Christopher Hitchens

Christopher Eric Hitchens (born April 13, 1949) is a British journalist, author, and literary critic. He lives in Washington, DC, and has been a columnist at Vanity Fair, The Nation, Slate, and an occasional contributor to many other publications.

Key points

Hitchens has taken a stance on many issues throughout his career as a contrarian. Whilst he may not deliberately court controversy, he finds contention agreeable nonetheless. Listed below are some of the key stances he has taken throughout his career, and his reasons for these stances. Unless stated otherwise, his views on these issues have remained consistent throughout his career.

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Trotsky

Favored Trotsky and Trotskyism as a broadside against Stalinism and the capitalist West, in particular both sides' support for nuclear weapons. Hitchens regarded this as the compulsory enlistment of civilians in a nuclear war, and as such a violation of individual sovereignty.

Related Topics:
Trotsky - Trotskyism - Stalinism

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Vietnam

He regarded America?s intervention (and that of its allies) in Vietnam as a shameful continuation of European colonialism, betraying the enlightenment principles of liberal democracy and human emancipation. Today, he also regards it as a betrayal of the American Revolution.

Related Topics:
Colonialism - American Revolution

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Israel-Palestine

He regards this as another example of colonialism, and an unjustifiable occupation by Israel of another people.

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Mother Teresa

In 1992, Hitchens wrote an article for the US left-wing journal, The Nation, in which he called Mother Teresa "The Ghoul of Calcutta". He later produced a television documentary on the subject and expanded his criticisim in a 1995 book, The Missionary Position. He despised the unquestioning adoration of the vast majority of western commentators. His particular points were her lack of treatment for people—particularly children—placed in her care; her strong religious views on contraception, abortion (which she described as ?the biggest threat to world peace?) and her ?acceptance? of poverty. Also, the pursuit and acceptance of donations from third world dictators and the allocation of these donations away from treatment and towards furthering her theistic views. Journalist Brent Bozell calls Hitchens a "notoriously vicious anti-Catholic..."

Related Topics:
The Nation - Mother Teresa - Contraception - Abortion - Brent Bozell

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Yugoslavia

Hitchens argued that the choice in Yugoslavia was between a multi-ethnic plural democracy in Bosnia and the fascistic, religiously inspired ethno-cleansing driven by Slobodan Milosevic. He argued that defending multi-ethnic democracy was morally essential and of far greater importance than any leftish concerns about a ?new imperialism?.

Related Topics:
Yugoslavia - Bosnia - Slobodan Milosevic

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Iraq

Hitchens regarded Operation Iraqi Freedom as a conflict between secular democracy and theocratic fascism. He also argued that it was a moral necessity to support Iraqi and Kurdish left-wing secularists. He drew parallels with the left's response to the Spanish Civil War and argued that neutrality was not an option. In his view, the anti-war left has abandoned the principles of secularism, liberal democracy, and feminism by allying themselves with the ?insurgents? who despise these key principles. Hitchens has written a number of articles praising the secular Iraqi politician Ahmed Chalabi.

Related Topics:
Operation Iraqi Freedom - Iraq - Kurd - Spanish Civil War - Ahmed Chalabi

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Today, Hitchens regards himself as a ?single issue voter?, concerning himself almost exclusively with what he sees as the battle between the forces of secular democracy and those of theocratic fascism. He comments only infrequently on domestic affairs in the United States, and when he does so it is usually to attack religion.

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Despite his flirtation with neoconservatism, Hitchens is sometimes seen as part of the self-styled "pro-liberation left", comprising left wingers who supported Operation Iraqi Freedom. This informal grouping includes Nick Cohen, David Aaronovitch, and the bloggers at Harry's Place.

Related Topics:
Nick Cohen - David Aaronovitch - Harry's Place

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