Garry Kasparov Quotes
Values-oriented foreign policy of the free world would be much better, supported by the self-awareness of being on the right side of history.
Kasparov, Garry. Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped. PublicAffairs, 2015.
He argued to take every statement or threat of violence against America or Americans made by a foreign leader, even if for local political purposes, as a clear and present danger that requires action, often including force to nullify that country's capability to harm America or to produce a regime change. Many point to Adolf Hitler who had, in Mein Kampf, told the world what he would try and do, and few paid any attention to him. On the other hand, when he was at his most dangerous and planning massive world aggression, his rhetoric was very moderate and peaceful. The vast majority of the foreign leaders who threaten America and her interests, never have acted on those threats. However, one danger is the incitement of others in the country or region who might become a threat to America as an individual or a non state terror group.
The meeting between Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler in September 1938 marked a marked a change in diplomacy. For one, most diplomacy in the past had been conducted through diplomats and secondly the ability to meet quickly was enhanced through advances in communication and transportation technology.
Terrorism even then put strains on traditional diplomacy where bombers would take sanctuary or raise money in countries whose diplomatic policy was opposed to terrorism of all types. At this particular time, Irish terrorists would raise money in the United States to support the terrorists bombing English targets.
Hoover was more candid that most presidents about the practical limits on the attention of the President. In Hoover’s case. The Great Depression was such a high priority that he had little time for anything else. Ironically, although Hoover was concentrating on almost nothing else, his administration was hapless in improving the economy as he was in a philosophical bind in that he was opposed in principle to doing almost anything that would help the situation. When FDR assumed the Presidency, it still took him 8 years to create a recovery and without WWII, it might have taken longer.
The US Congress passed the Magnitsky Act which allowed parties to sue in American Courts, Russian companies and individual wrongs committed against Russian Citizens in Russia. (The Russian prison system controlled by some corrupt powers in Russia had killed Magnitsky for exposing some massive corruption of some Russian officials. Although morally justified, legally the act was an interference in another nation’s internal affairs.) The Russians then banned the adoptions which actually hurt them far more than the U. S., but it was a retaliation which to maintain their dignity and sovereignty the Russians felt was necessary. It is an excellent example of the lack of predictability and reaction to various foreign policy moves. Retaliation could take any form, related or not, proportional or not, rational or not.
Garry Kimovich Kasparov is a Russian chess grandmaster, former World Chess Champion, writer, and political activist and commentator. From 1984 until his retirement in 2005, Kasparov was ranked world No. 1 for a record 255 months overall for his career. His peak rating of 2851, achieved in 1999, was the highest recorded until being surpassed by Magnus Carlsen in 2013. Kasparov also holds records for the most consecutive professional tournament victories (15) and Chess Oscars (11).
