Thanks, Phyllis ... lots more coming ... don't hesitate to react !!!
Most perceptive...thank you for your thoughts and especially your remarking on the extraordinary vision of Latvia's brilliant young president. I ask myself (too often) how it is that a nation like America, with 10+ times the population of Latvia so often comes up so desperately short of talent to lead it.
yes
Totally !!
ALL of the Baltics for sure....thanks so much for pointing this out !
It's my pleasure ...and our MISSION !
stay tuned !! (and don't hesitate to spread the word !!
;-)
Thanks ever so much for reading, commenting and especially subscribing !!
stand by !!
and further on my last comment ... how, if we look back to our earliest days, how it was at the time that a young United States of America managed to find such a wealth of talent and vision?!
Read every word with admiration and growing sense of hope
An illuminating interview. Thank you.
Very good to hear from the President of Lithuania, The Baltics have been an important area of contact between the West and Russia. We in the Far West, like California, can learn a lot from their experience and knowledge of the Bear that is Russia. Thank you for the insight this article brings to the situation.
Isn't the interview with the President of Latvia?
I have been to Lithuania twice. Really an incredible place. I honestly feel every American should go there at least once to learn the history that should never be repeated.
Thanks for the insight to Latvia. My great grandfather was from Riga about 1890. I wonder what it was like there at that time? Thanks again.
Thank you professor. I'm new here, at the recommendation of a friend, also a professor. I shall see if your focus marries with mine. I do love this perspective window into leadership in the Baltic countries - close as they are to the area's rapacious hegemon. I once followed another writer who seemed a sane, balanced voice about Russia and that area of our world. In time though, he revealed unconsciously that he was little more than a shill for the Kremlin and it's world view. I've not read that author since that realization, many years ago. Thank you for what you do, sincerely.
To me it's not so much what others think of the US, but how poorly the people of the US are dealing with our own problems.
For instance, what this brilliant young president of Latvia says about dealing equally with whoever is in charge, it's clear he's not only brilliant but favorably cautious about putting the future above the present.
While America is dealing with promoting democracy globally, a blind eye being turned, has been the result of not having challenged the many times situations that should have been dealt with when they were first strangely rising up were ignored.
Sure, Biden has worked many miracles, so to speak, in advancements within our nation. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party is slow to fight back. Politicians have wrecked friendships and even families in this nation. A good 'for instance' would be when Mrs. Clinton, Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders were running for president. Clinton fans turned on Sanders fans and broke up many formerly great Facebook friendships. I was one of those Bernie fans.
Now what should have happened long ago was that people who loved the freedoms America offered should have used that freedom to think for themselves instead of letting others make up their minds.
Voting is one of those personal, private matters that calls for personal vetting of each politician and then voting for the one who pleases you the most, not a spouse, family members, or friends.
That so many were misled and lied to by politicians who were elected on the Republican Party ticket but were actually working for Donald Trump, while being salaried by our tax dollars to work for us.
That's one of those things that should have been ended when it started. Federal and State politicians are openly spewing horrifying Fascist promises and acting on them. But it seems sports, concerts, and shopping have the upper hand and no one seems to realize that another term with Donald Trump will end those joys and the glamour of being an American will be gone for as long as the people will cower and allow them to destroy all that we died for allegedly to protect democracy around the world.
When a man running for president in the United States of America says he is building his own military with Hell's Angels, the Poor Boys, and members of the nearly one thousand members of hate groups in this nation: if that man wins the election, there will be no place on this planet that will be safe from his wrath.
Now, take what I say as one of the many bits of advice you will receive from many directions, and vote the way you personally think would be best for America and we'll have to take it from there.
Very interesting ✌️🏴🎄🏴🌻