Latest news with #Wester
Observer
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Nuclear proliferation cannot be bombed away
In 1966, the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, France and China not only were the only countries that possessed nuclear weapons, they also had enough wisdom to recognise the dangers posed by nuclear proliferation. Despite their many and deep political differences, they arrived at a consensus to halt the further dissemination of 'nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices'. Under the resulting 1970 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), non-nuclear states agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and to accept International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards on all their nuclear activities. In return, the five nuclear states committed to negotiate 'in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race ... and to nuclear disarmament'. With 191 signatories, the treaty is the most widely adopted international agreement after the United Nations Charter. The only countries not to adhere to it were India, Pakistan and Israel. Each went on to develop nuclear weapons. North Korea, which initially joined the treaty, later withdrew to build its own nuclear arsenal. The five original nuclear states did not keep their end of the bargain regarding disarmament. On the contrary, they have been using AI and other technologies to modernise their arsenals. The world's nuclear warheads total more than 12,000 and have become the pre-eminent sign of a country's power and prestige. Just listen to Russia's leaders. Throughout its war in Ukraine, Russia has brandished its nuclear arsenal as a badge of invincibility. It knows that the risk of a nuclear holocaust will deter all other powers from challenging the country directly. Similarly, because North Korea has armed itself with nuclear weapons, the US has taken a softer approach in dealing with it — relying on diplomacy and economic incentives. Learn more By contrast, in Libya, Muammar Gaddafi agreed to abandon his nascent nuclear programme and ended up dead following a Nato aerial campaign against his regime. Worse, there is now only one nuclear arms control treaty between Russia and the US; and it is due to expire next February. The most powerful deterrent for any state is possession of nuclear weapons or membership in an alliance that offers a nuclear umbrella (like Nato). Around 30 states either have nuclear weapons or enjoy such protection. The rest of the world, meanwhile, must hope that the nuclear powers remain on their best behaviour. The situation is especially fraught in the Middle East, a region plagued by wars, violence, instability and a lack of comprehensive security arrangements. Add the fact that Israel is the only state in the region known to have nuclear weapons and you have the makings for chronic insecurity. The wild card, of course, has been Iran. It has endured violence and tumult since the 1950s, when a US- and British-organised coup ousted the country's first democratically elected government. In the 1980s, Iraq attacked Iran with the support of Western powers and neighbouring countries determined to crush its fledgling Islamist regime. Following eight years of brutal violence, with Iraq deploying chemical weapons extensively, the Islamic Republic came to the predictable conclusion that it needs to master nuclear-weapons technology. After a period of sanctions, then US president Barack Obama decided to pursue diplomacy. The idea was to use economic incentives and various technical measures to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and pressure it to reveal its past undeclared nuclear activities. These were the main features of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council — China, Russia, France, Britain and the US — plus Germany and the EU signed in 2015. This framework was functioning as intended, with full compliance by Iran, until US president Donald Trump abruptly withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018. Arguing that the plan of action was only a stopgap measure, Trump insisted on a deal that would control not only Iran's nuclear programme but also its 'disruptive' activities in the Middle East — including its support for Hamas, Hezbollah and the Ansar Allah in Yemen. As a result, Iran refused to implement some of the plan of action's key inspection measures and started to enrich uranium to a level approaching weapons-grade. When Trump returned to the White House this year, he demanded that Iran 'surrender' its right to enrichment altogether. Following a few rounds of desultory talks between the US and Iran, Israel and the US — lacking credible evidence of a nuclear-weapons programme — launched their illegal attack against Iranian nuclear and military targets. The ostensible aim was to destroy all of Iran's nuclear fuel-cycle facilities, though there have also been murmurings about triggering regime change in Iran. This is a stark reminder of the rationale for the similarly illegal military interventions in Iraq and Libya. The root cause of nuclear proliferation is a state's sense of insecurity or aspiration to increase its power and influence. Iran's focus on nuclear capability stems from a yearning to prevent foreign interference, a sensitivity to the region's security imbalance and a desire to be recognised as a regional power. The only solution to Middle East nuclear proliferation is to engage in dialogue based on mutual respect, meaningful security assurances (which can be achieved through stringent technical and inspection protocols) and economic incentives (be it the threat of sanctions or a promise to lift them). Since knowledge cannot be 'obliterated', bombing your way to a deal will invariably prove counter-productive. It simply threatens to bring our world one step closer to nuclear Armageddon. Copyright Project Syndicate, 2025
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens' sixth-round pick may be the best addition NFL experts are ignoring
Ravens' sixth-round pick may be the best addition NFL experts are ignoring Ravens' sixth-round pick LaJohntay Wester could be the biggest steal of the 2025 NFL Draft. The NFL Draft has been described as a selection meeting, a crap shoot, and an inexact science. Truthfully, it's all of those things. The Baltimore Ravens spend an entire year preparing for the next one once the current version wraps. No one knows for certain how prospects will turn out. One never knows if a first-rounder is a 'bust' or a late-rounder is a 'steal'. Heat must be applied to find an answer, and once the kettle is turned up, that heat forges lumps of coal into diamonds. Or, at least, that's what the drafting team is hoping. Every coin has two sides. Winning and losing come draft time with a prospect can, at times, feel like flipping one. We've learned as we have grown. Heat and pressure can also burst pipes, and when it comes to surviving in the NFL, these young draftees would certainly rather be a diamond. The good news for Ravens fans is as follows. Baltimore has traditionally been one of pro football's top drafting teams. The 2025 class is an exciting bunch, featuring a star in the making (Malaki Starks) and possibly the best late-round pick that no one is discussing. Ravens fans and the Baltimore media will want to familiarize themselves with LaJohntay Wester immediately Expectations are a part of the draft-day experience. First and second-rounders are expected to contribute immediately or, as a worst-case scenario, they are expected to sit early and develop into starters later. The mid-round prospects are often where the meat of a roster is built. Talent is hopefully found at bargain prices. Once teams reach Day 3, Round 6 and 7 in particular, the hope is that the drafting team gets lucky and finds the aforementioned steal. The Baltimore Ravens may have found one. Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on LaJohntay Wester, and jot his name down if you haven't already done so. The general public probably best knows Wester for his single season in Colorado. He played for the Buffaloes under 'Coach Prime', Deion Sanders, but it was his previous season with the Florida Atlantic Owls that put him on the NCAA's radar. He led the American Athletic Conference with 108 receptions, 1,168 yards receiving, en route to eight receiving TDs. He also led the AAC with 278 punt return yards, a 19.9 yards-per-return average, and a punt return TD. For his efforts, he was named AAC Special Teams Player of the Year, a First-team All-AAC nod, and a 2023 First-Team All-American. Competition matters. Some saw Wester's achievements as the product of playing in a lesser conference vs. lesser competition. By stepping up his game and joining the Big 12 Conference, he proved he could still flourish, stacking 74 receptions, 931 yards receiving. and ten TDs in 13 games. Wester fielded nine punts for Colorado last season. The results of those efforts were 108 return yards and another score. Baltimore selected him 203rd overall during Round 6 of last year's draft. The hope is that his skill set will translate. Fear not. There is a good chance that it will. Wester proved he can be an early contributor during OTAs. He worked on fielding punts. He has taken snaps at wide receiver, becoming a fan favorite. Ravens running backs coach Willie Taggart was FAU's head coach from 2020-22. There, he mentored Wester for three seasons. Wouldn't you know it? Chuck Pagano's return isn't the only Ravens reunion that fans and the media will have an opportunity to fawn over. OTAs brought a lot of padless work in shorts, so it's hard to diagnose what should be gauged by what was presented there. It doesn't seem like Wester has much competition for a punt returner's role, so if he continues to prove himself, that may provide some early opportunities to make a name for himself and battle on Baltimore's roster as a special-teams player. From there, we'll see what happens. He's off to a good start. If he keeps this up, he figures to earn a spot on the roster and potentially contribute early.
USA Today
14-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Baltimore Ravens rookie LaJohntay Wester receiving one-on-one coaching from John Harbaugh
AI-assisted summary Former Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester, a sixth-round NFL draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens, is impressing coaches with his special-teams play. Wester has been working closely with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh on improving his punt return skills during OTAs and minicamp. While primarily drafted for special teams, Wester's performance and coaching interactions could lead to a larger offensive role. Wester's impressive punt return statistics at Florida Atlantic earned him the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023. While most eyes have been on former Colorado stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter through the NFL's offseason programs, a few Buffs have gone under the radar, including the speedy receiver LaJohntay Wester. Wester was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft and is expected to be an immediate playmaker on special teams, making his transition to the pros promising. With this combination of size and explosiveness, along with his toughness, Wester has been turning heads throughout OTAs and minicamp, even getting some one-on-one coaching from Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh. Harbaugh was spotted giving some advice to Wester that should help tune his return skills. The two spoke during drills, with Harbaugh coaching Wester on ball-tracking skills and drills he can use to improve his technique. Wester went on to implement those drills, improving with each punt he caught. In his lone season at Colorado, Wester had nine punt returns, with a 76-yard return against Utah, and averaged 12 yards per return. In his time with Florida Atlantic, however, he had carved out a role as a special teamer, returning 14 punts for 278 yards and one touchdown in 2023, earning him the American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year. Though he is pegged as a special-teams contributor, his performance and rapport with Harbaugh could give him a broader role. Wester will still need to prove himself on Baltimore's special teams, especially as a sixth-round pick, to gain a larger role on the Ravens' offense. However, showing out during the offseason is a step in the right direction. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle With training camp around the corner, Wester has laid a strong foundation. While nothing is guaranteed, his willingness to learn and apply feedback from Harbaugh speaks volumes to his character. Contact/Follow us@BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Todd McShay sparks major buzz regarding Baltimore Ravens rookie
When you're the smallest guy in the room, you better be the toughest. That's exactly the attitude LaJohntay Wester is bringing to Baltimore — and ESPN's Todd McShay says NFL fans, especially Colorado Buffaloes faithful, shouldn't underestimate what he can become. Wester, a sixth-round pick (No. 203 overall) by the Ravens, stands just 5'10' and 163 pounds. But McShay isn't concerned. In fact, while speaking on his own podcast, The McShay Show, he let it be known he's bullish on Wester's NFL chances. 'He's a tough little nugget, man,' McShay said. 'This guy's going to get in there with the Ravens receiver room… and he's going to look around and be like, 'Hey, I can play on this team.'' Ravens fans may not know him yet, but Colorado certainly does. After transferring from Florida Atlantic — where he posted 108 receptions in 2023 (second-most in the FBS) — Wester quickly became one of Coach Prime's most trusted weapons. In his lone season in Boulder, Wester logged 74 receptions for 931 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging nearly 13 yards per catch. Advertisement While much of the national spotlight stayed on Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, McShay saw something different. 'If they were double teaming or rolling coverage to Travis Hunter, [Wester] showed up,' he said. 'He's been doing it for a while. Just nobody knew about it.' Baltimore's wide receiver room is crowded — but not impenetrable. Zay Flowers is locked in. Rashod Bateman has battled injuries. DeAndre Hopkins is 32 and nearing the end of his career. The fourth-leading wideout in receptions last year? Tylen Wallace — with just 10 catches. Colorado Buffalos wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (10) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium.© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images McShay made it clear: there's a role Wester can claim. He's quicker than fast, slippery in space, and built for big moments in small windows. And in an offense designed for creative mismatches, he might be exactly what Lamar Jackson didn't know he needed. Advertisement Buffs fans watched Wester shine when it mattered most. Now, with the Ravens looking for production beyond their stars, it might be time for the rest of the league to finally notice. Related: Shedeur Sanders' shows true colors at Browns minicamp Related: Real reason Shilo Sanders signed with Tampa Bay Buccaneers revealed
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens 167-Pound Rookie Poised to Make Immediate Impact
The Baltimore Ravens didn't have a lot of glaring needs in the draft coming off an impressive 12-5 campaign that saw them win the competitive AFC North. But an apparent shortcoming in the kick return game in the saw general manager Eric DeCosta address special teams in Green Bay at the 2025 NFL Draft. Advertisement DeCosta and the Ravens took Colorado wideout and kick returner LaJohntay Wester in the sixth round with the No. 203 overall pick after the team ranked 16th in the league with just a 9.7-yard average punt return across four different players used. Wester told reporters he takes his return game as seriously as he takes pass receiving. "I kind of took it serious then, and I got comfortable with it, took it with the same seriousness as I take receiving," Wester said per the Ravens' website. "In Little League, I always had the quickness, the moves. I just got bigger, stronger, faster, more confident. Now, I'm putting it all together now for the big-time league." Wester showed a proficiency for returning punts with 23 returns for 386 yards and two touchdowns. That's an average of 16.8 yards per try. Advertisement He was named AAC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023 at Florida Atlantic before transferring to the Big 12 and the Buffaloes. "At the end of the day, in my eyes, it was just me making a play," Wester said. "To other people, it was a clutch play. And they probably would never imagine a guy like me, a small guy, to be able to make a big-time play like that. But to me, it's nothing new. I'm very confident in my game." Like most draftees, it was a dream come true when he heard his name called in Green Bay. "When I got that call, man, all I could say is, 'L.J., we on the way,'" Wester said. "I couldn't have been drafted to a better situation. I'm just overly blessed to be in this position and be here in Baltimore." Advertisement Last season at Colorado, Wester averaged 12.2 yards per punt return, including a 76-yard touchdown. That's something the Ravens need regularly if they expect to compete again for the top spot in the AFC postseason in 2025. Related: Ravens Trade for $97 Million Backup in Risky Prediction Related: Ravens Announcement on Tucker Move Condemned By ESPN
