In this blog I write about world affairs, presenting a view of the world free from NATO propaganda.
Peace Anthropology and Development Anthropology and History are the tools with which I analyze international affairs, as part of a world-wide web of people working for peace through Transcend, UNIDIR and other agencies. Terrorism? This is largely political propaganda: my EPES Mandala Consulting group specialized in “terrorism” and far more people die each year from road accidents or from the flu, than from terror attacks. A lot of news is fear-mongering and most comes from a small number of corporate and government sources. Investigative journalists are a threatened species.
“I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.”
This book tells the story of removing firearms and explosives from Cambodia, a peaceful and neutral country destroyed by the USA's war in Vietnam. NATO Member States have sown war and misery in so many places; and yet USA and Britain, France and others claim to love peace.
Read MoreHonoring my dear friend General Hendrik van der Graaf.
General Henny created and perfected a system of persuading people with firearms to adopt micro-disarmament in exchange for peace and development. General Henny, former member of the Board of UNIDIR – the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research in Geneva - died March 10th 2021 at the age of 88, in his hometown of Eindhoven.
Read MoreThe Trailblazer concept was born to inspire a new generation of advocacy. Made by artisans from aluminum bomb shrapnel and other materials safely collected in Laos with the assistance of demining teams, this unique bangle tells the story of decades of history, healing, and hope — the pillars upon which Legacies of War’s mission is constructed.
Read MorePeace proved to be Possible, even after thirty years of Cambodian Civil War. As proponents of Peace Journalism in a world of wars and conflicts, a conflict resolution and disarmament success story is a precious commodity. Cambodia at the turn of the Millennium provided such a story.
Read MoreIt is 40 years since President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing created UNIDIR. I work for peace, and I worked for one of my favourite peace organizations: UNIDIR in Geneva, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.
Read MoreIn this book I am telling the story how we disarmed the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia using wit, bluff, and balloons. A fascinating story and a good read for lay-persons and experts alike; the book includes detailed advice for peace practitioners and disarmament experts.
Read MoreThere is a general rule that, “Every illegal weapons began life as a legal weapon.” The main source of illegal weapons is government stockpiles: ‘leakage’ is the accepted euphemism, and it covers disappearances by theft (large-scale or individual pilfering), illegal sale across frontiers, diversion of legal imports to covert destinations, and even renting out government rifles for hunting or criminal use.
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