No much. He would have to declare if conflict of interest or to IRS. But strong feeling that is not the case. Again, if evidence was there, the FBI and even Trump would be all over with the evidence. This guy, probably had no even Confidential Security Clearance (lowest one). The only thing I can think of is industrial espionage but those are brought by the injured party and goes to a normal judicial channel… nothing indicates that is the case here.

That is very hard to asses. I prefer to look it like this, what chances is that you will find a partner (like for marry to) out of 100 or so. I do believe, if given equal chance of interaction, you could find a marrying-material partner every 7 or 8 people. Now, in a world of plenty of choices, biases etc, we shuffle through hundreds of people before settling with one… and, even then, still unhappy with the choice for the people we haven gone through yet in our search. Now, that is for me… Chances is you would choose a different person out of these very same 7 to 8 people. Both chosen persons have the same chance of being equally good persons, as the non chosen ones.

You really don’t know how researches work… they get to be in multiple projects globally, specially when working in a university… that is why of the name. Besides, the US is highly sensitive with confidential information and for the most ridiculous things you need a “security clearance” that he will never get even the most basic one. Today, most on the spying is not done presentially within the target country, let alone with such a prominent position.

It is normal… first Social Media desensitizated all of us… by the masses. It is hard to prove now what is true or false… Even “sensible Governments”, left and right are applying techniques that Trump popularized… Look at the EU today! Add that to a fragile real economy (not what you see in the stock market) so everyone is afraid of a bold move and being written into a black list. I used to have a professor in that showed us documents (from FOIA) how, in the 80s, the FBI contacted his employers after his interviews no to hire him because his Communist ideas… Today you would not even get FOIA on that. Imagine now with the technology how a government hostile to you can ruin your life. The best way to survive, put your head down and go as unnoticed as possible.

Thanks for the article! Yes, South America is not free from this. One thing I have learned in my life is that how similar people we are everywhere… only circumstances make us seem different. Long gone are my admiration for Scandinavians! What most South America seems however (specially if a sizeable country), is distant enough from China, US and Russia to be easily dragged along in a conflict… and also their governments are weak enough to implement a global draft for instance.

China, for sure, has spies,… who doesn’t. But the overwhelming majority of these cases tend to be non factual. Causes like fearmongering, departmental rivalries, someone wanted a medal, gathering prisoners for exchange, setting example, etc… are usually what is behind this. If I were a Chinese researcher, no matter the area of expertise, I would leave the US… and this is not Trump! This is the current US policy that all sides subscribe to.

I hear you! That is why I wanted to go with the definition of Fascism, but you are right. Let me rephrase it; If the world continues the path it is going, countries like Mexico seems to be a great bet to move in if you come with some good financial resources since you can compliment’s government security with private methods ones (like a gated community). Mexico will likely be neutral in a global conflict. Likewise, Spain seems good because I don’t see Spaniards been dragged by Brussels into any global conflict and if their American bases there get attacked, I see most people just ask to withdraw from NATO before entering in conflict themselves. Morocco, in spite I despise what they do to West Sahara’s (in tents for 40 years) and its coziness with Israel, it is quite stable too… If Morocco leadership (and Spanish!) could only see how greatly they could benefit from the current situation if they both acted like Mexico… being neutral and be a beacon for skilled/affluent migrants and investment!

I find it pathetic. If politicians wanted to stop these violation they could. If I have a restaurant in town and the antitrust penalties is, by law, a maximum of 10% of my profits… considering a court ruling takes some 5-7 years that is an actual some 2% fine. What incentive is that from me to get rid of all my competition in town!? I would not stop my illegal practices even if fines where 10 times that!!

If we take its actual definition; far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist, countries like Cuba for sure fits the bill. Now Cuba is authoritarian (and normal since they are in permanent and genuine threat from its neighbor) and probably that is not what is in your mind. Latin America is, as many as you pointed out, no ideal… but most countries there at least lacks of a strong government to enforce things (for better or worse) so, in a turbulent world, it is indeed a better bet. I think, for the time being, Spain has proven to be resilient to authoritarianism and even the voters of “extreme” parties are not that extreme themselves! In Latin America, Mexico is proven to have an amazing leadership (today, I consider it the best worldwide) so unlikely to change overnight. Colombia, Chile and Uruguay seems promising too.