One key NPP leader joins BJP ::::: Why Conrad Sangma is going the Neiphiu Rio way ?? :::: Numbers count .... :::: The real fable is "Hamam mein sab ..... taking bath" ::: All eyes on 2028 ... will BJP unseat Rio and Conrad ???

In an interesting development, Kitborlang Giri Jarain, the North Shillong President of the National People's Youth Front (NPYF), resigned from the Conrad Sangma-led NPP citing personal reasons and joined the BJP in Meghalaya on October 22, 2026. 

He was formally inducted in Shillong by state BJP chief spokesman Mariahom Kharkrang. This transition aligns with broader political shifts in the state, such as UDP MLAs merging with the BJP amid changing dynamics within the ruling MDA coalition.

Three United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators — Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh have submitted their merger application to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, seeking to join the Meghalaya's ruling party National People’s Party (NPP). 

The move reduces the UDP’s strength in the 60-member House to a single MLA.  This regional outfit (UDP) had won as many as 12 seats in 2023 and  is now left with a sole member. 

Eight MLAs earlier joined BJP. For Meghalaya chief minister and NPP boss, Conrad Sangma - this defection game has a minor twist in the tale. 

Conrad --- taking 'key political lessons' from Naga CM Rio 

In Nagaland -- all his five MLAs - were encouraged by his dad's friend Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to embrace NPF. 

Subject to formal recognition by the Speaker, the NPP’s strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly would rise to 36.  

The UDP on Monday expelled the three legislators just hours before they submitted their merger letter to the Assembly Speaker.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the UDP State Parliamentary Board at the party office on Monday afternoon. In a letter addressed to the three, party president Metbah Lyngdoh said their decision to join the NPP was evident from local news reports.

Phek district : Rural Nagaland 

The National People's Party (NPP) and the BJP fought fiercely against each other in 2023 Meghalaya polls. The Lotus party even labelled 'corruption charges' against the Conrad Sangma-government. In fact, the alliance started in 2018.

The BJP won only two seats in both 2018 and 2023 polls. The saffron party maintains that it continues to "share alliance" with NPP in ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government led by Conrad Sangma.

Even as both the parties maintain that their coalition is intact; there are chance the BJP will try to topple Conrad before 2028 March assembly elections.  

In Nagaland, the BJP favours giving free hand to the Rio-led NPF even as the utmost desire for an early solution to the Naga insurgency still remains a far cry. 

Lately, former Nagaland chief minister S C Jamir met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and complained about non-performance of the Rio-led NPF-BJP dispensation.  The episode created ripples in Nagaland politics. 

In 2018 as well as in 2023; the BJP settled to contest only 20 seats and left 40 for the NDPP - which was headed by Rio. 

In 2025, in a dramatic turn of events - Rio-led NDPP merged with the NPF - which had only 2 (two) legislators. Subsequently, Rio took over as the NPF president.

In July this year, even a small party named the Rising People's Party (RPP), which showed lot of promise by exposing Rio regime's failures, has merged with the NPF.

There is no opposition in the Nagaland legislature as Rio heads a 'so-called' opposition-less dispensation. 

Even Congress, which could have tried to take on the Rio regime, generally takes up softer issues and at times even Rio-friendly matters for public consumption. 

This image reflects 'apathy and underdevelopment' story of Eastern Nagaland

Prominent local eastern Nagaland leader Nyamnyei Konyak, who was president of NPP in Nagaland, also joined NPF earlier October. 

ends 

Tripura Police in Delhi to take custody of social media influencer Amir Shokeen ::::: Racial abuse video row ::::: In 2007 Delhi police 'was different' and gave tips on how North East students should behave in national capital

Delhi police ... with you, for you always. Now in action.

 

The First Information Report (FIR) was registered by Delhi Police at the Sadar Bazar police station under Sections 192, 196, 352, and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). 

Influencer Amir Shokeen’s location was traced to Shahdara on Thursday (Oct 22) afternoon. 

Officials said that he had been continuously changing his location. 

On Wednesday evening, Sadar Bazar Police arrested the influencer from Karol Bagh area with the help of technical surveillance.

A team of Tripura Police reached Delhi to take custody of social media influencer Amir Shokeen, who was arrested by Delhi Police from the national capital’s Karol Bagh area in connection with an alleged incident of racial harassment and humiliation of an individual from Tripura, depicted in a video circulating on social media.

Delhi police said that he had been hiding at a relative’s house. 

Meanwhile, a team of the Tripura Police, who had already registered a case against Amir Shokeen, have reached Delhi. 

To obtain his transit remand, the police will produce Shokeen before a court. 

He made the controversial video about a month ago. 

Earlier, Shokeen apologised after the offensive video surfaced on social media and earned him major backlash.

Shokeen claimed that the video was scripted and that the man featured in it was known to him. He said the man had previously worked at a friend’s cafe in Ahmedabad and described the exchange as a humorous video in which both people were joking.   

It was a different Delhi exactly 19 years back.

In 2007, West Delhi police 'was different' and gave tips on how North East students should behave in national capital  

A booklet titled "Security Tips for North East Students/Visitors" was published by West Delhi cops. The booklet contained 'tips' on traveling in Delhi. It advised among other things to avoid "revealing clothes". 

That was Congress era and many people have memory problems. 

Students and citizens I spoke to had complained that the Delhi police conduct was "medieval". Some of them remembered what a Maharashtrian IAS officer (a former chief secretary of Nagaland) - A M Gokhale used to say: 

"New Delhi still thinks and behaves like Aurangzeb's Delhi".  

My report in 'The Statesman' on the subject in 2008 

Step out of our social boundaries and we find for northeastern people - nothing much has changed in the national capital and the adjoining region - fondly called 'NCR'. 

An office goer - who studied in Delhi - said : "I come from Mizoram .... People would often ask us whether we will cook beef and pork... or even whether we will take dry fish which throws up aroma on Tuesdays or some festival days".   

Essentially, the moot point is - social discrimination continues. 

The manual of West Delhi cops in 2007 had said --- ** Avoid lonely road/bylane when dressed scantily.  *

* For Help, Dial 100 and always carry pepper spray 

** For Dating - Go to decent places 

**** Food  -- Bamboo shoot and other smelly dishes should be prepared without creating ruckus in neighbourhood.   

Who'll Bell the Cat ?

A few years I interacted with a group of Naga students on these matters. One of them told me : "We may want to stay in big cities ... but our insurgency and other related issues haunt us even if our family could be miles away from all that. We are often suspected of being involved with militant groups and worse, even drug addicts and peddlars".  For the ladies - the stories and tales of 'experience' are only worse. 

In fact, a Bollywood film starred among others by Amitabh Bachhan shows a 'Delhi wallah youngster' telling a court -- "What do I do, this girl is from Meghalaya. They are like this".  

The story in the film 'Pink' (2016) revolves around molestation of four young working girls in Delhi. 

Years back a significant recommendation was made by the Sachar Committee calling for a need to 'broad base' the institutional support to India’s diverse population going beyond religion, caste and ethnic identities.  To operationalise this, the committee recommended an equal opportunity commission. Actually nothing much moved on that. 

But no law or commission can resolve these problems. It's in people's mind and habit.  

ends 

What's "Self Reliance" in Security for Gulf, Europe and even Asian nations ? -- It means America is changing --- and these countries need to look out for themselves

 America's grip is weakening. There are multiple factors for that. "America as the guarantor to the world, it is no longer there," said Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Turkey. Importantly, he is also Donald Trump's special envoy for Syria and Iraq.

The United States is moving away from its 'traditional' security-for-oil relationship with the Middle East and no longer seeks to dominate the region, he emphasised. However, he sought to clarify that what is happening is "not abandonment" but definitely a "message for realignment". “The US no longer wants to own ...The bargain is not to control, but to not leave. We’re not leaving.”  

Barrack also questioned the effectiveness of previous interventions, saying that the US had been involved in ”23 regime changes” across the wider Middle East.

“Every time we try and intervene, change the person or the regime, it seems to have been a mistake,” he said.

His comments come as Washington and Tehran try to negotiate an end to the US-Israeli war on Iran that has destabilised the region and disrupted global energy supplies. Analyst Luciano Zaccara described Barrack as probably “the most realistic of Trump’s allies” in his assessment of US involvement in the Middle East. Barrack also said that the war launched by Israel and the US in February 2026 brought unexpected consequences. He said there are lessons to be learnt and there are limits to US power.  

This means Barrack has "effectively acknowledged" that regime change, one of Trump’s stated objectives in the war on Iran, was unlikely to succeed.  

There is yet another 'plan' for an Iran-US deal. This move envisages reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear negotiations in exchange for US concessions, including lifting the naval blockade on Iranian ports.

There are also possibilities of easing economic sanctions on Tehran.

Analyst Negar Mortazavi said the diplomatic door remained open, but negotiations were stalled over the terms and sequencing of an agreement. “Tehran wants to end the war, but it is not prepared to surrender under military or economic pressure,” she told Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the forum in Doha.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a major flashpoint, with attacks on commercial shipping raising concerns over global energy supplies. Before the US-Israeli war on Iran, one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies transited through the strait.

The escalation was part of Tehran’s strategy to maintain leverage against Washington despite its military disadvantages. Iran’s leverage has diminished but has not disappeared.

According to Mortazavi, Tehran wants to increase the economic and political costs of the war for Trump, while signalling to future US administrations that military action against Iran carries consequences.  

Blogger 

But there are ifs and buts. 

Gulf countries are looking nervously at Saudi Arabia, where missile and drone attacks by Houthi militants have damaged energy facilities and the international airport in capital Riyadh.  However, the US does not mind "smaller and more diversified alliances" in the Gulf like the new defence pact between Saudis, Pakistanis and the leadership in Turkey.  

There is also a significant element of lack of understanding. The US has not simply seen where the things would ultimately go yet. But there is yet another perspective. Under Trump - there is always a confused and mixed signals. 

These do not auger well for the world. Worse, they have hit US credibility either. 

At the end of the US has remained 'weak and even insufficient'; but it is a fact of life that the Americans will remain highly involved and influential in the region.  

Nevertheless, the continued escalation posed serious risks to Iran as well as the wider region.  

The 8th edition of the Global Security Forum 2026 concluded in Doha on Wednesday after three days of discussions under the theme “Future of Alliances.”

The forum brought together senior officials and prominent figures from more than 100 countries to discuss the future of alliances and collective security amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

The final day featured high-level dialogues on changes in the international security landscape, the implications of conflicts involving Ukraine and Iran, security developments in Africa, and the role of technology and non-state actors in shaping emerging security threats.

Discussions also addressed cooperation and intelligence sharing, the security challenges posed by drones, the use of artificial intelligence in preventing and combating terrorism, and the future of alliances amid diverging political positions.

ends 

Modi knows when to take on Rahul Gandhi and how !! Amid row over 'Vietnam visit' and repeated attempts to unleash 'anarchy'; PM says - "When the entire world is in search of a new order, some people are dreaming of disorder in India" :::: "Today's challenge is emergence of a new global order and also how to build an order"

"Congress has become 'par-jibi (parasites)".

 "When the entire world is in search of a new order, some people are dreaming of disorder in India", - PM Narendra Modi said at the NDTV World Summit. 

These people go abroad and defame India. They ask foreigners to intervene," Namo said.  

"Today, when there is so much disorder in the world, a strong picture of India should be presented to the world, but these people are interested only in ruining the reputation of the country, the Prime Minister said.  Modi launched a sharp attack on the Congress and said that the principal opposition party was putting national interests at risk in its repeated attempts to 'launch' its "failed" leader, Rahul Gandhi.  

Without naming Rahul Gandhi, the Prime Minister questioned how long the Congress would continue its efforts to establish its leader, using a comparison with repeated launch attempts to ridicule the party's political strategy. 

"I don't know how long the Congress will continue to put the country at stake for the launch of its failed product. 

(The Satish Dhawan Space Centre at) Sriharikota does not see as many launches as the Congress tries, unsuccessfully, to launch its leader in a year," he quipped.  

"Protests that naturally seek to highlight the shortcomings of the government, that genuinely aim to improve the system, which is essential for a healthy democracy, are also destroyed by the Congress," Modi pointed out.

"The Congress has become a "par-jibi (parasite)" that refuses to let anyone else progress. 

"Dimagi Naxals have taken such a 'kabzaa (firm grip) on the Congress’s mindset that the party has lost its own capacity to think...". 

Video link

Modi said:

"This family of the Congress has become a burden on its own party. 

Even the senior figures in the party understand this; when we meet in private, they even tell us so. 

"But, swallowing the bitter pill of humiliation, they remain silent. This attitude of the Congress also harms the honest critics of the government and in a democracy, this is a heavy price to pay". 

"Honest critics suffer greatly because of this. The voices of those honest critics who genuinely care for the well-being of our democracy and the nation, and who, despite being staunch opponents of the government, seek to contribute, are left with no opportunity to be heard amidst the Congress’s constant shouting and uproar." 

"We have witnessed this in Parliament...".  

He further said: "...In a single year, there are fewer launches from our space centre at Sriharikota than the number of failed attempts the Congress makes to launch its leader."

"While the world is searching for a new order, some people are dreaming of disorder for India. These individuals are bent on tarnishing India’s reputation. They travel abroad to defame the nation and plead with foreigners to intervene in our affairs". 

"One wonders how much longer the Congress party will continue to put the nation at stake in its persistent attempts to launch its failed product," Modi said.

. In a single year, there are fewer launches from our space centre at Sriharikota than the number of failed attempts the Congress makes to launch its leader. 

The Congress is free to bring about its own ruin, that is of no concern to us. 

"But, in a desperate bid to shield their own family from the stain of constant failure, the Congress is now casting doubt on India’s achievements, its virtues and its progress," he said.   

PM also said:

"New powers are emerging, new voices are demanding their place, and new challenges are calling for new solutions. 

"When the realities of the world change but the way decisions are made remains the same, the gap between the global system and reality begins to widen. 

"This is what we are witnessing today. Trade is becoming a tool of weaponisation. Technology is emerging as a new arena for competition and conflict, while sea routes are becoming centres of geopolitical tensions." 

He added: "Therefore, today's challenge is not merely the emergence of a new global order, but how to build an order that accommodates changing realities, makes global institutions more effective, and strengthens cooperation among nations...".

ends 

Meetings on .... a number of them ::: "Govind Mohan-appointed interlocutor" Lal lands in Dimapur ::: Who wins ? ::: Flag and Naga Constitution "na pabo" :::

This is a different era. An era of Progressive International. They were alleged to be involved in the mayhem in France and series of protests in India. Connect the dots... 

You all must have been already doing so. Another round of 'connect the dots ...' is crucial. In Nagaland context - its called Naga Peace talks.

Supposedly the 'interlocutor' Ajit Lal, who replaced A K Mishra - who was not an interlocutor' - has started meeting stakeholders. Who wins?  The Hebron-friendly Kohima and the Kohima-friendly Hebron camps ? 

The so-called new interlocutor will have similar and even more power than a former interlocutor named R N Ravi. The present West Bengal Governor - was shunted out of Kohima due to sustained campaign and those who matter in Northern Angami hills claimed (in a Delhi meet) that replacing of Governor was an "achievement".  

S C Jamir and R N Ravi : Think Alike .... for Solution and Peace 

So is Ajit Lal now empowered to hand over Flag and Constitution ? 

What's the new drama is telling us is - the title is "Face Saving" - script by Cock and Bull story tellers. We do not mind. 

Englishmen had done a wonderful service to their language by coining a phrase 'Cock and Bull story'. The Cock is also NPF symbol and it is still busy with the rhetoric of the past. =  Honourable, Acceptable !! 

'Thanks to Time space'  -- the word Honourable has gone for a picnic. 

First credit for this should go to the Ao Senden. The 'unthinkable' happened when two protagonists had to retract their words about a man called - S C Jamir. 

The profile of  S C Jamir in the context of this blog - includes two points - a former mentor-turned-political rival of chief minister Neiphiu Rio and 

secondly -- a permanent critic, detractor and rival of NSCN-IM since early 1990s. 

One recalls the lovely days of the past when 'press releases' would reach newspaper office desks on daily basis. 

Mr Ajit Lal must be smart enough to understand the 'real time' messages from groundzero. Who is growingly over confident or who is nervous ? 

In film 'Sholay' - Thakur deputes Veeru and Jai to attack Gabbar's camp with the one-liner -- "Loha garam hae, maar do hatoda (Nagas love English phrase - Hit it hard, the iron is hot). 

In Delhi - Mr Amit Shah may play that simple dialogue with Team Ajit Lal. And that's happening. 

Delhi is now confident and knows ... more than the mere 'hot iron'. Other weaknesses are also being understood and analysed. 

The Govt of India emissaries lately met NNPG leaders and also the NSCN-IM (Hebron) leaders. The sarkari feedback is "good meeting". Who are we to question such simple claims ? 

More interesting part of recent weeks is a meeting reportedly held at a poor man's resort. It was attended by NSCN-IM delegation and two factions of NNPG. This is somehow also challenging times for NNPGs also. They inked the Agreed Position in 2017 and now almost nine (9) years - they could not deliver much to the cadres and the people. 

Moreover, encouraged by a powerful lobby in the Status Quo club - the NNPG split in 2024 .. and the timing was curious --- just when India was busy with the season of general elections. 

Had Congress come to power in 2024 --- the entire Naga peace process would have gone the different direction !!

Hence this 'resort' meeting was desperate by all concerned. The Hebron camp delegation comprised of four individuals and was led by a senior functionary from Mao tribe. 

New Delhi has been tracking these deliberations more intensely.   

It is understood through New Delhi prism that the Hebron camp representatives have for the first time pledged to 'work harder' so that a meeting is ensured between Hebron camp top guns - people who matter -- and the two factions of NNPGs. 

There is a latent attempt of one-upmanship too and another attempt will be made to corner a 'senior NNPG functionary'. 

New Delhi has gauged this and hence 'more intense meetings' are likely sooner than later between various wings of the central Govt and key NNPG functionaries.  

In this festive season in Delhi, I interacted with a few northeast watchers. 

Theories of Half Glass - Charmed Modi in 2013-14 

One of them quoted John Adams and told me -- the quote --- “There never yet was a democracy that did not commit suicide”. 

He also added - both India is democracy and so is Nagaland.

He smiled mischievously and challenged me to throw up such an one-liner and I politely obliged him with this:  

"Elder brother or a guardian should always have the first instinct to run to his sibling's needs".  

Two 'bhais' -- in Delhi - may know the responsibilities attached to my quote. 

Team Modi and Team-Ajit Lal need to look forward. 

The equivocation: the glass is half-full or half-empty often has left many people amazed. Narendra Modi was charmed by it long back.    

ends 

“Red-green protest ecosystem" .... Sickularism trapped ! :::: Investigation claims to have uncovered links between riots in France and youth protests in India !! :::: “Global Chaos Inc Grows to 101 Groups”

A 'Fox News digital' investigation claims to have uncovered links between the riots in France and youth protests in India demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.  

The report highlights how the transnational anti-capitalist organization Progressive International (PI) explicitly grouped the ongoing demonstrations in France, Spain, India, and Albania in an October 16 briefing on its website, asking whether the “new rebellions can acquire the organised power to change the conditions that produced them?” 

In an interview with 'BreakThrough News', Singham’s wife and CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans stated: 

“I want people to look at France, Spain, and India and just say, ‘Where are we? Why are we not in the streets?"

The report also claims that “The European unrest is also receiving sympathetic amplification from a network of pro-communist organisations, including BreakThrough News, CODEPINK and Party for Socialism and Liberation, funded and supported by Neville Roy Singham, an American-born tech tycoon who lives in Shanghai.”

The Economic Times link   

The report also highlights how the transnational anti-capitalist organization Progressive International (PI) explicitly grouped the ongoing demonstrations in France, Spain, India, and Albania in an October 16 briefing on its website, asking whether the “new rebellions can acquire the organised power to change the conditions that produced them?”. 

PI stated, “These are the forces that Progressive International is working to support and connect.”  

The  report, titled “Global Chaos Inc Grows to 101 Groups”, flags the France-based group Indian Alliance Paris (IAP) for “connecting French and Indian protest messaging” and notes that it is “partnered with the People’s Forum in Manhattan”.

According to the investigation by senior editor Asra Nomani, 101 organizations across nine countries form a 

“red-green protest ecosystem”, referring to Islamist and communist groups, that are coordinating, organizing, or amplifying demonstrations across Europe within an expanding protest ecosystem.  

The BJP accused the Congress party and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of an "anarchy and regime change plot," citing the Fox News Digital investigation report claiming that 101 organisations across nine countries coordinated messaging between protests in India 

.. (such as demonstrations targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar) and riots in France and Albania.  

** The BJP specifically highlighted Progressive International (which previously met with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in April 2025 at 10 Janpath) and Indian Alliance Paris, accusing them of amplifying domestic protests and interfering in India's internal affairs.

The Lotus party leaders labeled Rahul Gandhi a "gaddar" (traitor) and accused the Congress leadership of collaborating with foreign entities to foster chaos and challenge the constitutional order.

ends 

Marco Rubio uses a dramatic backdrop to sketch a post-MAGA foreign policy :::: But he sounds confused too !! :::

"Now, much has been written and said about the influence of ancient Greece on the ideas of the American Founders .... 

Athens gave us (America) democracy.  Plato and Aristotle gave us Western philosophy.  Our ideas of law, of virtue, of citizenship, and republican government were shaped in the Greek city-states.  

Even much of our political vocabulary – words like democracy, tyranny, the word “politics” itself – found its origins here." -- said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in his speech in Greece. 

He also referred to the "fire of passion, strength, courage, pride" as the the heart of great civilization.  

"And without it?  Without it, nations lose their will to fight, the will to strive, the will to survive", he has said.  

Analysts say Rubio used a 'dramatic backdrop' to sketch a post-MAGA(Make America Great Again) foreign policy.  

Rubio depicted the West as a continuous inheritance dating from Ancient Greece to modern America, epitomizing “individuality and relentless ambition, daring exploration and invention”.

But he warned against any civilization being 'ashamed' of its achievements and embarrassed by its past. Rubio suggests the west and the US sometime lost its own confidence in own tradition and ideas.  

But does he himself sound 'confused' on what really made the west great and an 'exception'? 

We may simply observe that the western civilisation was not really based on military power. It was based on ideas. The west actually developed a new concept of democracy and with a unique set of ideas that ultimately questioned the idea of 'arbitrariness' of the power.  

"The secretary of state’s speech in Greece on Wednesday will surely reignite speculation around his future presidential intentions. It implicitly positioned him as both the heir to and the modernizer of the “America First” movement — just weeks before the 2028 race roars into life after the midterm elections," says an article in CNN.  

“We must rebuild our institutions and alliances” to face new great power rivalries and respond to a “new universe” of threats and attacks, Rubio said.

His comments also reinforced a message to decayed European militaries that the US now expects alliances to offer tangible military multipliers to Washington. 

It was a hint that while nothing will be the same after Trump, a future Republican president might still value updated transatlantic ties.  

Rubio seemed to enjoy retelling the story of a small band of Greek fighters, defending the Acropolis from Persian invaders. But that seemed theatrical during a week in which the war against Iran is not going well. 

 

The price of oil remains sky-high. This is not a war that the speech’s heroes – Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne and Hernán Cortés – would rush to claim as a conqueror’s legacy, says a report in 'The Guardian'.  

In effect, Rubio seemed to be pointing out a path that will be difficult and mostly uphill for the US’s allies. 

Perhaps again and again, Rubio wandered back to a precarious theme, that history is decided by “great men” who defy adversity and conquer lesser peoples.  

Rubio’s speech was not quite as dismissive of Europe as a previous one he gave, in February, warning of “civilizational erasure”. 

At the foot of the Acropolis, he extended an olive branch, saying: 

“We believe that Europe can awaken from its long slumber and rekindle the fire that was here millennia ago.” 

But some of the remarks by Rubio make a lot of sense for deeper analyses:

"Today, too much of the West has forgotten this quality.  

Over time, we in the West came to feel ashamed of the very things that made us exceptional.  

We felt embarrassed that our achievements set us apart from the rest of the world.  Our prosperity somehow became a source of guilt.  We no longer believed we deserved and had earned our greatness. 

The word “nationalism” became a dirty word.  

And so we tore down our monuments; we condemned our own history.  And in too many places, we taught our children to be ashamed of the countries they would inherit.  In the process, we opened our borders and outsourced our industry, and allowed our militaries to wither and to decay. "

ends