The Editors of The New Republic have weighed in on US envoy to the Sudan, Scott Gration. Their verdict: “Scott Gration is an embarrassment.” Ouch.
The Editors of The New Republic have weighed in on US envoy to the Sudan, Scott Gration. Their verdict: “Scott Gration is an embarrassment.” Ouch.
Political instability tends to emanate outward. In Guinea, for example, clearly the country’s political crisis begins in Conakry with a tale of political power struggles and infighting that soon turned toward violence and ultimately massacres. But radiating from those high-level clashes are consequences that batter an already suffering populace. The political strife augments and exacerbates […]
When Jacob Zuma first rose to the South African presidency many feared that among the changes he would implement would be to reduce the role of Trevor Manuel. Instead Manuel, long considered among the very best, most effective South African politicians, seems to have had his role augmented. Finance Minister from 1996 to Zuma’s ascension […]
More than a few viewers were caught off-guard Wednesday night when Lou Dobbs announced the broadcast would be his last on CNN. The self-described “defender of the working man” has been a vocal critic of Hispanic immigration and international trade since 9/11. Instead of informed analysis, Dobbs’ commentaries often reverted to racism and showed an […]
Musharaff gives an interview using unkind words for Zardari and Ch. Nisar defends Zardari. Really? Ch. Nisar has two passions (if you read what he has been saying after he became the opposition leader): attacking every Zardari and attacking everything America. Therefore, it was very strange to read that Ch. Nisar huffed and puffed about […]
Looks like a conflict that started out as a local civil war in the Northern Yemen is now turning to a full proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The feud involves the Shiite Houthi clan supported by Iran and the Sunni Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia. In October, Yemeni officials supposedly seized an […]
The Alaska Wilderness League organized a trip to the nation’s capital this week to lobby the Obama administration against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and in offshore areas. Sarah James, an elder of the Gwich’in nation, was one of the leaders of the delegation. She traveled all the way from Arctic Village, […]
The Russian government may not have a stellar judicial record, as Khodorkovsky can confirm. Yet the fact that he is alive at all he owes to his country’s even worse democratic record. You see, whereas “a recent survey shows around two thirds of Russians support the death penalty”, Medvedev and the Kremlin apparat are committed […]
The envelope, please . . . And the winner for African President of the Year goes to . . . Jacob Zuma. And you know what? He probably deserves it. Zuma has defied expectations from left and right, seems to be steering South Africa through a (yes, left-of) middle way, and has seemingly overcome his […]
Generally, when we conjure up thoughts on the potential downfall of Israel, we consider images of an Iranian nuclear weapon striking the heart of Tel Aviv, increases in terror that would make the land unlivable for Jews, or even the existential threat of non-Jewish Arabs overtaking Jews as the majority. However, another formidable foe should […]
After five months of fierce negotiations, Lebanon finally has a cabinet. Prime Minister Rafik Hariri announced Monday that the final details had been worked out and that parties had a come to an agreement. Lebanon’s deep sectarian divides provided ample obstacles during the negotiation process, but many thought that the biggest barriers to a national […]
Happy Veteran’s Day! In honor of all American vets, and the foreign vets who have fought by our side in many wars, especially in Afghanistan, I would like to highlight President Obama’s Ft. Hood Memorial speech. Obama’s Memorial speech was one of his best and he really touched on why/how special the US military has […]
I’m not beyond a little hagiography, especially when it comes to Nelson Mandela. The New York Times recently published a nice profile of Madiba, “Mandela Endures as South Africa’s Ideal.” There are worse questions one can ask, especially for those figures in public life, than “What would Madiba do?”
Last month, Iran was shaken by a suicide attack in its province, Sistan Baluchestan. The attack killed more than 42 people, including 15 members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Here is an Al Jazeera report that examines the root causes of discontent in this province: [kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/bySZvaQMv5w” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /] The report reveals that lack […]