In the Media

Op-Eds from Confluence International Founder and Managing Director John Marks
(These writings do not reflect the position of Confluence International)

The Republican center could be making a comeback

BY JOHN MARKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
THE HILL, WASHINGTON, DC
NOVEMBER 23, 2022

Fifty years ago, I was an executive assistant to Sen. Clifford Case (R-N.J.). Case was a leading member of a breed of legislators that has since become nearly extinct — the moderate to liberal Republican.  

Back in those days, every Wednesday that the Senate was in session, Case would have lunch to plan strategy with a small group of similarly minded Republicans, including Jacob Javits (N.Y.), Edward Brooke (Mass.) and Charles “Mac” Matthias (Md.). 

In a signature declaration, Case stated, ”I am a Republican, and I believe in the Republican Party. But I have my own convictions as to what the Republican Party should stand for, and I intend to fight for them as hard as I can. And I will not be driven away from my Republicanism simply because some Democrats happen to agree with me on certain issues — and some Republicans don’t.” 

The US and China should prioritize peace over Taiwan

BY JOHN MARKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
THE HILL, WASHINGTON, DC
AUGUST 3, 2022

In 1987, I wrote an op-ed article for the Los Angeles Times about the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union over the Star Wars missile system. The year before, disagreement on Star Wars had caused the breakup of the Reykjavik summit between Presidents Gorbachev and Reagan, after both leaders had been unwilling to give ground. Yet, at their next summit in Washington, the two presidents set aside that disagreement and signed an important arms control treaty that eliminated intermediate-range nuclear forces.   

Reagan and Gorbachev had removed Star Wars from the forefront, where it had been at Reykjavik, and placed it on their back burners. I called this technique “Taiwanization”…

Like it or not, ending war in Ukraine requires a compromise with Russia

BY JOHN MARKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
THE HILL, WASHINGTON, DC
APRIL 1, 2022

Last week, I wrote that there is an overwhelming need for Ukraine and Russia to compromise to stop the appalling death and devastation that has resulted from their war. I pointed out that compromise would not satisfy hardliners because it would require both sides to forego their maximum demands. Still, short of a victory that neither Russia nor Ukraine has the wherewithal to achieve, compromise is the only way to stop the fighting.

While there were positive reactions, there was also opposition.  I believe it would be instructive to look at the objections and move forward from there.

A realistic path towards peace for Ukraine and Russia

BY JOHN MARKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
THE HILL, WASHINGTON, DC
MARCH 22, 2022

The courage and eloquence of Volodymyr Zelensky and the bravery of the Ukrainian people have been inspiring. At the same time, the carnage in Ukraine has been awful, and it will almost certainly get worse, as long as events continue on their current trajectory. 

Neither the Russians nor the Ukrainians seem to possess the overwhelming power needed to achieve victory. So, if the fighting persists, the result is likely to be a long-term stalemate. Without assigning cause or blame, it would appear that both sides are now involved in a lose-lose struggle.  

Could Russia's moves help to repair US-China relations?

BY JOHN MARKS, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR
THE HILL, WASHINGTON, DC
MARCH 14, 2022

Four days after Russia invaded Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that his country was willing to work with the U.S. on President Biden’s Build Back Better World Partnership. At the same time, he said that China would welcome American participation in its Belt & Road program.   

Both these initiatives seek to strengthen the world’s infrastructure, and both have been designed to win international favor at the expense of the other country. Thus, if the U.S. and China were now to combine forces, it would represent a fundamental shift — one that could benefit millions who suffer due to deficient infrastructure.