Friday, September 16, 2022
William O. Beeman: Europe is Steadfact in Restricting Petroleum Imports from Russia
https://www.tahlilbazaar.com/news/174668/Professor-Beeman-Europe-is-steadfast-in-restricting-petroleum
Professor Beeman: Europe is steadfast in restricting petroleum imports from Russia
TEHRAN(Bazaar) – William O. Beeman, Professor Emeritus of University of Minnesota, says Europe is steadfast in restricting petroleum imports from Russia.
He adds: “It is not clear what will happen later this year when the need for fuel is much greater.”
Following is the text of the Bazaar interview with Professor William O. Beeman.
Q: Poll results indicate a decrease in Biden's popularity. What are the reasons for his decline in popularity?
A: Actually, that is not true. President Biden's approval ratings have been increasing. They are still below what would be "safe" for the midterm elections. His recent legislative successes and fiery speeches attacking "MAGA" (Trump) Republicans have resulted in rising approval.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-approval-rating/
Q: What role will the US congressional elections play in Biden's future? If the Democratic Party loses in this election, is it possible to lose in future presidential elections?
A: Congressional elections are crucial. If Republicans capture the House of Representatives, they will immediately launch all kinds of hearings and attacks on the President and his family. The investigation into the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol will be canceled, and no Democratic legislation will pass, making any effective legislation impossible. The chances for Republicans in the Senate are far less positive. The Republicans have nominated a number of very bad candidates. They may still win, but their chances are slim. If Democrats retain the Senate at least Biden will be able to get his judicial appointments approved. If Republicans capture both the Senate and the House, no legislation will move forward for the next two years, and no appointments will be approved. In effect, the government will stop dead.
Q: Due to the increasing trend of inflation in America, the Federal Reserve has increased the interest rate to curb it. This would mean a recession in the US economy. What are the effects of this issue in the medium and long term for America?
A: Thus far there is no recession. Unemployment is still very low, and economists have mixed opinions as to whether a recession is expected. However, both inflation and recession are very bad for Democrats, and they still will have a big effect on the election.
Q: According to the current trend, what is your prediction of oil and gas prices this fall and winter?
A: Right now, oil and gas prices are falling. They usually rise in the winter because of the need for heating oil and electricity generation, increasingly coming from natural gas. The question is: will gas prices be low enough not to be a factor in the November elections. If gas prices remain low until then, they will have a smaller effect on voter enthusiasm. And in the United States where "turnout" for the midterm elections is very low, it is as important as possible to get Democrats to the polls to vote for President Biden and his party.
Q: What is the effect of lack of energy in winter in the process of war between Russia and Ukraine? Is it possible for Europe to give concessions to Russia?
A: Right now, Europe is steadfast in restricting petroleum imports from Russia. It is not clear what will happen later this year when the need for fuel is much greater.
Friday, March 11, 2022
West views Ukraine more favorably than Yemen--William O. Beeman
https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/470780/West-views-Ukraine-more-favorably-than-Yemen-academic
West views Ukraine more favorably than Yemen: academic
By Mohammad Mazhari
International
March 7, 2022 - 15:23
THRAN – An American academic says that Western powers regard the Ukraine crisis more favorably for assistance than Yemen or Afghanistan.
“Unfortunately, Europeans and Americans are viewing the Ukrainian situation more favorably for aid and assistance than Yemen or Afghanistan,” William O. Beeman tells the Tehran Times.
“Some claim that this is due to the inherent racist or Islamophobic tendencies in Europe and the United States. There is no question that Ukraine is seen as White and Christian (President Zelensky is, however, the only international Jewish head of state outside of Israel),” Beeman adds.
Following is the text of the interview:
Q: Some political pundits like John Mearsheimer believe that Ukraine could be neutral and get rid of the West-Russia competition. But what happened is that Ukraine entered the competition. What is your comment?
A: It appears to be too late for Ukraine to remain both neutral and independent of the Russia-Euro American competition. Zelensky has already asked the EU for membership and has requested NATO membership. The only thing that Putin would accept is for Zelensky to be removed and some pro-Moscow puppet be put in his place, as in Belarus. Putin wants to recreate the Russian Empire, and "unite all Slavic people." His position is that Ukraine is a "fake country" created by Lenin/Stalin and is really part of Greater Russia. And as for neutrality, with even perpetually neutral Finland and Sweden now considering joining NATO, that ship has sailed.
Q: How do you see reactions of the American public to the Ukraine war? Apparently, some Republicans, particularly Trump, praise Putin.
A: Part of the American public listens to former president Trump and right-wing media such as Fox News. Commentator Tucker Carlson has been rooting for Russia, and there is a segment of the American population that follows this line of thinking without much real examination of the issues. However, recent polls show that more than 80% of the American public does not support Putin's actions, and many say they would be willing to pay more for energy if it would stop Putin's invasion.
Q: What is America's record when we talk about respecting sovereignty?
Is there a good invasion and a bad invasion? For example, when America invades Iraq it is reasonable but when other countries do the same thing it is a violation of international law?
A: The United States has a terrible record when it comes to honoring the sovereignty of other nations. Over decades the United States has been involved in efforts of regime change in many nations including Latin America, the Middle East (West Asia), and Southeast Asia. Many of these actions before the fall of the Soviet Union were aimed at Cold War containment of "Communism". More recently actions directed at Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria were directly aimed at regime change or regime support. So, in purely historical terms, the United States doesn't have much room to lecture other nations about the morality of hegemony.
Q: How may the Ukraine crisis affect the Vienna talks?
A: If the JCPOA is restored and sanctions against Iran are lifted-especially sanctions against oil and natural gas exports, it would greatly relieve petroleum scarcity in the world market. Iran has a large stockpile of unsold petroleum products that could be immediately released. Iran's oil export capacity could meet 1/3 of all European needs for oil. So resolving the JCPOA would be a huge benefit for Europe and the United States in its conflict with Russia. It would also help curb the current worldwide inflation not only by reducing the price of oil but by opening Iran with 84 million people to the world market.
Q: The Ukraine war reminds us of other wars in the region like the war on Yemen. What can we learn when we see different approaches to these wars?
A: Unfortunately, Europeans and Americans are viewing the Ukrainian situation more favorably for aid and assistance than Yemen or Afghanistan. Some claim that this is due to the inherent racist or Islamophobic tendencies in Europe and the United States. There is no question that Ukraine is seen as White and Christian (President Zelensky is, however, the only international Jewish head of state outside of Israel). And that seems to be a factor in driving aid to Ukraine as opposed to other countries where help is needed.
West views Ukraine more favorably than Yemen: academic
By Mohammad Mazhari
International
March 7, 2022 - 15:23
THRAN – An American academic says that Western powers regard the Ukraine crisis more favorably for assistance than Yemen or Afghanistan.
“Unfortunately, Europeans and Americans are viewing the Ukrainian situation more favorably for aid and assistance than Yemen or Afghanistan,” William O. Beeman tells the Tehran Times.
“Some claim that this is due to the inherent racist or Islamophobic tendencies in Europe and the United States. There is no question that Ukraine is seen as White and Christian (President Zelensky is, however, the only international Jewish head of state outside of Israel),” Beeman adds.
Following is the text of the interview:
Q: Some political pundits like John Mearsheimer believe that Ukraine could be neutral and get rid of the West-Russia competition. But what happened is that Ukraine entered the competition. What is your comment?
A: It appears to be too late for Ukraine to remain both neutral and independent of the Russia-Euro American competition. Zelensky has already asked the EU for membership and has requested NATO membership. The only thing that Putin would accept is for Zelensky to be removed and some pro-Moscow puppet be put in his place, as in Belarus. Putin wants to recreate the Russian Empire, and "unite all Slavic people." His position is that Ukraine is a "fake country" created by Lenin/Stalin and is really part of Greater Russia. And as for neutrality, with even perpetually neutral Finland and Sweden now considering joining NATO, that ship has sailed.
Q: How do you see reactions of the American public to the Ukraine war? Apparently, some Republicans, particularly Trump, praise Putin.
A: Part of the American public listens to former president Trump and right-wing media such as Fox News. Commentator Tucker Carlson has been rooting for Russia, and there is a segment of the American population that follows this line of thinking without much real examination of the issues. However, recent polls show that more than 80% of the American public does not support Putin's actions, and many say they would be willing to pay more for energy if it would stop Putin's invasion.
Q: What is America's record when we talk about respecting sovereignty?
Is there a good invasion and a bad invasion? For example, when America invades Iraq it is reasonable but when other countries do the same thing it is a violation of international law?
A: The United States has a terrible record when it comes to honoring the sovereignty of other nations. Over decades the United States has been involved in efforts of regime change in many nations including Latin America, the Middle East (West Asia), and Southeast Asia. Many of these actions before the fall of the Soviet Union were aimed at Cold War containment of "Communism". More recently actions directed at Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria were directly aimed at regime change or regime support. So, in purely historical terms, the United States doesn't have much room to lecture other nations about the morality of hegemony.
Q: How may the Ukraine crisis affect the Vienna talks?
A: If the JCPOA is restored and sanctions against Iran are lifted-especially sanctions against oil and natural gas exports, it would greatly relieve petroleum scarcity in the world market. Iran has a large stockpile of unsold petroleum products that could be immediately released. Iran's oil export capacity could meet 1/3 of all European needs for oil. So resolving the JCPOA would be a huge benefit for Europe and the United States in its conflict with Russia. It would also help curb the current worldwide inflation not only by reducing the price of oil but by opening Iran with 84 million people to the world market.
Q: The Ukraine war reminds us of other wars in the region like the war on Yemen. What can we learn when we see different approaches to these wars?
A: Unfortunately, Europeans and Americans are viewing the Ukrainian situation more favorably for aid and assistance than Yemen or Afghanistan. Some claim that this is due to the inherent racist or Islamophobic tendencies in Europe and the United States. There is no question that Ukraine is seen as White and Christian (President Zelensky is, however, the only international Jewish head of state outside of Israel). And that seems to be a factor in driving aid to Ukraine as opposed to other countries where help is needed.
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