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Monthly Archives: December 2023

Gonnohyoe Yamamoto and the Navy Siemens Scandal

In 1913-1914, Admiral Gonnohyoe Yamamoto launched a new era in Japanese politics, bringing the nation one step closer to a democratic form of government. Eventually, however, the Imperial Japanese Navy led the administration into embarrassment.

Sanctions on Russia Prove Another Failure of the West

The limited impact of economic sanctions on Russia represents an additional data point proving that the West, even when relatively united, no longer rules the world. Indeed, its losing streak in major 21st century military conflicts continues unbroken, and it serially overestimates its ability to shape global affairs.

The Flameout of Fireball Fumio

As he desperately tries to survive the ruling party’s political funds scandal, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared that he “will act as a fireball at the forefront of the Liberal Democratic Party and work to restore the trust of the people.” Most analysts, however, see this administration in the midst of a spectacular flameout.

Meta Suppressing Pro-Palestinian Messages

Social media giant Meta has been called out by US Senator Elizabeth Warren for censoring pro-Palestinian messages on Instagram, treating one side in the ongoing conflict entirely differently from the other in terms of its moderation policies.

Taro Katsura and the Annexation of Korea

From 1908-1911, Taro Katsura led a second relatively long and stable administration of Japan. The most consequential event was his government’s decision to fully annex the Korean Peninsula, wiping out that neighboring nation’s independent legal existence.