Washington, D.C., June 16, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply alarmed by reports that Australian writer Alistair Kitchen was denied entry into the United States after border officials at the Los Angeles International Airport searched his phone and questioned him about his views on the Israel-Gaza war. “Alistair Kitchen’s deportation is a clear case of retaliation...
He’s the first successful example of a fascist takeover
Milei beat Trump by months. Bolsonaro and Bukele beat him by years. The Philippines has been changing hands between the fascist Macro and Duterte families for over a decade. Then you’ve got the ascension of MBS in the Kingdom of Saud, Netanyahu in Israel, and el-Sisi in Egypt. All of them fall comfortably within the fascist spectrum. All of them have consolidated power and forced out opposition groups at gunpoint. MBS straight up dismembered several of his rivals with bone saws, ffs.
Hell, if I was going to point to anyone as a clear front-runner in fascist takeover, I’d be more inclined to point to Vladimir Putin of Russia. After assuming the Presidency in 2000, he spent his first two terms consolidating the fractured authority of the former Soviet government into a modern, fully compliant ethno-nationalist aligned mafia state.
I might have pointed to George Bush Jr, if he hadn’t fumbled the bag in 2005 and allowed insurgents in his own party to spoil his attempt at a Permanent Republican Majority by turning on him over immigration reform. Trump was hella-late to the party. He couldn’t even go full fash on his first turn in the office.
All of them have consolidated power and forced out opposition groups at gunpoint. MBS straight up dismembered several of his rivals with bone saws, ffs.
That’s authoritarianism, not necessarily fascism. Fascism is a subset of rightwing authoritarianism characterized by, among other things, the authoritarian leader enacting escalating persecution of an increasing number of people to back up their fascist rhetoric.
Hell, if I was going to point to anyone as a clear front-runner in fascist takeover, I’d be more inclined to point to Vladimir Putin of Russia.
That’s fair, but I wouldn’t describe Putin as fully fascist. He’s more of a proto-fascist rightwing authoritarian, though his conduct in Ukraine is certainly cutting it close. What make me hesitant to call him a fascist is that, after he completed his takeover, he didn’t make up crises and go after minorities to keep power like the original fascists. Compare with Trump’s treatment of immigrants and you’ll see what I mean. I’d have no problem saying rhat Trump is this generation’s Hitler, while for example Putin doesn’t really fit.
Fascism is a subset of rightwing authoritarianism characterized by, among other things, the authoritarian leader enacting escalating persecution of an increasing number of people to back up their fascist rhetoric.
What make me hesitant to call him a fascist is that, after he completed his takeover, he didn’t make up crises and go after minorities to keep power
He absolutely did. That was what the entire Chechnyan War was about. Plus his embrace of ethnic Russian social identity, which was the cause belli of the Donbas invasion. Also, the party’s pogrom against Muslims and the LGBTQ community.
Compare with Trump’s treatment of immigrants and you’ll see what I mean.
I mean they’re the first 21st century fascists. That’s certainly exceptional.
Hardly the first. Just the loudest.
He’s the first successful example of a fascist takeover, is what I meant.
Milei beat Trump by months. Bolsonaro and Bukele beat him by years. The Philippines has been changing hands between the fascist Macro and Duterte families for over a decade. Then you’ve got the ascension of MBS in the Kingdom of Saud, Netanyahu in Israel, and el-Sisi in Egypt. All of them fall comfortably within the fascist spectrum. All of them have consolidated power and forced out opposition groups at gunpoint. MBS straight up dismembered several of his rivals with bone saws, ffs.
Hell, if I was going to point to anyone as a clear front-runner in fascist takeover, I’d be more inclined to point to Vladimir Putin of Russia. After assuming the Presidency in 2000, he spent his first two terms consolidating the fractured authority of the former Soviet government into a modern, fully compliant ethno-nationalist aligned mafia state.
I might have pointed to George Bush Jr, if he hadn’t fumbled the bag in 2005 and allowed insurgents in his own party to spoil his attempt at a Permanent Republican Majority by turning on him over immigration reform. Trump was hella-late to the party. He couldn’t even go full fash on his first turn in the office.
That’s authoritarianism, not necessarily fascism. Fascism is a subset of rightwing authoritarianism characterized by, among other things, the authoritarian leader enacting escalating persecution of an increasing number of people to back up their fascist rhetoric.
That’s fair, but I wouldn’t describe Putin as fully fascist. He’s more of a proto-fascist rightwing authoritarian, though his conduct in Ukraine is certainly cutting it close. What make me hesitant to call him a fascist is that, after he completed his takeover, he didn’t make up crises and go after minorities to keep power like the original fascists. Compare with Trump’s treatment of immigrants and you’ll see what I mean. I’d have no problem saying rhat Trump is this generation’s Hitler, while for example Putin doesn’t really fit.
Saudi authorities have permitted the use of lethal force to clear land for a futuristic desert city being built by dozens of Western companies, an ex-intelligence officer has told the BBC.
He absolutely did. That was what the entire Chechnyan War was about. Plus his embrace of ethnic Russian social identity, which was the cause belli of the Donbas invasion. Also, the party’s pogrom against Muslims and the LGBTQ community.
Xenophobic Crackdown on Central Asian Migrants. Harassment, Violence, New Restrictions Since Crocus Concert Hall Attack