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citizen diplomacy

Will Russian Diplomats Resign In Opposition To The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine?

Nineteen years ago, in March 2003, I resigned as a U.S. diplomat in opposition to the President Bush’s decision to invade Iraq.  I joined two other U.S diplomats, Brady Kiesling and John Brown, who had resigned in weeks previous to my resignation.  We heard from fellow U.S. diplomats assigned to U.S. embassies around the world that they too believed that the decision of the Bush administration would have long term negative consequences for the U.S. and the world, but for a variety of reasons, no one joined us in resignation until later.  Several initial critics of our resignations later told us they were wrong and they agreed that the decision of the U.S. government to wage war on Iraq was disastrous.

Challenging Times For Citizen To Citizen Diplomacy In Russia

Whenever you go to one of the countries the U.S. considers its “enemy,” you can be sure to get a lot of flak.  This year I have been to Iran, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Russia, four of the many countries upon which the U.S. has put strong sanctions for a variety of reasons, most of which have to do with the countries refusing to allow the U.S. to dictate political, economic and security issues. (For the record, I was in North Korea in 2015; I haven’t been to Venezuela yet, but intend to go soon.) Many, especially family, have asked, “why do you go to these countries,” including the FBI officials who met me and CODEPINK: Women for Peace co-founder Medea Benjamin at Dulles Airport upon our return from Iran in February 2019. The two young FBI officers asked if I knew there were U.S. sanctions on Iran for support for terrorist groups. 

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Due to the attacks on our fiscal sponsor, we were unable to raise funds online for nearly two years.  As the bills pile up, your help is needed now to cover the monthly costs of operating Popular Resistance.

Urgent End Of Year Fundraising Campaign

Online donations are back! 

Keep independent media alive. 

Due to the attacks on our fiscal sponsor, we were unable to raise funds online for nearly two years.  As the bills pile up, your help is needed now to cover the monthly costs of operating Popular Resistance.

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